Unsure Its Cd

[dbuhl79]

Here's my story, and it may be long, but looking for some confirmations, comparisons to my symptoms and anyone that can offer support!! I am waivering between being convinced (yet to see my GI doc) its Celiac Disease, lactose intolerance or just plain IBS, so here we go..

My troubles started approximately four months ago, after eating breakfast (sausage and an eggwhite omelet) with horrible abdominal cramping. Since then I've suffered from additional abomdinal pains, "gnawing" symptoms similar to hunger pains, etc. Intially my doctors suggested an ulcer. However, w/o heartburn and Nexium of no help, I have gone off taking it and do not accept that as a answer.

Since the abdominal pain, I have progressed to having chronic diarrhea (every bowel movement was like this.) but more recently have had days of consistent regular bowel movements. I've taken dairy away, and decided to try eliminating gluten for a week. After 3 days I felt like a normal person. Only when I realized I had been eating new generic rice cakes with gluten in them, that I had minor abdominal pains.

I reintroduced gluten with idea that they may do a blood test (but was referred to a GI specialist instead). The gluten did seem to cause a bout of diarrhea, but not a horrific upheavel. Is this normal that symptoms waiver at times like this? My PCP mentioned that the GI would want to do a sigmoidoscopy, will I need to be eating gluten at this time? Secondly, why not a colonoscopy?

Are there any connections between stomach ulcers and celiac disease?

So to sum up my symptoms I have the following, that waiver, can be severe or mild.

Abdominal cramping

Localized abdominal pain on left side frequently

Diarrhea

"urgent" BMs (where I literally shake out of panic at the thought of not finding a bathroom fast enough!)

Fatigue

Anemia symptoms (cold, pale skin, easily bruised etc.)

Shakes (when having an 'attack')

Lack of appetite

Weightloss

Naseua (particularly right before an 'attack')

Stomach discomfort (as though the muscles are tense even when they're not)

Thanks to anyone who took the time to read this entire post, and answer! I truly appreciate any thought or comments on any of it. I am so tired, confused, and frustrated. All I do know is that going gluten-free I felt human again for a few days. But then again sometimes I think its all in my head.. So thanks again to anyone willing to give their opinion.

Note: I have an ultrasound to rule out gallbladder etc. No parasites, blood or fat found in a stool sample.

[lovegrov]

Certainly many of those are celiac disease symptoms but they are also symptoms of other things. As for the sig, if your doctor's looking for celiac disease he's exploring the wrong end.

richard

[dbuhl79]

Thanks for the input. Perhaps my physician mispoke that they would do a sigmoid? I quote her "They'll do a sigmoidoscopy where they go in from the bottom and on up" I just thought the Sigmoid was half of a colonoscopy. I understood an endoscopy was a flexible scope down the throat.

Oh well, I have yet to see the GI doc, and they'll the ones who will do a consult and ultimately decide whats what. Luckily they're a celiac disease specialist.