Sick Of Being Sick! Help

[meggielou]

I am new to this like so many others, but after years and years of not knowing what is wrong with me a friend suggested perhaps I have Celiac Disease. I have been to doctor after doctor for over 10 years now and I always get the same diagnosis'. I have an ulcer, it is stress,anxiety,depression etc... But here it is over 10 years later and I still feel bad. I have either D or C every day. My stomach grumbles and groans and hurts... I always feel bloated and I have tons of gas or so it seems. I do have depression and anxiety, but I think it is because I feel so badly. I am exhausted, all my joints hurt I get terrible headaches.. I can not sleep I just feel useless. I have a patch on my leg that popped up recentley that is red and itchy and will not go away. I have been itching a lot latley all over and it just won't stop. I feel like I get this flutter in my chest/throat sometimes and it takes my breath away. I do not know if it is gas that has built up or what. I just went to another doctor who checked ny gall bladder which of course is fine. I am just so sick of going to all these doctors and they basically brush me off as a hypochondriac and give me meds for depression etc... and I still do not feel better. After I eat I just know that the pain is coming because it is constant and the trips to the bathroom are an all day evebt... I just wanted some input on symptoms others experience and if I should just give up gluten w/out diagnosis because I just want to feel better.. I do not care if a doctor agrres with me or not...

[Mia H]

I am new to this like so many others, but after years and years of not knowing what is wrong with me a friend suggested perhaps I have Celiac Disease. I have been to doctor after doctor for over 10 years now and I always get the same diagnosis'. I have an ulcer, it is stress,anxiety,depression etc... But here it is over 10 years later and I still feel bad. I have either D or C every day. My stomach grumbles and groans and hurts... I always feel bloated and I have tons of gas or so it seems. I do have depression and anxiety, but I think it is because I feel so badly. I am exhausted, all my joints hurt I get terrible headaches.. I can not sleep I just feel useless. I have a patch on my leg that popped up recentley that is red and itchy and will not go away. I have been itching a lot latley all over and it just won't stop. I feel like I get this flutter in my chest/throat sometimes and it takes my breath away. I do not know if it is gas that has built up or what. I just went to another doctor who checked ny gall bladder which of course is fine. I am just so sick of going to all these doctors and they basically brush me off as a hypochondriac and give me meds for depression etc... and I still do not feel better. After I eat I just know that the pain is coming because it is constant and the trips to the bathroom are an all day evebt... I just wanted some input on symptoms others experience and if I should just give up gluten w/out diagnosis because I just want to feel better.. I do not care if a doctor agrres with me or not...

You definately sound like you could have Celiac or Gluten intolerance symptoms. I had chronic fatigue for 10+ years and was always offered prozac too. (I'm tired not depressed dammit!). Anyway, have you asked your dr to test you for celiac? They can run a blood test but you want to take the test before you give up gluten or it will make the test inaccurate. Just for your own peace of mind you could give up gluten for a week and see if there's any difference. I felt alittle better after a day. (well, like 1% but still). My stomach hurt less, the bloating stopped. I have been gluten free for 2 months now and am still slowly recovering. I'm about 50% better now and thats after giving up dairy too. I got tested at enterolab after my blood test came back negative. With enterolab I found out I am gluten and casein (dairy) intolerant which in the end has the same symptoms and treatment as celiac, life long gluten free.

Good luck and welcome.

Mia

[Nantzie]

I agree. It sounds like you're in the right place here.

Welcome, and I hope you start feeling better soon.

Nancy

[Lisa]

Meggielou:

Sounds like you doctor is going conventional, as in always refering to the usual and not willing to leave to box. Many doctors studied Celiac/Sprue in medical school, but have not seen many cases "that they knew about". It was alway considered a rare disease. They are learning to the contrary.

You have two choices:

1. You can demand that you doctor do a full blood scan for Celiac (others will post the exact test you need to have). Or you can have a small intestine endoscopy exam that may or maynot show the flattening of the vill, when they take several biopsys of the intesting. It is easy, with no pain as you are down under, and the results are conclusive, but expensive if you don't have insurance.

2. Or, you can go on a totally gluten free diet, which means toiletrees, shampoo, creams, toothpaste, lipstick. "Nini", on line has a beginners start-up kit that she can send you. Meaning, that is you go totally gluten free, and you feel better, there in is your answer.

If you choose to do a blood scan, DO NOT GO GLUTEN FREE BEFORE, as it will send a false negative in your testing.

You do sound like classic celiac....there is hope here. Feel free to ask any questions you have. There are a variety of experts here that can help you.

Lisa