I Figured I Had Celiac

[Candy]

Haven't been to a doctor.Symptoms not the most severe kind.Just can't eat my favorite foods for the discomfort.That and an enteroLab Gene Test sort of diagnosed me or convinces me what I've been feeling is Celiac.Some doctors probably wouldn't have done better at diagnosing me. I've the two major genes that causes Celiac,the wicked witch of the North AND the wicked witch of the South (north celiac and south celiac),I guess I'm super lucky.Now mind,everyone carrying the genes won't come down with it,like,none of my family members seem to have it nor my recent ancestors.They digest regular wheat products well enough.But not me ,I'm on gluten free bread mixes,for all my bread needs,and I'm really glad they make such products.

My symptoms were noticable right away,The first and most obvious were days of abdomen discomfort after eating pasta,bread,pretzels going back as far as five yrs. ago. Then occasional floating stools-which amazed everyone.And until I recently switched to gluten free,I was having odd shaped stools,all lumpy and bulbous,instead of the all even smooth ones I'd been used to having.After a gluten free diet I'm back to normal but I was getting worried,perplexed at the strange symptoms and all.Then this June I thought "I might have that Celiac condition".I had never read up on it though I had heard of it,so I searched the Internet, and found this site and others and I'm glad I did.

[nettiebeads]

Hi Candy! and welcome to the board! And congratulations on taking the initiative to take care of yourself. Celiac, treated properly, is no where near a death sentence. And as far as other things considered, you don't have to take expensive meds for the rest of your life. You have done what's called a diet challenge which is a very valid diagnostic tool (that's how I was dx'd 9 yrs ago by my gp) and should be recognized by any one in the medical field. If anyone asks you to go back onto gluten to get a different test done, refuse. Anyhow, the floaty stools are from malabsorption and usually have a high fat content, and are very indicative of celiac disease. Now all you have to do is watch out for all of the hidden glutens in other areas besides food - lotions, shampoo, conditioners, hair sprays.... But feel free to post any questions and be sure to read through a lot of the older posts - there's a wealth of information here. As a matter of fact, I've learned more in the four months since I've joined than in all of my years with celiac combined!

Annette