Question About Symptoms

[NicoleS]

Hi there,

The more I read about Celiac makes me so sure that I have this. I have battled for years to find out what is wrong with me. No one in my family has it that I know of. But I have had IBS for years, lots of gas all the time, I am constantly burping, always feel bloated too. Ever since I got meningitis 8 years ago I went from 130 lb to 115 and never gained it back. now I'm 108 at 5"5 and no matter how much I eat I can't gain weight!! I found out last summer that I was extremely anemic so I started taking Iron pills which helped. I thought that was why I couldn't gain weight and was tired all the time but when I got re-tested last month it was normal because of taking iron 3x day. Also I started developing pain in my legs and cramping and tingling in my feet 3 years ago. They did several tests and couldn't find anything and chalked it up to fibromyalgia. Anyway, I called a gastrointerologist today to make an apt to be tested. I was describing my symptoms and the receptionist said I probably don't have it becuase I would notice right after I ate anything with gluten that i would instantly feel really sick. But everything I have read, it sounds like it's a constant bad feeling no matter if it's right after eating or not? Can anyone tell me it this is true or not? Thanks for reading my long post.

[Lisa]

Hi there,

The more I read about Celiac makes me so sure that I have this. I have battled for years to find out what is wrong with me. No one in my family has it that I know of. But I have had IBS for years, lots of gas all the time, I am constantly burping, always feel bloated too. Ever since I got meningitis 8 years ago I went from 130 lb to 115 and never gained it back. now I'm 108 at 5"5 and no matter how much I eat I can't gain weight!! I found out last summer that I was extremely anemic so I started taking Iron pills which helped. I thought that was why I couldn't gain weight and was tired all the time but when I got re-tested last month it was normal because of taking iron 3x day. Also I started developing pain in my legs and cramping and tingling in my feet 3 years ago. They did several tests and couldn't find anything and chalked it up to fibromyalgia. Anyway, I called a gastrointerologist today to make an apt to be tested. I was describing my symptoms and the receptionist said I probably don't have it becuase I would notice right after I ate anything with gluten that i would instantly feel really sick. But everything I have read, it sounds like it's a constant bad feeling no matter if it's right after eating or not? Can anyone tell me it this is true or not? Thanks for reading my long post.

Hey Nicole and Welcome:

Celiac has over 200 symptoms and you have several. What stands out for me is that you had meningitis and more serious symptoms arrived. Celiac is often trigger by an illness, trauma, pregnancy, stress. You weight loss and iron deficiency is also a good indicator. Many people here have also been misdiagnosed with fibro as well. Celiac is in your family and you very well may be predisposed to Celiac and your meningitis kicked it in.

What really bothers me is that a receptionist is diagnosing you. She is ill informed and making statements effecting the health and wellness of patients seeking help, frankly, is not within her relm of responsibility, nor experience.

Continue with a full gluten diet, demand a full Celiac Panel (some one here will post that for you) and follow through with your appointment.

Please ask if you have any further question.

[aikiducky]

It's not true that you have to notice it right after eating. It's possible, but actually I think more often people react a while after eating. Some only notice symptoms a whole 24 hours after ingesting gluten. In my own case it takes me about 4-6 hours before I really react, though it can kinda start to build up a bit before that with a full feeling in my tummy and some really disgusting gas.

I think the receptionist might have been thinking about an allergic reaction, those can be really quick.

Pauliina