Need Advice

[blossom]

Hi everyone. I am a 37 y/0 female and I suspect that I might have Celiac disease. My diarrhea symptoms go WAY back...as a child I was very small and allergic to everything (but I dont' remember having many intestinal problems then). My mother took me to an allergist where they did the skin test and it came back positive for almost everything (including wheat). Since these tests can be inaccurate and I was so small, my mother let me eat basically everything. I do remember having bouts of diarrhea (usually after meals) a lot during my teens and into my twenties. Because I also suffer from anxiety and because my mother was diagnosed with "irritable bowel" I just assumed that was the problem. So within the past 2 months I have had really bad diarrhea with occasional loose stools. No weight loss, though.. but that may be because I eat like a pig (I am 5'2" and 120 pounds, normal weight). I do have occasional break-outs of itchy bumps, but nothing severe. I'm reluctant to go to the doctor about this due to my anxiety issues (I take zoloft) because I feel that they would automatically assume "IBS or anxiety-related diarrhea. I thought I would try going wheat-free for a week or so to see if that helped. Well, I stopped all wheat 4 days ago and I have noticed a dramatic difference. No bloating, gas, diarrhea....staying on the diet has been a challenge b/c I love bread; but I really can feel the difference. I have been thinking about re-introducing wheat to see what happens....So I guess my question is....is there any real benefit to going to my physician other than getting the diagnosis? Do any of you take nutritional supplements b/c aren't whole wheat products a significant source of B12? I'd appreciate any comments or advice!!!!

[celiacgirls]

My children and I were diagnosed by Enterolab after one child repeatedly tested negative by the regular doctors. I felt the need to see a doctor for myself just so I wasn't "being my own doctor". I figured I would use what he said for my children. He only sees adults or I would have taken them, too. I went to a doctor who uses Enterolab because I thought he would accept it and know a lot about celiac disease and gluten intolerance. He ordered a blood test to check my vitamin/mineral levels and a bone density scan, both of which you could probably get your primary care physician to do.

I'm not planning on taking my kids to a GI doctor about this. First, because the one we went to before doesn't think my daughter needs to be gluten-free, and second, I'm not sure what the GI would do that their pediatrician can't do. There's only 4 pedi GI's here, all in the same practice, so I don't think any of them will be receptive to Enterolab.

I also met with a dietician who was a celiac and she told us to take calcium and Vitamin D along with a multivitamin. She said multivitamins usually cover the B vitamin deficiency. For my vegetarian, dairy-free daughter, she said to take an iron supplement.

[Guhlia]

It sounds to me like you already have your answer... However, if you need proof (positive testing) I would probably go through Enterolab. Their testing is much more sensitive than the blood tests that doctors will give. If you need an official diagnosis to stick to the diet, then go get it NOW before you're off gluten for too long. BTW, with Enterolab you can be gluten free for up to two years and still test positive.

[CarlaB]

I was tested by Enterolab. It seems that even though I feel bad, every symptom comes out as subclinical, so the docs just don't find it.

I'm going to an MD now who was tired of people coming in her office and not being able to help them with conventional medicine. She now concentrates on getting people healthy. My gluten intolerance was picked up by Enterolab, even though it was "subclinical" with the other docs. I still am just as sensitive as any celiac is and get sick off even a crumb.

Your story is very similar to mine.