Help needed

[nanny marley]

So I have been going threw celiac testing for some time unfortunately I had been 1 year gluten free Wen I had the blood test do came back negative I had other blood tests done my calprotein came in very high and my crp was elevated have been sent to gastroenterology she has put me in for a colonoscopy wat I can't understand it says take 2 tablets  6 days before of  senna for 5 day before my plenvu prep which I start tomorrow yet it says if ibd colitis crone's or others are present don't take the senna but I don't know if I have these yet my brother tho has the same symptoms has just be diagnosed with colitis and didn't take the senna can anyone shed light on this for me  has I  start the prep tomorrow I already have very loose bowels seems a lot to go threw for 6 days ? I'm new to all this do I'm just a little confused here ant help round be appriciated 🙏 also I'm so anxious wat to expect with the colonoscopy has anyone got any advise thanks in advance 🤗

[Scott Adams]

It’s completely understandable to feel confused and anxious—colonoscopy prep can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already dealing with symptoms like loose stools and elevated inflammation markers (that high calprotectin and CRP definitely warrant further investigation!).

Regarding the senna tablets: The warning about avoiding senna with IBD (like Crohn’s or colitis) is typically because it can irritate an already inflamed colon. Since you don’t yet have a confirmed diagnosis—but your brother has colitis—it might be worth calling your gastroenterologist’s office today to clarify if you should skip the senna given your symptoms and family history. Some clinics have an on-call nurse who can advise quickly.

For the prep itself: Plenvu is strong, so if your bowels are already loose, the senna might be overkill. Stick to clear liquids tomorrow (broth, apple juice, etc.) and stay near a bathroom! For anxiety, remember the procedure itself is painless (you’ll likely be sedated), and the prep is the hardest part. Bring a phone charger or book to the clinic, and treat yourself afterward to something gentle on your stomach (like mashed potatoes or yogurt).

Hang in there—this is a big step toward answers. You’re doing great advocating for yourself!

[nanny marley]

Thankyou so much for your reply I decided to skip the senna has I've already had very loose stools last few days I've cut my portions down on the low fiber diet too and drinking lots of liquid has I just thought it would be wise to listen to myself too I've probably already done wat the senna would of done myself naturally by drinking clear apple juice which if not on the diet I would have to avoid anyways has I don't tolerate many fruit juices so I'm sure I've done the right thing I did try to contact the department on my letter but weirdly enough it was ringing but then after a while saying wrong number 🤷 but again I'm positive I've done the right thing I'm going to take today very lightly too with low portions and more liquids so yes thankyou for that advise I am very nervous but I have had time to think and read other peoples experiences and not all are bad there is some good advise and reassuring information from people who do these all the time so I'm trying my best to be positive so I can at least settle my mind knowing im doing this to help my own health has this year has been a rollercoaster for me cutting out gluten and lactose was a good idea but I still get flare ups and other symptoms so it definitely is worth a check like you said it was the calprotein that prompted the doctor to refer me again thankyou for your reply it's means a lot for someone to take the time to listen and respond and give uplifting advise  especially to me just now has I'm a bundle of nerves inside getting closer to tomorrow prep so thankyou for that 🙏

[Scott Adams]

Let us know how it goes! Good luck!

[nanny marley]

It's been postponed due to my sciatic nerve being in high flaring mode I had a feeling I was worrying about something turns out because of the extent of the disk in my spine with the nerve how it's trapped its a risk my back specialist always told me to be very careful with that area so now it's 1st July  I'm glad I contacted the nurses with my worries 

[knitty kitty]

@nanny marley,

Are you having an endoscopy at the same appointment as your colonoscopy?  You said you have been going through testing for Celiac.  An endoscopy with several biopsies from the small intestine (after the stomach at the beginning of the digestive tract) is the gold standard for diagnosing Celiac Disease.  Celiac cannot be diagnosed by examining the large intestine and colon.  Colitis occurs at that end of the digestive tract.  I understand you are being checked for Colitis.  Are your doctors also going to do an endoscopy with biopsies at the same appointment to check for Celiac?  Even if you are too unhealthy to undergo a gluten challenge prior to an endoscopy, there are changes consistent with Celiac Disease that can be found by biopsy and microscopic examination.  Also get checked for nutritional deficiencies.  Many of your health complaints you've mentioned in other posts can be connected with vitamin and mineral deficits.  

[nanny marley]

Ii wasn't asked about that she just said if you can't tk the gluten diet have colonoscopy to check for cancer has my van had it and because I'd had naproxen for stomach ulcers but I stopped that a  while back but I've been very ill this week with the back issues so I can't have the colonoscopy too someone said ask for the virtual one it's much easier for people who have body issues too but I'm not sure I can request that if she doesn't think I need that she was basically saying IBS because Ive suffered since age 25 but that's Wen the back started too and I'm sure high calprotein isn't with IBS I've been low in iron Wen I was jounger and I'm always low in vitamin d I take my own supplement for that now there is definitely something going off its been too long a drawn out problem with added symptoms so I i will keep investigating 

[nanny marley]

I ment nan not van 🤗

[knitty kitty]

@nanny marley,

Have you been taking any vitamins or mineral supplements besides Vitamin D?

What are you eating?  Do you eat processed gluten free foods?  

You said your symptoms included fatigue, body hair loss, low vitamin d,  Restless Leg Syndrome, Raynaud's Syndrome, contact dermatitis, rhinitis, body aches, TMJ, heart palpitations, sleep issues, vomiting,  dizziness, frequent bowel movements.

