Wondering if I am gluten intolerant

[TonyJohnson]

I have had bouts of burning, itching hands accompanied with little blisters for few years. Doc says it "contact dermatitis" and prescribed creams but they never work.  They usually will go away after a few days on their own so I stopped even mentioning it to the doc. I also get little pimply blisters in my scalp, usually shortly after I notice the hands flaring up, they are also itchy as well.  Also accompanied by a mild itch all over, arms, legs, and backside as well.  The symptoms come on fast and are usually cleared up in a day or so.  I have never been able to tie them to any particular even or food/drink, nor have I ever really thought about trying until lately. Regarding the hands - when this flares up they will itch and burn so bad I tend to scratch and rub them raw sometimes. It gets unbearable at points.

I always have a bit of gas and feel a little bloated, sometimes worse that others (wife will attest to that lol).   Was diagnosed with diverticulosis a few years back and have had a bout with diverticulitis (inflamed and needed meds to get it under control). Keep it under control since with fiber supplements daily.

I'm always tired, can't lose weight even with dieting and the gastric band I had installed a couple of years ago. Trouble concentrating and holding attention to tasks at hand for years.

Never would have thought about putting any of these together in a "pot of symptoms" until my wife read an article on gluten intolerance and celiac's.  I am going to make an appointment to see my doc and try to get him to run some test for gluten intolerance but am not really sure what to say to him.  

I have been reading some posts on here and you all seem like a great group of helpful and informative people.. So any suggestions?

Looking forward to some ideas!

Tony

[Jmg]

Hi Tony and welcome

I put together a mini FAQ awhile ago for posts such as yours. Take a look and see if the links within are of help: 

The info on tests is a little out of date, the top two listed are now no longer in general use. Otherwise hopefully the info gives you something to work on. 

42 minutes ago, TonyJohnson said:

 I am going to make an appointment to see my doc and try to get him to run some test for gluten intolerance but am not really sure what to say to him.

The main advice is STAY ON GLUTEN whilst you wait to see him and then for any testing. The mistake so many of us make is to suspect, try removing it, notice a response then find out that testing has become a hundred times harder!

Best of luck 

Matt

[TonyJohnson]

Thanks Jmg!  I will check it out now.

[Jmg]

I think you could also usefully start keeping a food journal. Doesn't have to be War and Peace just:

7:00 am Toast w/butter & strawberry jam, Weetabix, Coffee - Feel OK, little indigestion

11:00 Coffee and Digestive biscuits x 2 - Itchy scalp, headache

Etc. etc. Main point is to get in the habit of noting down what you eat, when and how you feel. You'd be amazed at how useful this could prove to be in identifying what, if anything, is affecting you.