Does Any Of This Sound Familiar?

[OzGirl]

Hi to everyone! After visiting the doctor about 6 months ago, he diagnosed IBS, ran blood tests for Celiac (which showed nothing) and told me to stay off gluten if I thought it would help me! All of which seemed way too confusing and I have continued on with life as per "normal". Since then I have been incredibly tired, lacking energy, feisty, lacking in tolerance, with all the IBS symptoms thrown in. I returned to the doctor this week because my exhaustion had turned into muscle weakness, my joints are aching, I am very hot of a nighttime, and the most disconcerting thing; after eating, I feel like my face swells (doesn't appear it though). The doctor ran more blood tests and announced me to be in perfect health! He asked if I was stressed/ depressed and offered anti depressants! (An offer I declined). I know that the logical thing is to go gluten free however most of my symptoms could be anything. I am on the "too heavy" side and don't have to make mad dashes to the loo. Is there anyone out there who experiences the face swelling thing? As i said, it isnt noticable, and is only a sensation (I'm assuming). Any thoughts would be appreciated as to my next move! ...Thanks.

[Guest nini]

yes I experienced the face swelling.

Please try the diet. Give it a good effort for at least 6 months before you decide if it's not helping. Your Dr. sounds to be wise in this regard. Keep in mind the testing is still not as reliable as the medical community would like us to believe. If it's positive there is no doubt, but when the tests are negative, it only means NOT POSITIVE... in my humble opinion, there is a lot more to gluten intolerance than just Celiac, and the testing hasn't caught onto this yet. Positive dietary response is the best way to tell if you are having a problem with gluten or not. And it certainly sounds like you could be, so it's worth trying the diet 100% no cheating for 6 months and then decide how you feel. The gluten-free diet can be a very healthy and inexpensive diet if done right. Stick with a diet of foods that are naturally gluten-free. Fresh fruits and veggies, clean unadulterated meats, nuts and beans, simple grains like rice and quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth, tapioca... on and on...

[rinne]

Oz Girl, welcome, I have a history of digestion issues and for the past 15 years have been on the round side with C as the main problem. It was only this winter I got sick enough to melt and lost 35 pounds. I don't advise waiting to take up a gluten free diet because if gluten is the issue you will only get sicker and going on a gluten free diet now will give you the answers you need. By the time I got sick cutting out gluten was only the beginning, I can't eat dairy now either, and a number of other foods.

Sounds like you have a great doctor.

[OzGirl]

Oz Girl, welcome, I have a history of digestion issues and for the past 15 years have been on the round side with C as the main problem. It was only this winter I got sick enough to melt and lost 35 pounds. I don't advise waiting to take up a gluten free diet because if gluten is the issue you will only get sicker and going on a gluten free diet now will give you the answers you need. By the time I got sick cutting out gluten was only the beginning, I can't eat dairy now either, and a number of other foods.

Sounds like you have a great doctor.

I don't think I'm replying correctly but here goes ! Thanks, to you both for your comments. There's just one other thing that I'd like to run by anyone who's listening out there. Can gluten bring on immense feelings of stress? I have been under stress from work which I do acknowledge, however it seems to me that my body is going into an overdrvive sensation of being so twitchy it's almost unbearable after I eat. My neck feels so stiff it feels like it's going to snap off, and I almost get a feeling of panic - frenetic uncoordinated type body twinges. Last night my face felt so tense, that my gums were aching. Could this be a response to gluten/wheat? thanks.

[par18]

I don't think I'm replying correctly but here goes ! Thanks, to you both for your comments. There's just one other thing that I'd like to run by anyone who's listening out there. Can gluten bring on immense feelings of stress? I have been under stress from work which I do acknowledge, however it seems to me that my body is going into an overdrvive sensation of being so twitchy it's almost unbearable after I eat. My neck feels so stiff it feels like it's going to snap off, and I almost get a feeling of panic - frenetic uncoordinated type body twinges. Last night my face felt so tense, that my gums were aching. Could this be a response to gluten/wheat? thanks.

I don't know if this could be a response to gluten/wheat. You could try not eating gluten/wheat and see if it helps. To me that would be the easiest thing to try.

Tom

[Felidae]

Can gluten bring on immense feelings of stress? I have been under stress from work which I do acknowledge, however it seems to me that my body is going into an overdrvive sensation of being so twitchy it's almost unbearable after I eat. My neck feels so stiff it feels like it's going to snap off, and I almost get a feeling of panic - frenetic uncoordinated type body twinges. Last night my face felt so tense, that my gums were aching. Could this be a response to gluten/wheat? thanks.

I personally think it could be the gluten. I didn't realize that gluten was causing my anxiety and extreme worrying until I went off gluten. I am a very calm person now; it's really amazing. I lost all of my exam anxiety and little things that always bothered me stopped after being gluten-free for awhile.