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Allium Intolerance Really Celiac Disease?

Jerseybean

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Jerseybean Newbie
Jerseybean
Posted

Hi all, 

 

Just looking for a bit of knowledge and/or confirmation from you experienced folks!

 

I've had a lifelong reaction to garlic, but didn't realise I was actually intolerant to garlic until I was mid teens. I then didn't realise that all of the onion family affect me very badly until I was 27! By this point my symptoms (extreme bloating, acid reflux, mouth ulcers, abdominal pain, IBS) were near constant, my reaction to the onion family had gotten worse and worse over time. I had also developed GERD so then had to exclude a whole array of other foods from my diet. (tomatoes, peppers, alcohol, citrus or anything acidic, etc)

 

I have a family history of gallbladder problems, IBS and Crohn's disease. Although neither of these things are strongly suspected in me.

 

I've had numerous blood tests for a variety of things, including calprotectin (negative) and the blood test for celiacs (also negative). I am not anaemic either. I was on Omaprazole for 12 months (worked a bit) and Ranitidine for 6 months (Not very good at all...)

 

After waiting 18 months!!! I finally had a gastroscopy yesterday...

 

Apparently after 17hrs fasting my stomach was sloshing full of acid. My oesophagus is normal, my stomach looked normal, my stomach biopsy showed me as negative for H. pylori.

The nurse then took a look at my duodenum before taking two biopsies, she immediately noted that it was smooth and afterwards gave me a gluten free diet sheet and told me that she thinks I am an asymptomatic celiac and my other intolerances would likely clear up over time if I go gluten free...

 

Soooo... sound familiar to anyone? 

 

I felt immediately scared that I would have to struggle to eat even more than ever before. But a colleague said this morning that I'd be swapping a relatively rare digestive problem for one that is almost "mainstream" and catered for. Not sure how to feel basically. :D

 

 

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Fenrir Community Regular
Fenrir
Posted

Very well could be Celiac. In a case like yours the only way to know for sure is do a gluten-free trial and see if you feel better. There are a small number of people who can have all the tests done and stil come up negative but still either have a celiac or a sensativity to gluten.

Jerseybean Newbie
Jerseybean
Posted
  • Author

It's all starting to come together though.

In January 2013 as yet more symptoms surfaced and I saw my doctor for my fourth sinus infection in three months, I said to him "I can't help feeling that all of these weird symptoms have to be something underlying". At which point he said "I know it's hard but I promise in six months time you won't have any ongoing health problems" LOL (changed doctors obviously.)

 

My laundry list goes like this;

- Erythema nodosum

- Canker sores

- Raynaud’s (primarily in my feet + chilblains)

- GERD

- Allium intolerance

- Cracks at mouth corners (occasionally)

- Gas/extreme bloating (only when eating trigger foods)

- Running nose (constant)

- Bleeding gums

- Scalloped tongue

- Painful bumps on tongue (occasional)

- Dishydrotic eczema 

- Benign fasciculation syndrome

- permanent chapped lips

- Obsessive thirst

- TMJ syndrome (jaw clenching day and night)

- Overgrown cuticles and breaking skin on fingers

- Brittle peeling nails

- Anxiety

- Headaches 

- Extreme sugar cravings

- Sinusitis repeatedly

- Very vivid dreams

 

All at 28 :D It's all downhill from here lol

Fenrir Community Regular
Fenrir
Posted

 

All at 28 :D It's all downhill from here lol

Yeah, that's what my wife says about me and i'm 36.

 

I have joint issues, teeth issues, memory issues......ect. All are supposed to be old people things I guess.

Jerseybean Newbie
Jerseybean
Posted
  • Author

Very well could be Celiac. In a case like yours the only way to know for sure is do a gluten-free trial and see if you feel better. There are a small number of people who can have all the tests done and stil come up negative but still either have a celiac or a sensativity to gluten.

 

I've now read a paper or two that suggest calprotectin is a poor test for Celiac's anyway. I'm due back in clinic in six weeks to discuss my biopsy results in depth with the lady who did my gastroscopy, she seemed as convinced as she could be by the appearance of my duodenum and past history. 

 

I will almost be happy if it is confirmed because I will finally have a path to follow, I've been fighting alone and trying to manage my problems for so long!

 

Thanks Fenrir, hope it all goes well for you too x

Fenrir Community Regular
Fenrir
Posted

I've now read a paper or two that suggest calprotectin is a poor test for Celiac's anyway. I'm due back in clinic in six weeks to discuss my biopsy results in depth with the lady who did my gastroscopy, she seemed as convinced as she could be by the appearance of my duodenum and past history. 

 

I will almost be happy if it is confirmed because I will finally have a path to follow, I've been fighting alone and trying to manage my problems for so long!

 

Thanks Fenrir, hope it all goes well for you too x

Chances are if the gastro doc says by looking at your duodenum that she thinks you have Celiac it is correct. Biopsies can be false negative but if the doctor can tell you have it before even seeing the biopsy results it's about as good a diagnosis as you're going to get.

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

Can not wait to hear about your test results in six weeks. Sorry to say, that it is doubtful that you will recover the ability to eat garlic. I can not it eat it or any of the family even after going gluten free. I still am allergic to milk and nuts. I can eat eggs now in baked goods. Let's hope things are different for you!

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