Jump to content
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Need Opinions


Suffering

Recommended Posts

Suffering Newbie

So I need opinions. I'm a 28 year old female. I have suffered terrible stomach problems for about 6 years. I just recently started see a GI about my symptoms because the became so unbearable. My issue is that my symptoms come and go. They'll start and last 6 weeks or so and then get better (don't go completely away) for about a month but during that 6 weeks they're unbearable. I get such bad stomach pain between my belly button and rib cage. Most of the time I end up throwing up but I know if it's cuz of the pain or just another symptom. I have never really correlated it with particular food as it happen everytime I eat. I get really sweaty, heartburn, dizzy, my stomach bloats terrible and I get extremely fatigued. I have always thought it was an ulcer. But the pain feels like my intestines are eating themselves. I get diarrhea but only a couple times a day.

I've had a CT and an abdominal ultrasound which were negative. Then my friend mentioned celiac. I had never thought of that (I'm a nurse so that's crazy). She pointed out that I'm always complaining of my bones hurting like growing pains which is true I feel like my bones ache like when I have the flu. And I get these blisters on my fingers, I always thought the were cold sores on my fingers. I never related these issues to my stomach problems. Anyways my symptoms are at a good point right now. I get slight stomach aches, nothing like it is when it "flares" up. But I also get these sharp stabbing pains, mild, but they're right under my rib cage.

I also have terrible heartburn most of the time. I am scheduled for a colonoscopy and egd next week.

Are these symptoms related to what anyone else has experienced with celiac?


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



moosemalibu Collaborator

I had stabbing abdominal pain, bloating, fatigue and diarrhea (just to name a few). Get tested for Celiac. It certainly cannot hurt. 

WinterSong Community Regular

In short, definitely get tested. Many of your symptoms could be Celiac-related. 

gary'sgirl Explorer

Reading your symptoms first brought to mind "gallbladder attack", in particular the pain that you describe under the rib cage. Is it more to the left or right? I had pain under my mid to right rib cage when I was having gallbladder attacks.

But it might not be gallbladder, if it is though, that doesn't rule out Celiac or gluten sensitivity. My gallbladder problems where because of having celiac disease.

 

Hope you can figure it out soon. Hang in there!

Suffering Newbie

Reading your symptoms first brought to mind "gallbladder attack", in particular the pain that you describe under the rib cage. Is it more to the left or right? I had pain under my mid to right rib cage when I was having gallbladder attacks.

But it might not be gallbladder, if it is though, that doesn't rule out Celiac or gluten sensitivity. My gallbladder problems where because of having celiac disease.

 

Hope you can figure it out soon. Hang in there!

Yes that was my first thought to but it's been ruled out.

GFinDC Veteran

Hi S,

 

Yes, your symptoms do sound like celiac disease.   You should get blood drawn for a full celiac antibodies panel.  Be sure to keep eating gluten (wheat, rye, barley) until your celiac disease testing is complete.  Other tests you should consider are a bone density scan and vitamin and mineral levels.

Suffering Newbie

Hi S,

 

Yes, your symptoms do sound like celiac disease.   You should get blood drawn for a full celiac antibodies panel.  Be sure to keep eating gluten (wheat, rye, barley) until your celiac disease testing is complete.  Other tests you should consider are a bone density scan and vitamin and mineral levels.

So I'm have an upper and lower go next Wednesday. Do you think I should still do the blood work or wait for my result from the scopes? I'm kinda torn on it.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



pricklypear1971 Community Regular

OMG yes. Me. My autoimmune stuff cycles. One reason I never correlated it with what I ate.

Yes, full antibody panels NOW. Make sure they do celiac biopsies, not just a look.

NoGlutenCooties Contributor

So I'm have an upper and lower go next Wednesday. Do you think I should still do the blood work or wait for my result from the scopes? I'm kinda torn on it.

