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

News: Celiac Disease - Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms Latest Topics: HELP (it has been a loooong 5 years)


Scott Adams

Recommended Posts

Scott Adams Grand Master

Hey there everybody. I was hoping to get see if anyone had any similar story to what's been going on. Sorry for the long post.

The end of 2011, I got very sick with a sinus infection that turned into pneumonia and was put on methylprednisolone. I had a horrible reaction to it. It felt like I was being stabbed all over with a needle randomly. I've got sicker and sicker since then. We always said it was a systematic thing because I would roll through alternating symptoms involving all different parts of my body. In the end of 2012, my primary Doctor ran a celiac panel and it came back with positive markers. Gliadin IgA and tTg IgA were normal. Gliadin IgG came back as 88 and tTg IgG was 113 when they both should have been under 15. The gastroenterologist said the biopsy came back normal. For the next three years things got horrible. We saw every doctor we could. I was throwing up every meal I ate between 10-30 minutes. I finally at the beginning of 2015 being at my wits end, saw a very well respected holistic Doctor who took blood and stool tests and told me I absolutely had celiac disease. I've been gluten-free for a year and a half and have been much better. I'm no longer throwing up but I'm still having pretty horrible symptoms. For insurance reasons and the fact that I'm 18 with a supposed life long disease, I would really like to have a MD diagnose it. I saw a gastroenterologist last week who says it's slightly possible the biopsy was wrong but he wants to leave it at non-celiac gluten sensitivity.  He says the markers that were positive basically indicate nothing and they don't use those. Why would I of been referred to a gastroenterologist and gone through that then? Why does the medical community even use them? So many things made sense with the celiac diagnosis but I have multiple doctors who don't was to put that label on it.  I've seen two gastroenterologists, gynecologist, two ENTs, a urologist, two allergists, a neurologist (several years). I've had every test done, so many blood tests, been in the ER, was in the hospital for 4 days. Here are some of my main symptoms over the years (only about half still remain).

SEVERE period cramps, throwing up all meals, heartburn/GERD, frequent urination, stabbing pains, ulcers, SEVERE fatigue, hives, bloating, multiple drug allergies, multiple food allergies, sleeping problems, nausea, hard time focusing, skin rashes, stomach pain after eating, migraines, sinus infections on a monthly basis, ear pain, itchy ears, dandruff, itchy skin, losing hair easily, bone pain, general malaise.

I'm 18 and am exhausted if I'm out of the house for two hours. This started when I was 13. I missed my entire high school years. I really need to get this figured out and move on with my life. Any help would be much appreciated.

 Much thanks, 

Alyssa

View the full article


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



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. - ShariW commented on Scott Adams's article in Frequently Asked Questions About Celiac Disease
      4

      What are Celiac Disease Symptoms?

    2. - klmgarland replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      2

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

    3. - Scott Adams replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      2

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

    4. - Scott Adams replied to Jmartes71's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      1

      My only proof

    5. - Scott Adams replied to Colleen H's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      1

      Methylprednisone treatment for inflammation?


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,908
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    ebrown
    Newest Member
    ebrown
    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

    • klmgarland
      Thank you so very much Scott.  Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful.  If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
    • Scott Adams
      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to have to deal with such hyper-vigilance. The fact that you have made your entire home environment, from makeup to cleaners, gluten-free is a big achievement, but it's clear the external world and shared spaces remain a minefield. Considering Dapsone is a logical and often necessary step for many with DH to break the cycle of itching and allow the skin to heal while you continue your detective work; it is a powerful tool to give you back your quality of life and sleep. You are not failing; you are fighting an incredibly steep battle. For a more specific direction, connecting with a dedicated celiac support group (online or locally) can be invaluable, as members exchange the most current, real-world tips for avoiding cross-contamination that you simply won't find in a pamphlet. You have already done the hardest part by getting a correct diagnosis. Now, the community can help you navigate the rest. If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch:  
    • Scott Adams
      It's very frustrating to be dismissed by medical professionals, especially when you are the one living with the reality of your condition every day. Having to be your own advocate and "fight" for a doctor who will listen is an exhausting burden that no one should have to carry. While that 1998 brochure is a crucial piece of your personal history, it's infuriating that the medical system often requires more contemporary, formal documentation to take a condition seriously. It's a common and deeply unfair situation for those who were diagnosed decades ago, before current record-keeping and testing were standard. You are not alone in this struggle.
    • Scott Adams
      Methylprednisolone is sometimes prescribed for significant inflammation of the stomach and intestines, particularly for conditions like Crohn's disease, certain types of severe colitis, or autoimmune-related gastrointestinal inflammation. As a corticosteroid, it works by powerfully and quickly suppressing the immune system's inflammatory response. For many people, it can be very effective at reducing inflammation and providing rapid relief from symptoms like pain, diarrhea, and bleeding, often serving as a short-term "rescue" treatment to bring a severe flare under control. However, experiences can vary, and its effectiveness depends heavily on the specific cause of the inflammation. It's also important to be aware that while it can work well, it comes with potential side effects, especially with longer-term use, so it's typically used for the shortest duration possible under close medical supervision. It's always best to discuss the potential benefits and risks specific to your situation with your gastroenterologist.
    • Scott Adams
      Based on what you've described, it is absolutely possible you are dealing with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).  Approximately 10x more people have non-celiac gluten sensitivity than have celiac disease, but there isn’t yet a test for NCGS. If your symptoms go away on a gluten-free diet it would likely signal NCGS.   Your situation is a classic presentation: a negative celiac panel but a clear, recurring pattern of symptoms triggered by gluten. The symptoms you listed—particularly the extreme fatigue, bloating, neurological-psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety, and even the skin manifestations like facial flushing—are all well-documented in research on NCGS. It's important to know that you are not alone in experiencing this specific combination of physical and emotional reactions. The only way to know for sure is to commit to a strict, 100% gluten-free diet under the guidance of a doctor or dietitian for a period of several weeks to see if your symptoms significantly improve. It is also crucial to rule out other potential causes, so discussing these symptoms with a gastroenterologist is a very important next step.
×
×
  • 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.