Symptoms

[Guest beingthere]

Hi folks,

I'm just beginning to do my own research to find out what if anything I can do to relieve my own symptoms. I'm not sure if I have celiac disease and should go gluten-free. My problem is basically that I seem to have "allergies" to almost everything I eat. My symptoms are extreme bloating, gas, and extreme heartbearn and pain in the lower esophegus. It has become quite disruptive to my life and I've finally decided that I have to figure out what's wrong with me and take corrective action. The foods that seem to be the most problematic are: pasta, bread, all breakfast cereals including oatmeal, all milk products, eggs, corn, potato, and beans and soy in any form. It seems that the only combination of food that agrees with my system is chicken, rice, and non-starchy veggies such as broccoli.

I'm preparing to make an appointment to see a gastroenterologist soon to help with a formal diagnosis, but I was just hoping to get some feedback from people in this forum on what they think might be my problem.

Thanks,

Brian

[plantime]

If you do not have diarrhea, chances are a biopsy will do no good. Have your doctor run the celiac blood panel. You might just have allegies, but the blood panel will tell if you are predisposed to celiac. You might also have a hiatel hernia or ulcers, so please make sure you see your doctor.

[Guest jhmom]

Hi Brian

The symptoms you are experiencing should be taken seriously and you should see a Gastro doc, if possible one that is knowledgeable of Celiac Disease (just in case). You can ask the receptionist when you call to make the apt; usually they are very honest when answering.

You have several options available to you, let me explain:

* If you go to the GI doc and have blood-work and biopsy remember that there is a chance the results could be negative (mine were). Sometimes it takes time for a disease to show up in the blood or show damaged villi.

In case your results are negative:

* You can try a gluten-free diet for a couple of weeks / months to see if you show an improvement. If you improve on the diet chances are you have gluten sensitivity.

* You can go through Open Original Shared Link and order a stool panel test, which is more sensitive than the blood. This is a simple, noninvasive way of testing. You do not have to be on gluten in order for this test to be accurate and they also test for other sensitivities such as dairy, etc. **this is the way I was dx along with many others on this board**

I do hope your health begins to improve soon, take care and God Bless

[Guest beingthere]

Thank you all for your input. I will post some follow ups after I see a doctor and get some more information.

--Brian

[lauradawn]

Brian, please keep in mind that you should NOT go gluten-free if you are going to have any testing done. It can alter your results. Also, many with Celiac, also experience sesitivities to other foods as well. Sometimes those things are corrected over time, but it is not uncommon. I would definately puruse this through your Dr.