Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Ok, I Gotta Ask This...

JerryK

Recommended Posts

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted
Hey, I have those vertical ridges, too! I wonder if they'll go away?

After 1 year, mine did--as well as the horizontal dips I had in both thumbnails. This diet has been very good to my hair and nails! :D

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


penguin Community Regular
penguin
Posted

I never knew that wasn't normal! I'd love for the dips and divots to go away from my nails, also!

I wish the diet would stay out of my hair, though! The last thing I need is THICKER hair!!! I already have the hair of 4 people! :blink:

megzmc3611 Rookie
megzmc3611
Posted
I apparently looked sick. Now I have people comming up to me saying how much better I look. I know that everyone thought that I was anorexic. Too bad they didn't tell me when I looked sick, they just told each other. :blink:

Same with me! Now people tell me they were really worried about me being anorexic.

Now that I am healthy...everyone is telling me how good I look and how I was way too skinny before.

lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted

I looked perfectly healthy (I was slim but within a normal weight for my size) until I got so sick I had to be hospitalized for 11 days and miss 10 weeks of work. Although I had been somewhat tired from what turned out to be anemia, I was pretty much OK until I got so sick I couldn't function. I hope it doesn't take that to convince your doctor.

richard

jennyj Collaborator
jennyj
Posted

Almost two years ago, before I found out I was Celiac, I was extremely anemic. I was in the hospital waiting room waiting for my brother (who just got home from Iraq) to get out of surgery. His doctor came in and asked for his sister and I motioned to him. When he came up to me he said "Oh my god. Are you ok? Has someone been abusing you?" at which time he removed my glasses and stared into my eyes and felt my face. I told him no I was just severely anemic and asked him about my brother. He said that that could wait and if I needed help. Again I told him I was ok. He told me about my brothers surgery but also gave me his card.

Mango04 Enthusiast
Mango04
Posted

I was always about 5-10 pounds overweight and bloated before going gluten-free. My face always looked really puffy. That went away when I changed my diet. I don't know if I have celiac or just gluten intolerance though.

I do have those ridges on my nails. I didn't know that wasn't normal....

debmidge Rising Star
debmidge
Posted

My husband has looking anexoric and sickly (gray pasty coloring on face, deep dark circles around eyes) for many years and doctors would look past that and rely on blood tests (a celiac disease blood test was never done until 2003) and since blood work was normal they'd think he was well (despite looking like a walking skeleton). One gastro from a very large prestigious group here in North Jersey told him he needed psychological counseling as nothing was wrong with him. Are looks that deceiving? I guess the doctor was Dr. Magoo....

On another topic, I've had a viral flu several years ago and got 3 prescriptions: an anti biotic to prevent a bacterial secondary infection, an anti viral medication and a third for the bronchial symptoms as this flu affected my breathing (I am a non smoker too).

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


lindalee Enthusiast
lindalee
Posted
I looked perfectly healthy (I was slim but within a normal weight for my size) until I got so sick I had to be hospitalized for 11 days and miss 10 weeks of work. Although I had been somewhat tired from what turned out to be anemia, I was pretty much OK until I got so sick I couldn't function. I hope it doesn't take that to convince your doctor.

richard

What were your symptoms? Do you have to go to the dr. to see if you are low on iron or anemic? That may be why I have been without energy. I am looking for a dr. I know I have celiac disease (was diagnosed as a baby but thought I outgrew it. Now I trying to get totally gluten-free. Thanks, LindaLee

schuyler Apprentice
schuyler
Posted

Apparently I looked pretty sick prior to my diagnosis, but I didn't notice it (and no one bothered to tell me). My appearance hasn't changed much, I'm still incredibly pale (but I've always been pale)and thin, with dark circles under my eyes and I'm covered in bruises. It's funny how before my diagnosis, no one bothered to tell me how sick I looked, but now, they can't shut their mouths about how sick I look.

About the fingernail ridges and dips, I never realized those were not normal! I've had those for so many years.

eleep Enthusiast
eleep
Posted

Well -- I've always had the "so thin people think I'm anorexic" problem, the dark circles (I'm a concealer addict) and fingernail ridges and paleness. At times, I was pretty clear that there was something decidedly wrong -- I went from being thin to having a gaunt face -- which I knew wasn't right.

