Quick Question For Anyone

[GraceE]

Hello there! I've finally decided to get a new doctor who I'm going to see next week. She's an internist but is the highly recommended doctor of a friend who has both type 2 diabetes and celiac and seems to know a lot about it. I'm gathering all of my notes on the stomach issues I've had for years and I just have a quick question for anyone. For those of you that are diagnosed celiac's...did you ever have days or even weeks before you went gluten free that where you felt good, even though you ate gluten or were you basically sick ALL the time? And same question to those of you out there that have not been diagnosed and are just suspicious that you might have a gluten intolerance. I guess I'm STILL feeling that since I do have some good days or weeks that maybe I do just have severe IBS and have to deal with it. Just curious! Thanks!

[Ursa Major]

Grace, I never felt well. But I certainly had days and even weeks were I felt okay. And all those years before 2005 I never had chronic diarrhea, my intestinal issues were intermittent.

And there is no such thing as severe IBS. If your bowel is irritated, there is a reason for it. To say you have IBS is saying that your symptoms are your disease. The symptoms are just pointing to a problem. You need to find out what it is, so you can fix it and make your symptoms go away!

I hope you get the answers you need. But if your tests are negative, try the gluten-free diet anyway. It can't hurt you, and it might just fix your 'IBS'.

[missy'smom]

I always say I wasn't well a day since my son was born, 8 years ago. However, when I went to Japan, I was miraculously much better very soon after arriving. So much so that my husband and I seriously talked about moving there because it agreed with me so well. Now, I look back and think it had alot to do with gluten because even though I wasn't gluten-free there, I was getting so much less than I was in the U.S. that I think my body got kind of a break. Long term this wouldn't have lasted though because any amount of gluten causes damage. Everyone has different experiences but, I would never have figured out that gluten was the problem if a GI hadn't pointed me in the right direction.

I haven't been tested. I was in the middle of moving and after talking to the Dr. and checking celiac disease out I was sure that was my problem and went gluten-free and never looked back. I had no doubts and am committed for life. Knowing what I do now, I would recommend testing if you have doubts and access to a good Dr. Read Dr. Peter Greene's book "Celiac Disease a Hidden Epidemic" esp. about testing so that you can make an informed decision. I have a family member that I think really needs scientific test results if they are going to committ to the gluten-free diet for life, that's just how this person is put together. I don't really care if I'm gluten intolerant or have celiac disease, although I really believe it's the later. I know I need to be gluten-free and that I was sick before and well now. I may go in for some testing later as part of my general check-up just to be sure that I don't have any other related problems like diabetes or ongoing nutritional deficiencies, etc. It sounds like you're on the right track. Just becareful about discounting symptoms or thinking you just have to accept them. I did that too long and my family member is still doing it.

[GraceE]

Grace, I never felt well. But I certainly had days and even weeks were I felt okay. And all those years before 2005 I never had chronic diarrhea, my intestinal issues were intermittent.

And there is no such thing as severe IBS. If your bowel is irritated, there is a reason for it. To say you have IBS is saying that your symptoms are your disease. The symptoms are just pointing to a problem. You need to find out what it is, so you can fix it and make your symptoms go away!

I hope you get the answers you need. But if your tests are negative, try the gluten-free diet anyway. It can't hurt you, and it might just fix your 'IBS'.

Hi and thank you for the comments! I like how you say that the symptoms are pointing to a problem. I honestly am driving myself absolutely nuts with this. A few months ago I was not ever well. I would be in the bathroom with such horrible D that I was shaking and sweating and almost passing out. I also had horrible gas and just felt awful all the time. This went on for months, and intermittenly for years. Now, the severity of it is better, which is why I'm doubting my thoughts on celiac. Then I have days like yesterday...mild nausea off and on all day. Last night my stomach was so bloated I looked 4 months pregnant AND I had gained 4 or 5 pounds in one day. When I woke up this morning the bloating was mostly gone and I had lost 4 pounds. I just have a hard time accepting that that's just IBS (which is stress related).

You know what else is interesting? My mom has had major stomach problems her whole life...constipation more than D, major bloating (I mean MAJOR), reflux, gas, even early onset rheumatoid arthritis, depression, the list goes on. My mom is my best friend and a wonderful nurse, BUT she still thinks she has IBS, joint problems, etc. that are just part of her body for no reason and she has to deal with it. I think she has more classic symptoms than me! But celiac isn't something she learned much about in school...plus, she was in nursing school back in the late seventies/early eighties when I know the research on celiac wasn't great.

Anyway, sorry for the ramble! It's just a confusing thing, especially since I haven't had the severe symptoms lately. I appreciate the advice!