Don't Know Where To Start!

[mwaters50]

I am so glad I found this forum...I just discovered it tonight!  I am hoping you all can give me sound advice as to what to do...so, here is my "story":

 

A few years ago (at least 3), I started to have serious skin issues. I broke out head to toe in a rash that was so itchy, I couldn't stop scratching. I went to 5 different doctors to get a diagnosis of dyshidrosis. The "rash" is primarily on my hands, and it is rare that I do not have any sores on my hands. I also tend to break out on the underside of my arms, into my armpits a bit. The other issue I seem to have is constant diarrhea. I get the bloated, gassy, cramping feeling, and at times, don't even think I'm going to make it to a toilet (sorry if this is TMI.) I went to my doctor (PCP) about this too, and he said I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and I can take Imodium as needed. So, I live with Imodium in my purse, and at times, don't leave my house. I even wake up with diarrhea lately! So, two weeks ago, my dad insisted that I start on a probiotic. He bought me one with 15B active cultures per tablet. Well, it hasn't helped at all. So today, he started urging me to see another doctor and not to accept the diagnosis of IBS.

 

What do you all think? Reflecting back, the skin issues and digestive issues seem to have started at about the same time, but the stomach has gotten worse. I don't know if I'm vitamin or mineral deficient, although I do know that my body does not absorb folic acid, so I am always deficient. OH, I must edit this to add that I am fatigued ALL THE TIME! I could never take a nap before, now I can sleep at any time of day. Not sure if that makes any difference!

 

Should I be okay with IBS as a diagnosis or should I press further? Please help! I don't just want to jump into going gluten free, as I have 3 kids and a husband and that would be really difficult to do.

 

Thanks for any advice you could give me!

 

Megan

[SMRI]

Sure sounds like Celiac with DH.  Look on the DH board (skin rash) and see if it sounds like your rash.  I would make an appointment with a GI dr that specializes in Celiac.  If you are in the midwest, I'd go to Mayo or Chicago.  Don't change your diet until you undergo testing.  They will do bloodwork and probably an endoscope to start.

[mamaw]

Hello & welcome.....

 

It  sounds like  you  have  some  nasty issues  going on...I would  suggest  a new  doctor, call your  local hospital  & tell  them  what's  going  on  & then  they can refer  some names.....or check to see  if  there  is a  local  support  group for  gluten free  in your  area  & contact  them...they  would  share  a good  doctor  for you to see...

 

And  no matter  where  I went  to see  a doctor  I  would  ask  for  bloodwork & lots of  bloodwork.... CBC

 iron panel,   B-12, Vit D, tsh, t-3 t-4 total t-3 rt-3 Freet-3 Freet-4 , total  glucose, A1C, calcium,  ferritin , lipid  panel, for  starters.......

 

Plus  please remember  not  everyone  is dx'd  celiac  many have  ncgs ( non  celiac  gluten sensitivity)  where  the  elimination  diet  would  help  to show  if  gluten  is the  culprit.... either  way the outcome is the  same  a gluten-free  lifestyle  , 365  days a year  100%....

 

I  agree  with your  Dad  you need  digestive  enzymes (digest gold is a good one) &  lots of  probiotics.....taken  correctly....I also  would be  taking a good  multi   such  as  megafood for  women....they are gluten-free  & come  from  REAL foods....

Not to discourage  you but  it  at  times takes years  to  get  a proper  dx's .....

 

It  also  would help if  you gave  your  state & even the closest  big  city  so maybe  we  could direct  you to  a  good  resourse...

 

 

mamaw

[mwaters50]

By the way, I live in NJ and have access to healthcare in NYC or Phili.

[icelandgirl]

Hi Megan...sounds tough. I know that in the months leading up to my diagnosis I would wake up and have to run to the bathroom to have D. And that's such a bad feeling. ((Hugs)) to you.

Have you had any celiac testing done? If not I would request that. A full celiac panel plus a thyroid panel for sure. It certainly sounds like it could be that. Push for that testing to start. It's all just a blood draw and there's no reason for a Dr to not order it. Keep eating gluten until you get the testing...The equivalent of 1-2 slices of bread a day is recommended.

Until then, hang in there. I have a husband and 3 kids too...going gluten free isn't as hard as you think...you can do it. But get your testing done first! Take care of yourzelf!

[notme]

are you anywhere close to hackensack?  

[mwaters50]

are you anywhere close to hackensack?  

I am about an hour south of hackensack, but it is totally doable...do you recommend someone out of Hackensack Medical Center? That hospital has a wonderful reputation!

[mamaw]

NCFA does a lot of things in the Philly area...you can join their mailing online & they send out updates... Alice Bash is wonderful.... We have drove from the Pittsburgh area to Philly for some of their events... I don't know of any doctors in the Hackensack area ......