Could My Symptoms Be Celiac?

[DBRIDGEVEGAS]

Hello... I have had some serious symptoms for a couple of years now. Whenever I eat I get really bad gas and stomach bloating, to the point where if I don't burp a bunch of times I get dizzy and feel like I am having a panic attack... If I eat too late in the evening, I can't sleep because of the pressure in my stomach... I sometimes have to sit up and burp to be able to go back to sleep... I have frequent headaches... sometimes daily... My shoulders and elbow joints have been aching a lot... I have chronic sinus problems... I get sick very often... sometimes after I eat my stomach burns just above my navel to the left side just under my rib... I suffer from intermittent diarrhea... I get chest pains that are near my armpits and my heart ( i know its not heart related i have been to the AZ heart institute) that seem to be relieved when I burp. The list goes on... I am at my wits end dealing with doctors that tell me I am a hypochondriac or just dismiss it and write me a prescription for anti-biotics. I would like to know if this sounds like celiac... if anyone has had any of these symptoms... and what type of testing should I have done...? THANKS!

[Canadian Karen]

Hi! Welcome to the board!

From what you describe, it sounds ALOT like what I have gone through..... Sometimes the burping will be constant and each breath in brings a new burp. Oddly enough, I burp most after I just had a bm (I have permanent diarrhea)...... Sometimes the gas pain is so severe, it cuts my breath off......

I would definitely pursue a possible celiac diagnosis. Usually, it is a bloodtest first, then biopsy. From my experience though, testing is not 100% accurate, but positive dietary response IS! There are so many times when bloodwork is inconclusive and biopsy is uncertain (they have to take samples from the damaged areas which quite often are "patchy", so it's hit or miss.....).

Another thing to consider is the fact that even if you are not positive for celiac, millions of people are gluten intolerant without the actual celiac gene. Again, only adherence to the gluten free diet will prove this one way or the other.....

If you read though some threads here, I think you will find alot of familiar stories very similar to yours on here...... There's a great bunch of people here who are always willing to answer questions you have....

Karen

[nettiebeads]

I agree with Karen. It sounds like celiac could be a culpret. There is a celiac blood panel that could be done, stomach biopsy to see what your intestines are like, but there is a high likelyhood of false negatives. So many posters here swear by Enterolab. Or try the gluten-free diet - that's how I was dx'd and some in the medical community are thinking that is the best test - the diet challenge. Good luck and keep us posted, please!

Annette

[Guinevere]

if you wait for a test ( blood or endoscopy) you'll be putting yourself through H--- for nothing! I have been gluten free for 3 years and tested negative to both. look into gluten-free foods and just start. its not that bad once you accept it.

welcome aboard - good people and excellent information here.

[Guest nini]

I agree with Karen, it def. sounds like Celiac, and the only for sure way to tell would be to try the diet and see if it helps your symptoms. If you are the kind of person that would require a Dr.s support on this then don't go gluten-free until after all testing is done, BUT keep in mind there is a high rate of false negatives on the testing. The most accurate and valid diagnostic tool is how does your body respond to the diet?

Welcome to this board and feel free to ask any questions that come up.