There's eight B vitamins and Vitamin C that are water soluble.  When one has diarrhea for extended periods of time, those water soluble essential vitamins are flushed out of the body easily, and there's little time to absorb any more water soluble vitamins or fat soluble vitamins from food moving through that fast.   It's easy to become vitamin deficient with diarrhea.  

Deficiency in Vitamin B1, Thiamine, can result in Gastrointestinal BeriBeri which can also cause diarrhea, fatigue, and abdominal pain.  Deficiency in Vitamin B3, Niacin, can cause diarrhea as well as skin rashes, and sleep issues.  Deficiency in Vitamin B12, Cobalamine, can cause diarrhea and Restless Leg Syndrome.  Deficiency in Vitamin C can cause diarrhea and skin rashes. Thiamine deficiency can also cause heart palpitations, sleep issues, and vomiting.  Have you had your thyroid checked?  Hypothyroidism can cause body hair loss, as can iron deficiency.  

I've experienced serious nutritional deficiencies which my doctors did not recognize as such and blamed me for making stuff up.  I've experienced these nutritional deficiencies.  I earned a degree in Microbiology after studying nutrition because I wanted to know what vitamins were doing inside the body.  Vitamins are special organic compounds that our bodies cannot make, so we must get them from food or supplements.  Without these vitamins, our bodies cannot function well.

Talk to your doctor and nutritionist about supplementing with vitamins and minerals that are lacking on the gluten free diet.  Blood tests for deficiencies in the B vitamins are not accurate.  Taking a B Complex and looking for health improvement is best.  

I've got serious vision problems and would really appreciate punctuation.  Thanks

P.S.  I take a combination of Thiamine, Cobalamine B12 and Pyridoxine B6 for back pain from crushed vertebrae.  I understand back pain.  These vitamins together relieve pain. 

Edited June 3 by knitty kitty
Added Post Script

[nanny marley]

Oh wow thankyou so much  for this information that's is very eye opening , you see I always say talk to the ones who have experienced ,  my analogy was always you can never feel the pain of a broken leg untill you have one, I'm so glad you reached out to me and will definitely look into all this advice ,  the docters don't listen one said to me have you been googling symptoms lol, nope there real I'm real and I'm suffering ! I've been on vitamin supplements on and off threw blood tests for over 15 years, yet they didn't question why it was always like that ? I do believe also that the deficiency needs looking at because I have frequent diarrhea and wat I'm loosing I'm probably not getting back, hence the symptoms your right are being caused and I'm feeling poorly threw it ,so thankyou again for this advice , I can't express in words how much I appreciate it , I have just developed a huge white patch on my neck also , she has given me nizorol shampoo to wash it and antifungal tablets , I've already tried the cream didn't work it's not itchy not red just a large skin depigmentation , I have olive skin so it stands out but that's just occured in the last few months too, and she said it could take two years to come back 🤷

[nanny marley]

The only vitamin supplement is vitamin d , I do eat some processed gluten foods yes , I'm new to all this change over , I have purchased a gluten free cookbook which I am currently learning ,so but the looks from wat you have shared with me I'm on the right path , thankyou for the pain information also I will give that a try  too seems very promising 🤗 congratulations on your degree 💯 I admire the time you have taken to do that ,and to help others with it too very noble, I Also believe Wen the right information is needed it will come if you ask🙏 I asked here it comes👍

[Wheatwacked]

Vitamin D deficiency may play a role in the severity of sciatica, with low levels potentially leading to increased pain sensitivity and inflammation. Adequate vitamin D levels may help reduce inflammation and improve nerve function, potentially easing pain associated with sciatica. 

Also work on choosing food with low omega 6.  Omega 6 is inflammatory, omega 3 is healing.  The average American conusumes a diet with omega 6:3 ratio of 14:1.  Wheat flour ratio is 22:1.

Iodine deficiency leads, among other things, weakened muscles.  Increasing your iodine intake to 600 mcg a day with Liquid Iodine will improve muscle tone.  Start with 1 drop a day (50 mcg).  The minimum intake RDA is 150 mcg.  The Tolerable safe upper limit is 1000 mcg.  Studies estimate the average daily intake of iodine per person in Japan to be more in the range of 1 to 5 mg/day.  In the US the population intake of Iodine has dropped 50% since 1970 and obesity has increased from 15% to 50%.   Are they connected?  Other common symptoms include fatigue, unexplained weight gain, constipation, dry skin, sensitivity to cold, and memory problems. 

[nanny marley]

This is so very interesting I love all this information, knowledge is so very important for us to help ourselves heal, I have been so wrapped up with my dogs nutrition after vets told me she needed a operation, which turns out I can help with this for her  myself also , I may have been missing the tap on the shoulder to say integration into your own health is needed here too , although I have been aware I must admit myself has been on the back burner at times , I also have a granddaughter with nut allergy I researched for that , this is now screaming at me to turn inward to myself also , and deal with my invisible struggles I also am carrying, thankyou for all the information keep it coming , my ears and eyes are fully open 🙏

[knitty kitty]

@nanny marley,

I had great improvement by supplementing with a B Complex and extra thiamine in the form Benfotiamine which promotes intestinal healing.  I followed the AutoImmune Protocol Diet developed by a doctor with Celiac Disease herself, Dr. Sarah Ballantyne.  The AIP diet removes everything from the diet that can be irritating or hard to digest.  After a period of time to heal, other foods are slowly added back into the diet if tolerated.  

For more stories of my journey, read my blogs by clicking on my name and choosing activities in the dropdown menu.

[nanny marley]

Thankyou I will definitely have a look your very  insightful and a lot is making sence 👍