Should I get tested?

[Reide]

So, I am debating getting tested for Celiacs.  I don't want to because I don't like going to the doctor and I'd rather not have a disease. Ignorance is bliss, they say.

Anyways, I have some general symptoms, such as severe bloating when I eat bread, diarrhea, heartburn, nausea and fatigue. Also, recently I have started having achy joints when I eat bread.  From what I understand, my grandmother had celiacs before most people knew what it was (She passed 25 years ago, and she was diagnosed years before that) so the genetics are not in my favor.  Generally I can build my diet to stay away from it, but those pizza parties and PB&J sandwiches get me.  

Anyways, should I be tested?  Does it seem like celiacs is a possibility?  Also, what is the benefit of having a diagnosis rather than just staying away from gluten?  Trial and error suggests that even if I don't have celiacs, bread and pasta does not do well in my system, so I should just stay away from it anyways.  And I may not have it. I may just have IBS, who knows.

[cyclinglady]

6 hours ago, Reide said:

So, I am debating getting tested for Celiacs.  I don't want to because I don't like going to the doctor and I'd rather not have a disease. Ignorance is bliss, they say.

Anyways, I have some general symptoms, such as severe bloating when I eat bread, diarrhea, heartburn, nausea and fatigue. Also, recently I have started having achy joints when I eat bread.  From what I understand, my grandmother had celiacs before most people knew what it was (She passed 25 years ago, and she was diagnosed years before that) so the genetics are not in my favor.  Generally I can build my diet to stay away from it, but those pizza parties and PB&J sandwiches get me.  

Anyways, should I be tested?  Does it seem like celiacs is a possibility?  Also, what is the benefit of having a diagnosis rather than just staying away from gluten?  Trial and error suggests that even if I don't have celiacs, bread and pasta does not do well in my system, so I should just stay away from it anyways.  And I may not have it. I may just have IBS, who knows.

Seriously consider getting tested.  It starts with a simple blood test.  

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Is a diagnosis important?  It can be difficult for some to maintain a strict gluten free diet without a formal diagnosis, but it can be done.  A diagnosis can help, not just you but others in your family.  Let's face it, IBS is really code for "I be Stumped".  It can be good to know the source of your symptoms.  Finally, you may have more damage than you realize -- like osteoporosis.  Once you have one autoimmune disorder, you tend to develop others,  a diagnosis can possibly help your doctor identity those disorders faster.  

Easy to rule out celiac disease.  No sense guessing!  

Welcome to the forum.  

 

[TexasJen]

Well, whenever I make a decision, I look at the plusses and the minuses. 

Getting tested: Minuses - actual testing - you have to see a doctor and pay a copay and any coinsurance for the blood tests (or go to an independent lab and order the tests yourself - about $300 out of pocket), blood draw - a little pain and annoying. If the results are positive, you have a big change in your diet, some social issues around having a eat a strict gluten-free diet

Plusses- you start a diet that makes you feel better. You avoid the long term side effects of untreated celiac - cancer, malabsorption symptoms including anemia, fast heart beat, restless leg syndrome, B12 deficiency( neuropathy of the arms/legs, depression/anxiety, falls, unsteadiness), Vitamin D deficiency (rickets, fractures, osteoporosis), weight loss, migraine headaches, worse PMS

Because the long term consequences are serious, I would get tested.  

[Reide]

So, I decided to get tested.  I also noticed that I have several other things that are associated with it, including RLS, and the need to drink copious amounts of water.   It is probably the easiest thing to rule out regarding my symptoms, and my doctor had an appointment open today, so I've already had blood drawn.  That was quick, lol.  Now we wait. 

[squirmingitch]

Good to hear!