Additional Tests / Information Required

[Susanwisely]

Hi there.

Ive been gluten-free since October last yr, weigh around 94 lbs mark, very underweight, was very symptomatic pre diagnosis, have a complete burnt out villi and very inflammed gut. My Specialist said it was the worst case he has seen. Since gluten-free its been good, but no weight gain. Dietician has given me Fortisip drinks 3 x per day. Ive gained 8lbs but thats stopped now. Still eating alot of food during the day too. Definitely 100% no gluten getting into the diet.

My Specialist wants me to get another Endoscopy this Thurs coming as my checkup and also a Barium Swallow. Can anybody tell me why I am getting a Barium Swallow? I dont understand the reason behind it?

Can somebody advise if Crohns disease can be picked up in the Endocopy when this is being carried out? The symptoms seem very similar to celiac disease and with my weight loss and being very thin could this be related? Or would this have been picked up by now?

[dally099]

hi there, i can totally understand about the weight thing, i got down to 97lbs in jan and im 5'4" tall way to skinny, im up to 107lbs now. my doc told me to eat full fat dairy, cheeze, ice cream everything. as well i started to lift heavier weights and gain some muscle. im a runner so at 97lbs i couldnt work out very well no energy. i dont know what you eat but the celiac diet can be very low in fat and calories so you may have to get creative and find ways to add fat to your diet. red meat is another one, splurge and eat bacon and eggs for breakfast a couple of times a week. now im not saying to eat like this forever god you would die of heart desease but at least till the weights on i have started to go back to lower fat dairy again, and eating more chicken again hopefully i can maintain the weight gain. good luck, looking hollwood skinny is not everything its cracked up to be.

[nikki-uk]

Hi there.

Ive been gluten-free since October last yr, weigh around 94 lbs mark, very underweight, was very symptomatic pre diagnosis, have a complete burnt out villi and very inflammed gut. My Specialist said it was the worst case he has seen. Since gluten-free its been good, but no weight gain. Dietician has given me Fortisip drinks 3 x per day. Ive gained 8lbs but thats stopped now. Still eating alot of food during the day too. Definitely 100% no gluten getting into the diet.

My Specialist wants me to get another Endoscopy this Thurs coming as my checkup and also a Barium Swallow. Can anybody tell me why I am getting a Barium Swallow? I dont understand the reason behind it?

Can somebody advise if Crohns disease can be picked up in the Endocopy when this is being carried out? The symptoms seem very similar to celiac disease and with my weight loss and being very thin could this be related? Or would this have been picked up by now?

My hubby was seriously underweight at the time of dx (7 and a half st ) and had to have the build up drinks.

He's been gluten-free now for 2and a half yrs now and I would say it took him 18months to get back to a healthy weight.

He's still on the 'slim' side and looses any weight really easy.

It is something he has to keep making an effort at (trying to eat more than he really wants, adding high calorie foods etc)

Keep at it!! - it probably took alot of yrs for your bowel to get that damaged - it's going to take some time to fully repair and you absorb all nutrients

It can take an adult up to 2 years for their gut to completely repair.

My hubby also had a barium swallow and this usually picks up stomach ulcers or any damage from reflux.

It's possible it is also a diagnostic tool in dxing Crohns ( I'm not totally sure)

Docs usually also do a 'double ender' (endoscopy and colonoscopy) when looking for Crohns.

[ravenwoodglass]

Not much to add but a warning, MOST barium preparations are NOT gluten-free, make absolutely certain that his is before his exam. I just had a CT done which was supposed to include a barium prep. They ended up using a water based solution because none of the barium they had was safe.