Need Some Celiac Info!

[xcraigx]

Hi, please help. I’ve been experiencing varying symptoms for the better part of the last year. At first it began with floating stools and it has increased with time to more frequent and loosely formed bowel movements. These days I go to the bathroom a few times a day and its anything but healthy. I’ve also experienced a significant drop in energy as well as a great deal of muscle fatigue. It takes very little muscle exertion to leave me feeling sore for days and I experience muscle twitches almost constantly. My muscles really feel drained all the time. I went to a doctor who did and EKG and discounted the likelihood of any neuromuscular disorders. Two months ago I was diagnosed as having Hypothyroidism and I have been taking a daily dose of Synthroid ever since. I was pretty sure that this was the problem and it would be licked in no time but my symptoms have not dissipated as I had hoped. The more I read about celiac disease, the more I identify with the symptoms. I’ve made an appointment for Dec 22 to see my doctor about it and take the necessary next steps. Was just wondering if these symptoms seem familiar to Celiac since it seems there are some very knowledgeable people here. I know that a paragraph of description is no means for diagnosis but I came across the site and figured I’d learn as much as I can before I head to the doctor in three weeks. I don't have any food allergies that I'm aware of. Any comments or further discussion would be great! Thanks a million.

[jerseyangel]

Hi and welcome! Your symptoms could point to Celiac--since you have an appt. coming up soon, I would suggest not cutting gluten intake at all--if you are tested, cutting out gluten could cause a false negative. Best of luck in finding out whats going on

[nettiebeads]

Hi, please help. I’ve been experiencing varying symptoms for the better part of the last year. At first it began with floating stools and it has increased with time to more frequent and loosely formed bowel movements. These days I go to the bathroom a few times a day and its anything but healthy. I’ve also experienced a significant drop in energy as well as a great deal of muscle fatigue. It takes very little muscle exertion to leave me feeling sore for days and I experience muscle twitches almost constantly. My muscles really feel drained all the time. I went to a doctor who did and EKG and discounted the likelihood of any neuromuscular disorders. Two months ago I was diagnosed as having Hypothyroidism and I have been taking a daily dose of Synthroid ever since. I was pretty sure that this was the problem and it would be licked in no time but my symptoms have not dissipated as I had hoped. The more I read about celiac disease, the more I identify with the symptoms. I’ve made an appointment for Dec 22 to see my doctor about it and take the necessary next steps. Was just wondering if these symptoms seem familiar to Celiac since it seems there are some very knowledgeable people here. I know that a paragraph of description is no means for diagnosis but I came across the site and figured I’d learn as much as I can before I head to the doctor in three weeks. I don't have any food allergies that I'm aware of. Any comments or further discussion would be great! Thanks a million.

The first part of your post got me going "yep, celiac" then the rest sort of confirmed it for me. That's exactly what my D was for six weeks before I went to my dr. And the fatigue (swimming upstream in a molasses river in Jan?) is so very much a part of celiac. I'd love to tell you to go on the gluten free diet now, but since you're seeing the dr. in 3 weeks, you'll probably need to stay on gluten so he can run the full celiac panel and/or schedule a biopsy. And be sure to ask him/her just how much experience with celiac disease he/she has had. I've had a dr tell me I could probably go back to eating wheat. I knew she was dead wrong. And celiac disease or gluten intolerancd isn't an allergy. It's an autoimmune disorder - the body is attacking itself, as opposed to an allergy where the body is trying to protect itself by flushing out the invader.

Keep us posted and ask as much as you want. The people here are very knowledgable (we have to be). I've learned more in the three months since joining than I have in the past 9 years.

Annette

[RiceGuy]

I agree that is sounds like gluten intolerance. The damage that results might be the reason for the Hypothyroidism as well. I know someone who I suspect is suffering from the same thing. Once your gut is damaged, the malnutrition and toxins can lead to many other problems. The various nutrient deficiencies are like not eating right to begin with, since the body just can't absorb nutrients properly. The thyroid depends on iodine and magnesium, just to name two. Of course the body needs to be treated as a whole, so it's not like just certain vitamins or minerals can be singled out as more or less important.

In any case, you're in a good place to get answers and learn things you might never know otherwise. I hope you get the help you need asap.

[darkangel]

I agree... could be celiac or gluten intolerance. You may also be intolerant or sensitive to other foods. Dairy's the next biggest offender. Some others are nuts, eggs, peanuts, sugar, corn... Hopefully, the tests will give you some answers. If not, time to do some elimination.

[xcraigx]

Thanks for all your input everyone!