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Help Please! Symptoms pre-diagnosis


HunterMillerAZ

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HunterMillerAZ Newbie

Hello all. I have not been medically diagnosed with celiac disease yet but I am almost 100% I have it. Yellow fatty stools. Diarrhea. Extreme bloating and belching. Fatigue that hits me out of nowhere can causes me to be more tired than I ever have before (I am a very active person). And oh yeah 10lb weight loss (from 165-155) and not being able to put back weight on!!! Also recently my pointer finger joint has starting hurting so bad and now I have a rash on my knee. I ate a lot of bread and noodles and drank a bit of beer this week. I’m feeling. Please does this sound like the disease or something else??


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trents Grand Master

All the symptoms you describe align with Celiac Disease but could be due to other things as well. Sounds like you should get a blood antibody test for diagnosing Celiac Disease. May we ask what age group you are in?

HunterMillerAZ Newbie

I’m 26

trents Grand Master

I wouldn't think at 26 the pain in your digit would be arthritis. Can you post a pick of the rash on your knee? Something called Dermatitis Herpetiformis is a classic expression of Celiac Disease.

HunterMillerAZ Newbie

It’s minimal but just noticed it today. About 8-9 individual little red bumps on my knee. Thought it was a pimple breakout or maybe even bed bugs or something at first but I just started putting the puzzle pieces together. Just itch and are small and red 

trents Grand Master

I don't have DH but there are those on the forum who know what it looks like so that's why I asked for a pic. Or, you can google it.

Scott Adams Grand Master

DH looks like tiny clear blisters that are super itchy, and usually surrounded by redness. If you can't get to a doctor and get a celiac disease blood panel, another option is ordering an online test kit, but keep in mind that to be tested for celiac disease you must continue eating gluten daily until your tests are finished.


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HunterMillerAZ Newbie
5 hours ago, Scott Adams said:

DH looks like tiny clear blisters that are super itchy, and usually surrounded by redness. If you can't get to a doctor and get a celiac disease blood panel, another option is ordering an online test kit, but keep in mind that to be tested for celiac disease you must continue eating gluten daily until your tests are finished.

Oh that almost makes me not want to even do it. I’m going on about 30 hours without gluten and feel 10xs better already. 

5 hours ago, Scott Adams said:

DH looks like tiny clear blisters that are super itchy, and usually surrounded by redness. If you can't get to a doctor and get a celiac disease blood panel, another option is ordering an online test kit, but keep in mind that to be tested for celiac disease you must continue eating gluten daily until your tests are finished.

As far as the DH. That’s what these look like. Clear heads (thought fire ant bites or something) super itchy and red. 

Scott Adams Grand Master

Although the standard spiel from medical doctors would be to recommend getting a formal diagnosis, having DH I can fully understand why you might not want to go that route, due to the fact that DH symptoms can be unbearable for most. In the end it is really your call on whether or not you need a formal diagnosis to stay gluten-free.

trents Grand Master

I agree with Scott's advice, Hunter. We advise getting a formal diagnosis but the delay in scheduling testing combined with severity of symptoms makes that impractical sometimes. Our concern is that people with a formal diagnosis are less likely to rationalize and cheat on their intentions to eat gluten-free. There may also be some advantages to a formal diagnosis when it comes to medical care down the road.

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    • klmgarland
      Thank you so very much Scott.  Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful.  If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
    • Scott Adams
      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to have to deal with such hyper-vigilance. The fact that you have made your entire home environment, from makeup to cleaners, gluten-free is a big achievement, but it's clear the external world and shared spaces remain a minefield. Considering Dapsone is a logical and often necessary step for many with DH to break the cycle of itching and allow the skin to heal while you continue your detective work; it is a powerful tool to give you back your quality of life and sleep. You are not failing; you are fighting an incredibly steep battle. For a more specific direction, connecting with a dedicated celiac support group (online or locally) can be invaluable, as members exchange the most current, real-world tips for avoiding cross-contamination that you simply won't find in a pamphlet. You have already done the hardest part by getting a correct diagnosis. Now, the community can help you navigate the rest. If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch:  
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