 

If it were me I would have them run the full Celiac panel of bloodtests NOW.  Regardless of how the biopsy comes back you're going to want the bloodtest.  So why not get them both done now and then go gluten-free to see if you feel better?  Once the bloodtests and the biopsy are out of the way I can't think of any reason why not to go ahead and go gluten-free while you're waiting for the test results.

Suffering Newbie

Thanks soo much for all the replies! I called and got the blood test ordered today. So first thing tomorrow I'll get them done. Hopefully they don't take to long. I plan to go gluten free right away after my biopsies are done regardless. I'll update my results as soon as I get them!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Donate

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Recent Activity

    1. - Theresa2407 replied to Theresa2407's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      2

      Probiotics

    2. - KathyR37 replied to KathyR37's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      2

      New here

    3. - Scott Adams replied to KathyR37's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      2

      New here

    4. - KathyR37 posted a topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      2

      New here

    5. - Scott Adams replied to Colleen H's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      3

      Celiac attack confusion and anxiety


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,811
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Taraceliacmama
    Newest Member
    Taraceliacmama
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Theresa2407
      thank you for your advice.   I have always taken them and I use Stonehedge because they are in a glass bottle, but don't have to be refrigerated.  I also like they are 3rd party tested and state gluten free. But you never know if something better has come alone over the years.
    • KathyR37
      Thank you for your response. I have already learned about the info you sent but i appreciate your effort. I am the only one in my family cursed by this disease. I have to cook for them too. I make sure that my utensils are free of gluten and clean after using them for other food. I use non-porous pots and pans and  gloves when cooking for them. One huge problem I have is a gag reflex out of this world and if something doesn't taste good it is not going down. Most commercially made breads and such taste like old cardboard.Pastas are about the same. I did find one flour that I like and use it regularly, but it is so expensive! All gluten free food is way more expensive. I only eat twice a day because I cannot afford to buy all that. We live on a very low income so my food purchases are quite limited.
    • Scott Adams
      What you've described—the severe weight loss, the cycle of medications making things worse, and the profound fear of eating before leaving the house—is a heavy burden to carry for 15 years. It is absolutely not your fault. While everyone's journey with celiac is different, the struggles with the learning curve, social isolation, and dietary grief are feelings many in the community know all too well. Your question about whether you should just eat what you want and manage the symptoms is a heartbreaking one, born from years of frustration. It's crucial to know that the diarrhea is a sign of ongoing damage to your small intestine from gluten, and simply managing the symptom with Imodium doesn't stop that internal harm or the risk of other complications. The fact that you are still getting sick within an hour of eating, even while trying to be gluten-free, is a huge red flag that something isn't right. This could be due to cross-contamination in your kitchen (e.g., using a shared toaster, colander, or condiment jars), hidden gluten in foods, or the possibility of another concurrent condition like refractory celiac disease. Don't give up!  This article has some detailed information on how to be 100% gluten-free, so it may be helpful (be sure to also read the comments section.):    
    • KathyR37
      I am new here but celiac disease is not new to me. I was diagnosed with it at age 60. At the time I weighed a whopping 89 pounds. I was so ignorant to celiac so I buried myself in learning all about it and looking for food I could eat. I lost so much weight and stayed sick all the time. So to combat the sickness I was give all sorts of meds for loose bowels and vomiting. All that just made me sicker. Eventually I chucked it all and went back to eating like I had all my life. Now I am from the south and biscuits and gravy are a big part of our food, as are breaded foods, pasta, and sandwich bread. Through the years I would try to do the gluten free thing again and am doing it now. It has not helped any. Within and hour of eating I have to run to the bathroom. I am now 75 and am wondering if I should just forget it and eat what I like, take Immodium and live the best I can. I cannot eat before going anywhere for fear of embarrassing myself. Family and church dinners are out of the question unless I eat and run straight home. I am so frustrated I just want to sit down and cry or throw something. Does everyone go through all this?
    • Scott Adams
      This article, and the comments below it, may be helpful:    
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.