Just A Question Or Two For Those Who Have More Knowledge Than I Do...

[themaggieblue]

This is kind of a long post, and if it's in the wrong spot on the forum, I will delete and/or move it...new to the boards, so just let me know...

I've been having problems with my stomache for almost as long as I can remember. I'm 24 now, and it's gotten to the point where it's been ruling my life. I've had problems at work, school, and in personal relationships because I always seem to be sick and tired.

About 2 years ago, I was at work one night (I'm a bartender), and I remember having really severe pains in my lower stomache, down towards my bladder. As the night went on, the pains got worse and worse, to the point where I wondered if I might have appendicitis, or something else. I was incredibly nauseous, too. After closing, I had to sit down to do the money, because I was feeling so bad. I finally had to run off to the bathroom because I was so sick, but I couldn't go to the bathroom OR throw up. This happened 3 times, and the 3rd time, as I was coming back down to my table, I passed out and fell flat on my face. I was out for about 30 seconds, and was so disoriented and sick when I came to that I had to call my then-boyfriend to come pick me up because I couldn't drive.

My aunt (who is a nurse) told me it might be IBS, so I looked it up online and tried to do an IBS-friendly diet. It worked...for awhile. (I should mention that I haven't had medical insurance in almost 6 years, and didn't want to go into heavy debt while trying to figure out what was wrong. I was waiting until I could afford insurance.)

After awhile, the IBS diet quit working, and I was sick all the time again. I found some foods that were definitely good and bad for me, and tried to stick to what I know.

I just got medical coverage recently, and have an appointment to see a doctor in August.

3 weeks ago, I was at my current bar job on a Monday night. It was busy, and I couldn't stop to go to the bathroom when I felt the need arise. 5 minutes later, I didn't have a choice, and I had to RUN to get there in time. I was incredibly sick, and after a few minutes, I tried to walk to the bar to tell my boss why I had run off, when I, again, passed out and fell flat on my face, this time bruising the entire left side of my body and ripping a gash in my side that was bleeding all night. I was incredibly disoriented and foggy afterwards, but somehow managed to get back up and behind the bar and finish my shift.

After this incident, I was thinking it might be Celiac's, because I had eaten some pitas that day, and a sandwich on wheat bread a few days before (after which I also got really sick, but didn't pass out).

I've been eating as gluten-free as possible for 3 weeks (I'm still new to the whole thing, so I may have slipped up a few times) and I feel like a new person. I decided to keep this up until I can see a doctor and find out if that's it for sure.

Then, Saturday night...I was at work, had not had any gluten (to my knowledge) all day. I was fine, and suddenly, I got really dizzy like I had 3 weeks ago...but this time, my stomache was only mildly upset. I went to sit down for a few minutes, and when my boss found me, she said I was as white as I had been the night I passed out, and she called my ex to come pick me up.

Now, I'm confused...because I don't think I had any gluten that day, and my stomache was never terribly upset, but I was in definite danger of passing out.

(I'm sorry this is so long, I'm just really scared right now.)

I guess my question is, do any of you ever actually pass out from being sick on gluten? I know there are some reactions to gluten that aren't necessarily related to the stomache and/or bowels, but those are the main problems I've always had, and the lack of a serious issue with those on Saturday night freaked me out. Do any of you have symptoms like this? Should I try to find a doctor that will take me sooner than August?

Any help you guys can give me would be much appreciated. I don't know how to handle this right now. I'm really scared...

[little d]

Hi and welcome to the board

I have never passed out, but I have had times where I feel like my head is buzzing with a loud type sound and I feel very dizzy for a few seconds and it passes and I go on with my business. You also have to look at your shampoos, makeup, toothpaste, everything. As far as finding a doctor sooner it really depends on when in August your appt is and if it is severe enough I would go to your general practice doctor to get the referal that you will need to the doctor that you need to see. Im sure there are others here that can give you better advice, and here there stories and experiance.

donna

[Karen B.]

I'd definitely get to a primary care doc ASAP. When you start passing out, you are in danger of other injuries as you've found out. My hubby (a non-Celiac) started experiencing dizzy spells and passing out and, for him, the answer was as simple as eating more salt (low blood pressure). But until we found that answer, he had fallen in the street and sustained a head injury that required stiches.

It may be related to gluten but it may not. The one problem we Celiacs have is we tend to think of a gluten reaction first but we still may experience all of the other health problems others do, in addition to the Celiac,

If you've been on a gluten-free diet already, make sure your doc knows that when you see them and make sure they know that can affect the outcome of any test they run for Celiac. You have to be eating a lot of gluten for them to test your reaction to gluten.

[cruelshoes]

Before I was diagnosed, I had problems with passing out. It was due to the imbalance in electrolytes and malnutrition that I was experiencing. Please go see your doctor right away. The last thing you want is to have a fainting spell behind the wheel of a car or something.

[jerseyangel]

Hi and welcome

Before I was diagnosed, I was anemic. Anemia is pretty common with Celiac because if your intestine is damaged, it dosen't absorb nutrients properly. This would include iron.

I did faint a few times, and was also described as being "white as a sheet".

You do need to have some bloodwork done to see if you might be anemic. You should also have your thyroid checked. A GP or clinic would be able to run these blood tests for you.

The Celiac bloodwork is different, and will not show up on standard blood panels. In your case, since you don't have insurance, I would try and have the regular bloodwork done so that if you need suplimental iron, you can begin it.

In the absence of blood testing/biopsy for Celiac, the positive response to the gluten-free diet is a valid diagnostic tool. If you feel better off gluten, which it sounds like you do, you should just stay off of it.

Do try to be as close to 100% gluten-free as possible. Watch cross contamination at work. If you have any questions on how to de-gluten your kitchen or anything else, don't hesitate to ask and also read through the archives here on the board--there's a lot of great info to be found here.

Good luck, and I hope you keep in touch.

[themaggieblue]

I appreciate everyone's replies. Thank you so much.

I got sick at work again last night, and called the doctor (whom I have an appointment with in August), and was able to move my appointment to a different doc, and sooner...this coming Thursday. I'm finally going to know what really is wrong, if all goes well.

If I do find out it's Celiac's, I will definitely be back to this board to get support and ideas. I love this place.

[jerseyangel]

Best of luck on Thursday

[tiffjake]

Best of luck on Thursday

Agreed! Sorry I am late to post, but I have passed out from gluten. About a month after going gluten-free I said "forget it!" and ate a bowl of pasta at olive garden and passed out at the mall about 30 minutes later. My intestines had shut down. Doc said I was not used to the gluten and my body just freaked out. I hope they are able to give you some answers, Celiac or not.

Take care!

[Cynbd]

Hi there,

I have passed out several times too. One night my husband found me on the bathroom floor (I passed out while on the pot...nice) and he called 911, I ended up in ER. When all was said and done, I think when I used to get really sick the pain was so severe that my body would just pass out.

Also, don't forget you may be Lactose intolerant too. Diary can cause a lot of distress too and Celiac disease plays havoc with your ability to process dairy.

Good luck!