I've also been a workout-person for the last eight years, so I think that people mistook some of the muscle mass for absolute health -- I know my ex-boyfriend did -- it makes me shudder to think about the fact that I was so sick at times and he found me so attractive -- or claimed to -- I think that was part of the reason he found it so hard to believe the celiac diagnosis and split.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. ShariW
      - ShariW commented on Scott Adams's article in Frequently Asked Questions About Celiac Disease
      4

      What are Celiac Disease Symptoms?

      In addition to gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, I had gastroesophageal reflux that was becoming intolerable despite treatment with PPIs and antacids. When I went gluten-free, the GERD lessened tremendously (as did the other symptoms).
    2. klmgarland
      - klmgarland replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      2

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      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!!
    3. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      2

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      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 ...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jmartes71's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      1

      My only proof

      It's very frustrating to be dismissed by medical professionals, especially when you are the one living with the reality of your condition every day. Having to be your own advocate and "fight" for a doctor who will listen is an exhausting burden that no one should have to carry. While that 1998 brochure is a crucial piece of your personal history, it's infuriating...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Colleen H's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      1

      Methylprednisone treatment for inflammation?

      Methylprednisolone is sometimes prescribed for significant inflammation of the stomach and intestines, particularly for conditions like Crohn's disease, certain types of severe colitis, or autoimmune-related gastrointestinal inflammation. As a corticosteroid, it works by powerfully and quickly suppressing the immune system's inflammatory response. For many...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,908
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    ebrown
    Newest Member
    ebrown
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • klmgarland
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By klmgarland · Posted

      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
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      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:  
    • Scott Adams
      My only proof

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It's very frustrating to be dismissed by medical professionals, especially when you are the one living with the reality of your condition every day. Having to be your own advocate and "fight" for a doctor who will listen is an exhausting burden that no one should have to carry. While that 1998 brochure is a crucial piece of your personal history, it's infuriating that the medical system often requires more contemporary, formal documentation to take a condition seriously. It's a common and deeply unfair situation for those who were diagnosed decades ago, before current record-keeping and testing were standard. You are not alone in this struggle.
    • Scott Adams
      Methylprednisone treatment for inflammation?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Methylprednisolone is sometimes prescribed for significant inflammation of the stomach and intestines, particularly for conditions like Crohn's disease, certain types of severe colitis, or autoimmune-related gastrointestinal inflammation. As a corticosteroid, it works by powerfully and quickly suppressing the immune system's inflammatory response. For many people, it can be very effective at reducing inflammation and providing rapid relief from symptoms like pain, diarrhea, and bleeding, often serving as a short-term "rescue" treatment to bring a severe flare under control. However, experiences can vary, and its effectiveness depends heavily on the specific cause of the inflammation. It's also important to be aware that while it can work well, it comes with potential side effects, especially with longer-term use, so it's typically used for the shortest duration possible under close medical supervision. It's always best to discuss the potential benefits and risks specific to your situation with your gastroenterologist.
    • Scott Adams
      I think I am gluten intolerant

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Based on what you've described, it is absolutely possible you are dealing with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).  Approximately 10x more people have non-celiac gluten sensitivity than have celiac disease, but there isn’t yet a test for NCGS. If your symptoms go away on a gluten-free diet it would likely signal NCGS.   Your situation is a classic presentation: a negative celiac panel but a clear, recurring pattern of symptoms triggered by gluten. The symptoms you listed—particularly the extreme fatigue, bloating, neurological-psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety, and even the skin manifestations like facial flushing—are all well-documented in research on NCGS. It's important to know that you are not alone in experiencing this specific combination of physical and emotional reactions. The only way to know for sure is to commit to a strict, 100% gluten-free diet under the guidance of a doctor or dietitian for a period of several weeks to see if your symptoms significantly improve. It is also crucial to rule out other potential causes, so discussing these symptoms with a gastroenterologist is a very important next step.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.