Does Anybody Else Get Bloodshot Eyes Or Hot Flashes?

[Matthew73]

My Gluten Intolerance symptoms began about two years ago and slowly became worse and worse. Like many people, I had no idea what was wrong with me and have still not gotten a firm diagnosis from a Gastroenterologist as to what I have. By deduction he has said I have a Gluten Intolerance but not necessarily Celiac Disease (I'm not sure what the difference is). This diagnosis came after a Barium Swallow (that showed nothing) and an Upper GI series (that also showed nothing). All I know is that if I stay away from breads and anything with flour or any wheat product I'm fine. I want to list my symptoms and see if anyone has the same. The symptoms I experience don't quite fit with the traditional list of symptoms I read about (namely diarrea). Within ten to thirty minutes of consuming gluten this is what happens:

In the lower left quadrant of my abdomen I experience what can only be described as a mixture of a dull and sharp ache/pain that gradually worsens and seems to affect my whole body.

Fatigue.

Hot Flash (my whole body gets very hot).

Eyes get extremely bloodshot.

On rare occasions I vomit (usually I just induce it...as it makes me feel much better afterwards).

When I start to feel better I get very cold (I guess because I was so hot before) and even more exhausted.

There is rarely, if ever, any episode with bloating, gas, or diarrea. This is what is perplexing to me. My symptoms are more rare since I'm not eating any gluten (except for those times when I'm unaware I've eaten in as in sauces and the like). If anyone experiences the same type of symptoms I'd love to hear about it.

[celiachap]

My Gluten Intolerance symptoms began about two years ago and slowly became worse and worse. Like many people, I had no idea what was wrong with me and have still not gotten a firm diagnosis from a Gastroenterologist as to what I have. By deduction he has said I have a Gluten Intolerance but not necessarily Celiac Disease (I'm not sure what the difference is). This diagnosis came after a Barium Swallow (that showed nothing) and an Upper GI series (that also showed nothing). All I know is that if I stay away from breads and anything with flour or any wheat product I'm fine. I want to list my symptoms and see if anyone has the same. The symptoms I experience don't quite fit with the traditional list of symptoms I read about (namely diarrea). Within ten to thirty minutes of consuming gluten this is what happens: In the lower left quadrant of my abdomen I experience what can only be described as a mixture of a dull and sharp ache/pain that gradually worsens and seems to affect my whole body.Fatigue.Hot Flash (my whole body gets very hot).Eyes get extremely bloodshot.On rare occasions I vomit (usually I just induce it...as it makes me feel much better afterwards).When I start to feel better I get very cold (I guess because I was so hot before) and even more exhausted.There is rarely, if ever, any episode with bloating, gas, or diarrea. This is what is perplexing to me. My symptoms are more rare since I'm not eating any gluten (except for those times when I'm unaware I've eaten in as in sauces and the like). If anyone experiences the same type of symptoms I'd love to hear about it.

I am at work, and I cannot address all of your questions, but I think that you should get an endoscope exam, including a biopsy, and possibly a different gastroenterologist. Barium-drinking is not used to diagnose Celiac. If it were, I would have known that I had Celiac Disease years ago. I had a middle-bowel test, small intestine (endoscope), and colonoscopy and was told that I had nothing wrong with me - until I had the endoscope and biopsy from a gastroenterologist that was knowledgeable about Celiac.

As for the difference(s) between Gluten Intolerance and Celiac Disease, the most important is that with Celiac Disease, the villi are "flattened" by gluten consumption. Gluten Intolerance alone does not do this.

Hope this helps

[Matthew73]

I am at work, and I cannot address all of your questions, but I think that you should get an endoscope exam, including a biopsy, and possibly a different gastroenterologist. Barium-drinking is not used to diagnose Celiac. If it were, I would have known that I had Celiac Disease years ago. I had a middle-bowel test, small intestine (endoscope), and colonoscopy and was told that I had nothing wrong with me - until I had the endoscope and biopsy from a gastroenterologist that was knowledgeable about Celiac.

As for the difference(s) between Gluten Intolerance and Celiac Disease, the most important is that with Celiac Disease, the villi are "flattened" by gluten consumption. Gluten Intolerance alone does not do this.

Hope this helps

Thanks so much for your reply. I actually did get an endoscopy and had a corresponding biopsy that showed nothing unusual. But, from what I understand, this test does not show abnormalities unless there is an attack happening at that moment. Oh well. Thanks again!

[MACE]

I had an endoscopy with a biopsy also. It did not show celiac. My GI doctor said that did happen even if you have it. That if they do not do the biopsy in a place that was messed up. I guess that is possible since they just take it from a small place and not all the intestines. He feels that is what I have even if not a positvie biopsy.