New here, need opinions on symptoms

[Jakel93]

Hello everyone,

 

 

I have been a long time reader here going through everyones posts and seeing if anyones issues align with mine. This may be a long post so sorry if you're not in for the read. 

 

So about 6 months ago I woke up one morning with extreme pain, nearly passing out from the pain of cramping. I ended up vomiting and I actually ended up tearing something inside that bled a fair amount for a few hours. Anyway I got through it by having a BM and I haven't had an attack like that since, however I have had lasting issues since this. 

My issues were: 

Frequent diarrhoea (every 2-3 days)

Urgency to have a BM

abdominal pain and cramping frequently

Reflux daily

Constipation

Very light bleeding with mucus

 

These symptoms lasted for a month until I saw a doctor. I had stool tests, basic blood tests, colonoscpy and endoscopy, they took samples when they did those. Initially I was on nexium to reduce stomach acid, that did nothing. They did not find anything abnormal during any of the testing. I was refered to a dietitian which is where I am now, well a few months in.

I had started meta mucil which has helped my constipation and relieved my cramping, have been free of those symptoms for months since starting this.

He looked at my diet and couldn't pin point anything (I have a food diary). He suggested trying a few things, which I did. I've removed a lot of bad stuff from my diet and my symptoms are improving.

At this point I was left with abdominal pain and random feelings of urgency, relieved by going and having a BM.

Recently I had pancakes. Six or so hours later, my lower abdomen grumbled very loudly, and I got that urgency again, which sent me to the toilet for a BM which visually inspecting was the pancakes. I felt pretty sore after but I didn't need to go to the toilet again. A few days later I had a fairly big hotdog from a take out place, same deal again, felt sore a few days after ect.

After this it clicked in my head that it may have something to do with gluten, or at least what could be in wheat. So since then I have cut gluten/wheat out cold turkey, it wasn't hard because I have been unknowling eating less of it anyway through diet changes.

Which leads me to now, I made this change about a week ago, my only remaining symptoms are abdominal pain, right below my rib cage in the middle and a dull weak pain to the left of my belly button and constipation (which is fixed with meta mucil, sometimes I get lazy, obviously need more fibre). I still eat some dairy like the occasional chocolate, but I don't think this is the issue as I ate heaps of it during east time without any problems.

 

I understand that it may take a while to repair but has anyone gone through something similar? I'm reluctant to go back to the doctor, they just seem like they label it with IBS and move you on. Am I going in the right direction assuming its gluten, even though the biopsy test for celiac came back negative? Sorry if this was long but it's hard to get the whole story across in few words, I appreciate anyone who has the time to read this. Thank you?

[GFinDC]

Hi Jake,

You may not get a firm diagnosis of celiac disease.  It's not always a clear-cut case.  There is also the possibility of NCGS (non-celiac gluten sensitivity).  NCGS can cause GI symptoms also but there are no tests for it.  It's fine to stay on the gluten-free diet if it makes you feel better.  It can actually be a very healthy diet to follow if you stick with mostly meats, veggies, fruit and nuts.  The processed gluten-free baked goods are usually not very nutritious though.

[plumbago]

Here are my answers to your questions, based on my experience.

YES Frequent diarrhoea (every 2-3 days)
NOT REALLY Urgency to have a BM
YES, somewhat frequently - abdominal pain and cramping frequently – my cramping occurred just before a BM. Relieved with BM. Happens less now, but still does occasionally and when it does, I tend to think this may be either diverticulitis (or –otis) or referred pain from the rectal area, but those are basically guesses.
NO. Reflux daily
NO. Constipation
DID NOT NOTICE. Very light bleeding with mucus

 

Quote

I understand that it may take a while to repair but has anyone gone through something similar? I'm reluctant to go back to the doctor,

Go to a gastro, do the celiac panel while you are eating gluten for a number of days or weeks (we would need to check that), if you can stand it, and then get the endoscopy with biopsy. These are recommendations in the event you want a sure answer one way or the other.

Otherwise, if you don't have to know for sure, go gluten free, and if your symptoms resolve, great! But, as I'm sure people will tell you, you will need to give going gluten-free a sufficient amount of time (which varies from person to person), but over time, the benefits are there.

Plumbago