Another Newbie

[cathywj]

hi everyone,

here is a little background....my son (3years) has a wheat intolerance and we went gluten free with him and he reacted very positively with an increase in appetite and solid bowel movements for the first time. he also has gerd (since birth), intollerances to soy, corn and some dairy. he follows a strict diet. after reading up on gluten intollerance and celiac disease, i think i see myself and my family. i have been following the gluten free diet with my son and when i go off it things get iffy.

i guess i need to hear any ideas or thoughts about what to look for that may or may not be celiac. my symptoms are alternating C and D, cramps, scalp psoriasis, strange itchy excema rash on my face, seems like i have issues with fatty foods also. i also have seasonal alllergies, asthma. i would like to catch the gluten problem earlier rather than later before some other big issues come into play. i have read that diabetes seems to go hand in hand with this and it runs in my family.

i am thinking i will go the enterlab route for testing. my gp retired and that means getting to know a new dr which i am not too excited about. also dh is self employed and insurance is a slight issue. i have a check-up coming up with the ob/gyn...is this something i should mention to them or will they be like "you need a gi"?

thanks for any insights you all can offer.

cathy

[CarlaB]

Definately sounds possible that you have it. I had alternating c and d, then mostly d. I also get the scalp rash and little blisters, plus many other symptoms.

I would guess that your ob/gyn could order the celiac panel. Be sure it's all five tests, maybe someone else can post what they are. If you've been off gluten, the test can be affected (mine was), then you'd need Enterolab.

I just went to my ob/gyn and he's ordered some test for me to be sure my iron, thyroid, and lipids are okay, so I would imagine yours would do the celiac panel for you if you asked.

[Lisa]

Carla:

There is alot of information that you should know about Celiac and I hope that you have been reading these posts. The amount of information you can get here is emence.

It does sound like you do have Celiac as well as you child. If you would like a proper dx. then you should be tested. With limited insurance, you can also self-dx, by going gluten free. Going gluten free is a very extensive process, not expensive, but very detailed.

Nini, here on the site have a "Newbe Kit" that can get you started. It will include basic foods, meds that are gluten free, and shampoos, soaps and lotions. Her computer was down for a while and not sure whether is is up yet, but someone can get you to the site.

It is really overwhelming in the beginning, but after a few months, you can have a pretty good handle on things.

We have all been in the same place as you and always feel free to ask away. That is why we are here, to help and we do have fun here as well.

Hope this helps. Lisa

[rinne]

This is a great place to learn about Celiac and there are many knowledgeable and caring people who will answer your questions, and already have. I think this site is far more helpful than any doctor I have seen yet and people here are far more knowledgeable than many doctors. If you take the time to read people's signatures at the bottom of their posts you will see that many people were diagnosed with other problems before they were finally diagnosed with Celiac and it was the Celiac that so often caused the problems they were diagnosed with.

I think the challenge to being a Celiac is knowing that you just have to trust your body. My doctor (Chinese Acupuncterist) says, "we must understand the body, we must love the body" and I am beginning to understand what that means. It means that all those times I ate wheat, ignoring that my body always said "mistake, don't digest" resulted in my getting sick. Trust yourself, trust your gut, as you will find out all your tests may come back negative and you may be left with having spent a lot of moneyand still have to have to decide for yourself what you will do.

Editted to add that the Enterlab tests seems well received by people here, I am referring to the usual blood test and scope done by westerns doctors.

[cathywj]

thanks so much! i appreciate the support and will be reading more on this. my ob/gyn is great and we have a good relationship. it would be easier talking to him about this than a new md. enterolab is another option. with my son, i was letting so much gluten slip by before i got dana korn's book "wheat free, worry free." his gi's office just gave me a small list of a stuff to avoid, not a conclusive list but they have been helpful and supportive anyway. now i am much better at knowing what to avoid. my son had blood work and biopsies to check for gerd problems, celiac and maybe EE. (he tested neg on the celiac. but the diet seems to make a big difference for him so i think the test was inaccurate.) with my own diet, the hard part will be giving up a few things that i really like. i am sure you all know about that. i have mastered a few bakery items like muffins and a decent everyday bread. makes a big difference having stuff to eat that is tastey. thanks for making me feel welcome.