Newbie Here...need Help

[Laurazee]

Hello! My name is Laura, i am new here. This seems like a very nice group of people who seem to help each other alot. thats what I need. Right now I am not sure I have Celiac disease. This whole year (2005) has been a blur of abdominal pain for me. Before that, I have been bloated and nauseated for years on and off.

I had c.difficile in January which I got from my long term use of antibiotics for Lyme disease. I have been tested for food allergies, and have none except for brewer's yeast. I had a digestive workup done through Greak Smokies Labs (CDSA test)

Right now I am considering ordering a gluten kit test from Enterolab. I am not sure if I should though. I have seen 3 GI docs in the past year. i have had colonoscopy, endoscopy etc. I have been diagnosed as having lymphocytic colitis and IBS. I basically think that ther term IBS, is just that BS, because its just a cluster of symptoms that they label a syndrome, and not an actual disease. I am a determined person and I like to get to the CAUSE of things.

I feel that I may have Celiac disease. I bloat like crazy when I eat wheat and I crave it. My current symptoms are:

Abdominal pain and cramping

alternating diahrrea and constiation

cold sweats

bloating

gurgling stomach

major reflux and stomach pain

gas pains

inability to digest fruits and veggies

dizziness and lightheadedness

Any advice would be great! Thank you in advance if anybody can help point me in the right direction as far as testing for this etc. Any good doctors or GI's would be a great help too. I live near Albany, New York.

All the best,

LAURA :-)

[nettiebeads]

Abdominal pain and cramping

alternating diahrrea and constiation

cold sweats

bloating

gurgling stomach

major reflux and stomach pain

gas pains

inability to digest fruits and veggies

dizziness and lightheadedness

All the best,

LAURA :-)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You may have celiac disease, or at the least a gluten insensitivity. What I do remember pre-dx was not only the D but the painful, painful gas. And constipation is a symptom of celiac disease, but I didn't think it was for IBS. And I agree with you - it's easier for drs to say syndrom than find out if it's an actual disease.

According to other members, money on Enterolab is money well spent. Besides that, the test is non-invasive. I sure would prefer that to a biopsy of the small intestine. Has any dr. ordered a celiac panel? Have you tried the gluten-free diet just to see what you felt like on that? Hope you have answers soon so you can start healing.

[Laurazee]

Thank you for the reply.

I saw my GI yesterday and she ordered a Celiac Panel. I hope this will give me the results I need. In the meantime, does anyone have a good diet for celiac disease. i need to go shop for new things now. I should try it out right?

[nettiebeads]

Thank you for the reply.

I saw my GI yesterday and she ordered a Celiac Panel. I hope this will give me the results I need. In the meantime, does anyone have a good diet for celiac disease. i need to go shop for new things now. I should try it out right?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would recommend the gluten-free diet, but not until the blood is drawn. Then go home and start it right away. It's really pretty simple in theory - do not ingest wheat, wheat products, barley, barley products (malt), rye and unless you can get 100%guaranteed non cross-contaminated oats, stay away from them too. Now for the hard part - wheat is everywhere!!! Fortunately with the food labeling laws, it's getting a little easier. For starters, most people go with plain meats and veggies and fruits. The closer to nature the better. Stay away from meats with flavoring - lots of the flavorings include soy sauce made with - you guessed it - wheat. Just about any item that has flour in it for thickening can use cornstarch for substitution.

How close are you to a health food store? There's a wealth of information online, online shopping for foodstuffs and cookbooks. Read through older threads for ideas for cooking and coping. Best of luck; hope your troubles will soon be over!