Hi, Need Advice

[Guest adamssa]

Hi, I'm new here, and was hoping for some advice from people with similar problems. Thanks to all who post in general, as have already learned a lot! A relief to know I am not the only one whose experienced weird head sensations in conjunction with their digestive problems. Ok, well I've been wondering if I have celiac, so this kind of a brief as possible run down, if you guys could let me know what you think?

My GI told me I have IBS. This year I had a endoscopy, a non-functioning gallbladder removed, and a colonoscopy. Following the IBS diagnosis I tried to eat the very limited diet that was supposed to calm IBS down, but I noticed the recommended oatmeal and white bread were still making me feel bad. I went gluten free for a few days, felt slightly better. Decided to eat a granola bar to test the gluten free idea and felt more horrible than usual after eating. So fatigued and dizzy for about 5 days. These have been my symptoms, generally:

fatigue after eating, so tired need to lay down.

I feel way too full after eating hardly anyting.

chronic daily headaches that often escalate to migraines. also bizzare sensation that headache is on my nose! has anyone else experienced this, because it weirds me out.

brain fog.

constipation

some heartburn.

occasional abdominal pain.

My galllbladder was removed in Nov. Prior to that things were really bad, and there was some improvement after it was removed, regurgiation and bloating decresed but still all of the above symptoms.

after the episode with the granola bar I decided to go gluten free, and it's been about 5 days. My headaches seem to be slightly improving, although I did accidently gluten myself the other day. Does it sound like I have celiac? I also question the IBS diagnosis because I can eat fatty meat without as many problems as other foods, fatty meat that should trigger an IBS attack.

Also, I know it takes patience, but if I do have celiac, how long before the headaches go away? My quality of life has decreased more than I ever thought possible.

Thanks so much.

Sara

[Ursa Major]

Sara, IBS is really a junk diagnosis, when the doctor is clueless and wants to get you off his back. You're right to question it.

You sure sound like you may have Celiac disease. Also, you might have developed other sensitivities as well. Try eliminating all dairy in addition to gluten and see how you feel. You want to make sure that your personal care items don't contain gluten, as those can also make you sick (soap, shampoo, lotion, chapstick, makeup etc.). Buy a new toaster (you can get a basic one for around $10.00), as you can't possibly get your old one cleaned of all the gluten. If you eat gluten free noodles, don't use the same strainer you have used for noodles containing gluten, you can't get it completely clean, either.

Also, gluten is hidden in a lot of processed foods. Try eating only foods you prepare yourself for a few days and see if it makes a difference.

Sometimes it can take weeks before you notice a marked difference. Be patient and don't give up. You can't go wrong with a gluten-free diet, even if you end up not having celiac. All the best!

[Canadian Karen]

Hi! Ursula gave you excellent advice!

She is also right about IBS. We call it here the "I'm Basically Stumped" diagnosis that doctors throw at you.

Even if you do not have true Celiac, it is estimated that at least 30% of the population has some form of sensitivity to gluten. You at the very least could be gluten intolerant. I would definitely go gluten free and see what results you come up with...... By the way, that's not to say you don't have Celiac, sounds to me like you definitely could.......

Hugs.

Karen