Celiac Without Intestinal Problems?

[Nick-incollege]

Hey guys,

 

Are you any of you celiac without the bowel problems? The biggest symptom of celiacs is gas/stool problems, which I have none of despite being very much a celiac. I only get: severe brain fog, fatigue, ravaged stomach/esophagus. Just wondering what other people are like/if this sounds weird to you guys

 

Nick

[Nick-incollege]

Also, my reaction pattern goes something like this: no symptoms for 16 hours. 2-3 days of severe brain fog/fatigue (stomach is fine these days) then this lifts and i get 1 week of a moderate to very upset stomach, and mild fatigue. A lot of people report immediate reactions, that only last a few hours, which scares me because that isn't what my celiac reactions are like!

[1desperateladysaved]

My main gripes before diagnosis were brain fog and fatigue.  Since I had a large family and plenty to do, nobody thought that these symptoms were something to look into!  Many doctors don't know these can be symptoms of celiac without diarrhea or extreme weight loss.  I have since I was diagnosed had my doubts, but many things line up pointed to celiac.  Even my family now believes me.  I do believe that brain fog and fatigue may be a reason to look into celiac.

 

D

[GFinDC]

Hi Nick,

 

Reactions with celiac can cover a very wide range.  Some people have no symptoms at all and they call that "silent celiac".  There are members who have silent celiac on the forum.  It just as serious as any other person's, but there are no symptoms.

 

Not everyone has symptoms right away.  A couple days delay is not real unusual.  Ongoing symptoms after a glutening can last days or weeks.  Also, symptoms can change over time.  People seem to have reactions to smaller amounts of gluten after being gluten-free for a while.

 

I am  not sure what you mean by "ravaged stomach"?  Maybe a little more descriptive explanation would help.

[NoGlutenCooties]

Hi Nick -

 

I was one of the asymptomatic Celiac folks - I didn't have any symptoms, intestinal or otherwise.  Yet my endoscopy showed moderate to severe villi damage.  I did however have osteopenia at 40.

I have been glutened once since going gluten-free and about 3 hours after ingesting a tiny taste of what turned out to be tabuli with bulgar wheat in it (vulgar bulgar) my stomach blew up like a balloon.  About an hour or so after that I woke up clammy and sweaty with chills like what you get with a flu bug or food poisoning.  The next day I had hot and cold spells and spent half the day shivering my butt off on the sofa under a blanket.  It took about 5 days to feel normal again.  I didn't have any bowel symptoms or an upset stomach but I think if I had taken a full bite of the stuff I probably would have.

(My glutening experience occurred after being gluten-free for just over 3 months.)

[GF Lover]

Hi Nick,

 

I can't stop myself from chiming in here.  Are you still drinking ANY alcohol at all?  This seems to be consistent with your drinking.  If you have stopped ALL alcohol, then possibly visit your Doctor for an antibody check, nutrient deficits and possible other autoimmune issues.  

I do hope you get this all sorted out.

 

Colleen