Pregnant?

[KayJay]

Have any of you been pregnant but didn't know because you thought the symptoms were from having celiac disease? It seems that feeling sick, being bloated, and so on are all symptoms of both. Also did you have any symptoms that are uncommon? I am just curious.

[kalo]

Well, I just found out that I may have celiac disease. When I was pregnant I did MUCH better than at other times in my life. I LOVED being pregnant (except for the 8 weeks of morning sickness I had with my first). That is puzzling to me except it may have been an hormonal thing. Are you already on a gluten-free diet? I'm not experienced enough to give you more answers. Hope your feeling better soon. Hugs, Carol B

[KayJay]

Sorry didn't mean to say that I was pregnant we have been thinking about it but more than that it seems that every time I go to the doctor that is the 1st thing they test me for. I guess I was more looking for a difference in symptoms with people with celiac disease and people without. For future knowledge Congradulations for you Kalo

Thanks

[Queen Serenity]

Hi,

How long have you had you symptoms? Do they come and go? Or, are they a constant in you everyday life? I ask you these things, because, when I was diagnosed nearly ten years ago, I had symptoms of every kind, every day. Fatigue, constipation, bloating, vomitting, diarhea and swollen legs were just some of my problems. I don't know why a doctor would relate a pregnancy with your particular symptoms, but he or she should be concerned with testing you for other ailments. My Celiac's appeared after the birth of my second son. They say that a trauma to your body usually brings it out. You have the disease from birth, but you may not be aware of it until later in life. I also have been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. It exists in some people with Celiac's disease, because it is an auto-immune disorder. Celiac's disease is also an auto-immune disorder. Have you brought all of your symtoms to the attention of your doctor? If not, push the issue. Have him or her test you for Celiac's. There is a blood test to test your ANA levels. If it is abnormal, then there is a possibility of Celiac's. I hope I have helped. Please let me know.

Vicki

[KayJay]

Sorry again I guess I wasn't beening very clear again. I have been diagnosed with Celiac at the beginning of the year. I had several symptoms, swollen everything, weight gain, vomitting, and so on and so on. I went to the doctor last year all the time I became so sick that I had to leave my job (on my own choice) but now I am feeling a lot better. I still feel sick once in awhile. For the last two weeks I have been feeling sick but I seemed to be better the last few days.

--I just know that my doctors always thought that I was pregnant and then we started talking about having a baby in a year or so and I started thinking about being sick. I just went two years feeling sick I want a break! Then I started wondering if there are more symptoms for those with celiac disease.

--You said that the ANA levels could mean something I was tested a few years ago and my were 3 times the normal range. they thought I had lupus but further test said I didn't. How is ANA related to Celiac? I asked my Doctor if it could be and he said no. It would make sense that it would be. Tell me more about that! Thanks for replying

[Queen Serenity]

Hi,

The ANA, which are antibodies, if found in high levels, are usually related to a person having Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis. These are considered Auto-immune

disorders. If you are tested, and do not have either of these diseases, then the doctors start to look for other problems. They have found over the years, that Celiac's is a disorder of the immune system, just as the others listed above. I was diagnosed the same way. I had blood work done, with my ANA levels high, the other two were ruled out, and then a biopsy was performed to confirm the doctor's suspiscions. I'm glad you are feeling better! And, if you are wondering about feeling ill during pregnancy because of Celiac's--don't worry. There was difference between any of my three pregnancies. Two were before, and the other after. They say that every pregnancy is different, and it's a true statement. But, having Celiac's dosen't affect the pregnancy in any way. In fact, it's a better deal for the baby, because we have such a healthy diet! So, if you decide to have a baby, rest assure your body willact the same as any other expectant mother. I hope that this helped, and the I didn't misunderstand you again.

Vicki

[gfmom]

Regarding pregnancy symptoms, I have three kids (ages 5,3, &1), and I only had symptoms of celiac disease with the last (my symptoms started the very day I got pregnant, in fact!). The symptoms of celiac disease were MUCH worse than any of the morning sickness, fatigue, etc. that I experienced in the first two pregnancies. And once I was diagnosed (just at the end of the first trimester) and I went on a gluten-free diet, I almost instantly went back to feeling as I had in the first two pregnancies. In other words, I think that if you are on a strict gluten-free diet, you should experience symptoms of pregnancy just like any other non-celiac disease person. With the exception of my three months of celiac disease-induced misery, I loved every minute of being pregnant, nausea, exhaustion, and all. And it is SO worth it when holding little munchkins for the first time!!

Krista

[Killarney]

The symptom I had at the beginning of pregnancy that would have nothing to do with celiac disease is very very sore breasts. All the other early symptoms of pregnancy (nausea, fatigue) can also be celiac disease symptoms, you're right. But my breasts have never felt the way they did they that first week I found out I was pregnant. I think only pregnancy can give them that feeling.

[bette spada]

The symptom I had at the beginning of pregnancy that would have nothing to do with celiac disease is very very sore breasts. All the other early symptoms of pregnancy (nausea, fatigue) can also be celiac disease symptoms, you're right. But my breasts have never felt the way they did they that first week I found out I was pregnant. I think only pregnancy can give them that feeling.

my daughter has celiacs (2 years) just found out she is pregnant about 7 weeks and she had not had any symptoms except the very tender breasts. she had miscarried in november after trying for about a year. she found that all her vitaman levels were very very low, so they put her on shots, liquid and chewable vitamins. she has not had any morning sickness, she is a bit more tired but I knew she was pregnant when she said her breasts hurt and she was almost in tears because of it.