Celiac Symptoms But Doctor Doesnt Believe In Food Intolerances

[Jo1977]

Im sorry if there has already been lots of posts about this but Im seeing my doctor tomorrow & I want to make sure I know all of my facts & what to ask for!!!

 

I have lots of celiac symptoms (bad stomachs, extreme tiredness, pms, swollen hands, ibs, restless legs, sort eyes, swollen tongue, mucus down my throat, chest pains, joint pains, red cheeks etc!!  I have been gluten free for nearly 2 weeks & feel so much better - the main thing is I no longer feel depressed!

 

When I last saw my doctor (Ive been going recently due as I binge eat on chocolate & feeling ill) I asked about food intolerances but he didn't think it was that & wanted more blood tests to rule out thyroid & diabetes etc & if they all come back fine then he would think about referring me for psychiatric help!!!

 

Ive already had the basic blood test a few times & its always come back negative.  Now Ive think about it I don't know if that could be because I cant eat cereal without getting a sore stomach & hardly eat bread.  I also don't have much crisps, cakes or biscuits (my logic that makes me think I can eat more chocolate as Im not eating other bad foods!!!!).

 

The thought of eating gluten again for more tests scares me (I had bread yesterday & even though I didn't get a bad stomach my mood has gone down again, headaches, sore eyes & extremely tired again) but my 7 year old son seems to be going the same way as me so would like to get this sorted for him (& maybe my 2 year old) & to also show everyone Im not a hypochondriac & have been ill for the last 14 years (even though I think it has been for longer).

 

Any advice on how to convince my doctor to do more tests would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Jo

[cyclinglady]

You certainly may have Celiacs; however, you must be eating gluten before any celiac testing.  Wait until the results of your thyroid panel (did the doc order a thyroid antibody test?) and diabetes test.  Then you can push for the celiac blood test.  Are you anemic or have other deficiencies?  I'm sure others on this site can go into more depth.

 

YOU MAY HAVE AN INTOLERANCE/ALLERGY TO CHOCOLATE!  Sad, but true.  The very foods we crave and adore, are the foods we shouldn't eat.  I should know, because my husband can not eat chocolate!   He's been gluten free for 12 years but still has the chocolate intolerance.  I don't feel so bad for him since I'm gluten free, plus I'm  allergic to eggs, dairy, nuts, garlic and mushrooms.  Ugh!

 

By the way, his chocolate symptoms are comparable to celiac symptoms.   Body aches, headaches, irritability, fatigue, feeling low, etc.  

 

Try to diversify your foods (fresh whole foods).  We tend to eat the same old foods day in and day out.  Maintain a food diary.  It can be helpful in identifying foods that bother you.

 

Good Luck!

[Gemini]

You need a new doctor.  Anyone who told me that I may need psychiatric help because of stomach problems and perceived binge eating would not be getting any more of my business.

Sometimes we crave foods that contain vitamins and minerals we are deficient of, without knowing that's the problem.  Also for the reasons that cyclinglady stated.  Please dump this turkey and find someone who listens and will do the testing you need!

[srall]

You need a new doctor.  Anyone who told me that I may need psychiatric help because of stomach problems and perceived binge eating would not be getting any more of my business.

Sometimes we crave foods that contain vitamins and minerals we are deficient of, without knowing that's the problem.  Also for the reasons that cyclinglady stated.  Please dump this turkey and find someone who listens and will do the testing you need!

 

 

You need a new doctor.  Anyone who told me that I may need psychiatric help because of stomach problems and perceived binge eating would not be getting any more of my business.

Sometimes we crave foods that contain vitamins and minerals we are deficient of, without knowing that's the problem.  Also for the reasons that cyclinglady stated.  Please dump this turkey and find someone who listens and will do the testing you need!

YES. 

[dilettantesteph]

I too agree with Gemini.  I would find a new doctor.

[Fire Fairy]

If at all possible get a new Doctor!

[w8in4dave]

That is just crazy!! I know my Dr. Doesn't believe mine is food either!! But I decided I don't need him to tell me what I already know!! I would really push the subject! Or like everyone eles is saying! Get a new Dr.!! He is saying "Your crazy"! Thats crazy in it's self! 

[mommida]

You need a refferal to a gastroenterologist.  Celiac and gluten intolerance symptoms do match a few other disorders.  (H. Ploryi infection, hernia, Eosinophilic disorders, parasite infection, and a few others)  An endoscopy with biopsy can help rule out or diagnose your illness.

 

I would love to visit your doctor and show him how food intolerance can produce projectile vomit in 15 minutes.

 

As for the case of Nuerologist consult...  they are storting to consider abdominal migraines.  To get this diagnoses, you have to have every type of testing done with negative results. (I did not opt for this testing for my daughter.  She was diagnosed with both Celiac and Eosinophilic Esophagitis.)

 

Other advice here is right on track.  Food journal, new doctor, and testing ASAP before going gluten free.  (if the diet helps you, you'll never willingly eat it again~testing is useless if you are already gluten free. You can be gentic tested at any time but it rarely used for a definative diagnoses.)

[BelleVie]

Find a new doctor. You deserve to have a doctor who respects you, who cares about you, and who takes you seriously. You aren't a child. You know your body and your symptoms. Listen to your intuition!