I need advice

[Amina82]

Hi guys...so back in July when I was diagnosed with fatty liver disease I went gluten free. In August my liver enzymes went down a lot. From October up until about two weeks ago, I was ingesting gluten in a spice I was using a lot.  I began to get my finger rashes, constipation and extreme anxiety. In November my liver enzynes went up a little. Now I'm only using things that  are marked gluten free. However, even though I'm certain that I'm gluten free I have a new rash on my finger. Could this be from slowly adding dairy (cream cheese and eggs ) over the past two weeks or could this be from the glutening that lasted from Oct up until 2 weeks ago? I see a GI doctor on Monday to see what's the next step. . I did buy spices from Natures Promise, they are not marked gluten free but I called the company and they said these spices are gluten free. This current rash is not severe like ones I had in the past but I have it. The other thing is I live in a gluten filled house. I'm worried that maybe I'm being glutened somehow still. 

[cristiana]

Hi Amina

I guess if we live in gluten filled houses cc is always a possibility.  

There again, it is possible it has nothing to do with it - maybe it is just a rash caused by something else.  Eczema?

It is easy to attribute everything to gluten but sometimes gluten isn't the culprit .  A different set of symptoms but a few months post DX I got terrible dizziness - felt like I was walking on board a ship - and so I tried my best to be as gluten free as I possibly could.  I eventually summoned the courage to see a specialist feeling sure an MRI scan would turn up some neurological problem associated with gluten, only to find out I had a condition called cervical dizziness caused by whiplash, the mri clearly showed my neck was in a complete mess and affecting my balance.   

So you are doing absolutely the right thing seeing a GI specialist because you should start getting some definite answers.

Re: liver enzyme tests -  I get anxious about those as they have fluctuated a lot in the past.  I used to jump the gun every time my readings went up, imagining the worst, for them only to come down again.  I think gluten has been behind my odd readings but I am still not sure.    It is unsettling but I think googling symptoms has made me unnecessarily paranoid about the situation.    You may find yours will settle in time. 

 

 

[Amina82]

Thank you so much. The rash is not eczema a dermatologist ruled it out a few years ago. I have been left with many questions and no answers for a long time now. It's a very weird rash that really only comes around when I'm exposed to gluten. The liver enzymes have plagued me for some years now too. My primary seems certain it is Fatty liver but I'm terrified it's more. So here I go to the GI. 

[cristiana]

I totally understand your concerns.  I know with my own readings I might have another as yet undiscovered auto-immune problem, plus some other more undesirable things.  It can be scary contemplating what-if scenarios but I am trying to become a bit more disciplined and not go down that route so much as one thing for sure, it won't add any hours to my life worrying about it.  Easily said.  Not easily done necessarily.

What has comforted me to some degree is seeing how a cousin of mine who has weird readings just takes it in his stride.  I know two other people with similar problems and they don't give it any thought.  They are all doing fine too, the situation hasn't worsened.   Weir liver readings for different reasons but they all have something in common - they don't google!   I think some of us are just more anxious than others and google makes things worse.

Another thing I try to think is that lots of liver problems can be addressed and even reversed by following a good diet alone or with medication.  At least we know, too, that gluten can really skew readings for people with gluten issues - at least we have some inkling of what might be behind all of this.   

All the very best with your GI appointment.  I have another next week!

[Amina82]

Many thanks...I have driven myself inane with googling about the liver enzymes. I was in such a state of panic about it.. Hope to get some answers from the GI Doctor.