Strange Symptoms - Could This Possibly Be A Gluten Allergy?

[bkershaw]

I am 37 years old and after the birth of my last child began having strange symptoms:

1) Anemia - have had this on and off for years

2) Severe Abdominal Pain - on left side, in middle and sometimes right side

3) Diarrhea or constipation

4) Extreme Fatigue

5) Depression

6) Irritability and Anxiety

7) Severe Nausea

8) Frequent Migraines

9) Tingling in feet

10) Dizziness

My primary physcian diagnosed anemia and postpartum depression and then when I began having the abdominal pain, I was diagnosed with a gallbladder disease (no stones) and had my gallbladder removed. After the surgery, I was still having severe pain and severe nausea. I became severely dehydrated and was placed in the hospital for three days. I was seen by a gastroenterologist. I was told there was no diagnosis and put on several medications. That was in March/April 2006. I began eating more protein in my diet and I started to feel better and by July 2006 I thought this was over. I was feeling better, but not great and accepted the diagnosis of a reaction to surgery.

Then in December 2006 - the severe abdominal pains came back and again, I went to the emergency room. I was told I was anemic again and it was probably IBS or endometriosis. I went back to the gastroenterologist who put me on librax and protonix....the pains in my abdomen have decreased but I still have them. The gastro stated that I guess they should not have removed your gallbladder!! I was told that I am good 90% of the time and that is not bad. Again, I am having frequent migraines, nausea, fatigue and pain for no reason. Some days I have severe diarrhea and sometimes I am constipated. The gastro seems to think this is all stress, but I do not feel stressed.

My father mentioned allergies to gluten and I tried to find something that described the abdominal pain and location to see if this could possibly be related to gluten allergies. Has anyone experienced severe abdominal pain? Also - is this something that could come and go - could I be fine from July 2006 until December 2006 and then suddenly have a severe symptoms again?

Thank you so much for your answers!

[CarlaB]

It could be. I would ask your doctor to do a celiac panel, be sure he does all five tests. Your symptoms fit. Do not try the gluten-free diet until you are finished with the testing.

If the tests come out negative, you still should try the gluten-free diet. If you're gluten intolerant, but not celiac, the celiac tests will come out negative, but you will get better on the gluten-free diet.

[chatycady]

Yes I have had bad stomach pains. I thought I was passing a kidney stone once, or something like that. I was unsucessful in getting a "qualified" celiac diagnosis and went on the diet anyway. I no longer have any pain. Carbohydrates still flow through me pretty fast, but no D.

Have the blood test and then make a decision. Hope you find a answer and soon.