Is It In My Head?

[sarahelizabeth]

Before I go complaining to a Dr about this I am just wondering if this could be celiac related or if its just in my head

Everytime I eat a heavy gluten meal (like ravioli tonight) I itch... my hands, elbows, bottoms of my feet, knees, and back of my neck, and sometimes my head too... they all itch like crazy for a few hours. am I nuts?? There's nothing there... no rash or anything... it just itches.

I have a bunch of other symptoms (and one child who has been tested for bowel issues and anotehr who will be tested for stunted growth) and am trying to get up the courage to go ask my Dr for the test. I've had IBS for years but it got tons worse after having my first child. My poop floats... honestly I don't remember a time that it didn't and it often sticks to the sides of the toilet (sorry tmi). I have HORRIBLE gas and bloating (sorry tmi) to the point of being woken up in the middle of the night in pain. I get head aches/migrains all the time. I am chronically fatigued to the point of needing a daily nap. I've had infertility problems (needed drugs for both pregnancies). I get mouth sores regularly and I've had 20 cavities in the past 4 years after having NONE before that. The list could go on The only thing is that I am overweight and not under by any means

Honestly I am almost afraid to know... I know I should go in and ask for the test but it scares me... stupid I know (please don't bash me for that). I just need to kick my butt in gear and go and ask for the tests.

[SarahCC]

dont be scared. it is a crappy thing to go through but what makes me feel better is that I think of it as a mandatory (slightly altered) atkins diet! ) I know thats reaching, but what else can we do?! Good luck and please get checked, as you can tell its better to be safe than sorry! Good Luck!!

[Lisa]

SarahE:

Celiac comes with over 200 symptoms and many that you have listed could be attributed to Celiac Disease or the least, a gluten intolerance.

Since your have seen a failure to thrive in one of your children and one with bowl issue, for the sake of you children I would pursue testing for yourself. This could impact your children's medical future. Your symptoms sound very classic.

I would suggest that you stay on a gluten diet and request that you doctor do a full panel Celiac Blood work. Others can recommend the exact test that you should have.

It is nothing to be fearful about. Finding a medical solution and a follow through with result without drugs is a very good thing. Being diagnosed with Celiac Disease sounds a little lofty in the beginning, but to cure your ills just by a diet change should be a welcome avenue. If this is your case, we have many, many people who can walk you though it to ease your transition.

You have to think about your children also. This is a genetic tendency.

You have found yourself a wonderful site. I have never known more informative and sharing people. Please feel that you can ask away.

[mamabear]

Before I go complaining to a Dr about this I am just wondering if this could be celiac related or if its just in my head

Everytime I eat a heavy gluten meal (like ravioli tonight) I itch... my hands, elbows, bottoms of my feet, knees, and back of my neck, and sometimes my head too... they all itch like crazy for a few hours. am I nuts?? There's nothing there... no rash or anything... it just itches.

I have a bunch of other symptoms (and one child who has been tested for bowel issues and anotehr who will be tested for stunted growth) and am trying to get up the courage to go ask my Dr for the test. I've had IBS for years but it got tons worse after having my first child. I have HORRIBLE gas and bloating (sorry tmi) to the point of being woken up in the middle of the night in pain. I get head aches/migrains all the time. I am chronically fatigued to the point of needing a daily nap. I've had infertility problems (needed drugs for both pregnancies). I get mouth sores regularly and I've had 20 cavities in the past 4 years after having NONE before that. The list could go on The only thing is that I am overweight and not under by any means

Honestly I am almost afraid to know... I know I should go in and ask for the test but it scares me... stupid I know (please don't bash me for that). I just need to kick my butt in gear and go and ask for the tests.

sarahelizabeth,

Please don't bash yourself for thinking of this! Most doctors do not understand that being overweight can also be a symptom of celiac disease. When your body starves, it saves fat for energy sources. When you are malabsorbing....celiac or other malabsorptive conditions, your body can hold on to the fatty stores and make it very difficult to lose weight! Quite a paradox, but it's real.

I commend you for writing, and hope you ask your (hopefully enlightened) physician for a celiac blood panel and tissue transglutaminase antibody. Please keep us posted!

[Ursa Major]

Sarahelizabeth, all your symptoms sound like celiac disease to me. I am overweight,too, and that's why my doctor wouldn't test me, even though I had all the other symptoms two years ago.

I used to also get terribly itchy all over, including my palms and soles of my feet. It was so bad that I'd scratch myself bloody in my sleep, if I could sleep, that is. I very rarely have that problem now (and when I do it probably means I've been glutened somehow).

IBS is a junk diagnosis. All it means is that your doctor is clueless as to what is causing your symptoms, and he wants to give it a label to look educated. Think about it: If your bowels are irritated, there must be a cause! So, let's find out what is irritating them, so the cause can be removed. And in your case, it looks a lot like it is gluten.