Is This A Good Plan?

[Joni63]

Hi,

I had positive blood test results and am getting the other tests Wednesday. I thought it would be a good idea to start gluten free as soon as the endo/colonoscopy tests are through.

Is there any reason not to?

[jerseyangel]

Is there any reason not to?

Nope, none at all!

Best of luck on Wednesday--let us know how you do!

[darkangel]

Yep, the sooner, the better, once your scopes are done.

[Joni63]

Thank you jerseyangel and darkangel, I will let you know.

I know I'm nervous now and wish it was done!

I had a call from the hospital and they asked all kinds of medical questions so I'm glad that part is all done. She told me the whole procedure should only take about 15 minutes and I will get the results when they are done. I didn't realize I'd get the results the same day. I'm scheduled for 8:30am so that's one good thing.

I've got a few more things to pick up from the grocery store today so I'm ready for the prep tomorrow. Mostly baby wipes, lol. My kids are too old for them now.

I've been reading all kinds of threads and have more questions.

I should be taking a calcium/magnesium supplement now? What ratio and brands are good? And what about vitamin D? or other vitamins?

I run about 3 miles a day and used to lift weights twice a week until several months ago when I would get too fatigued from lifting. Is that also a celiac symptom?

I get swollen eyelids when I wear mascara, I bought some Physicians Formula yesterday. Does anyone know if all their makeup is gluten free, or just the Mineral Wear?

Sorry for all the questions, but the more I read the more I need to know

[darkangel]

I run about 3 miles a day and used to lift weights twice a week until several months ago when I would get too fatigued from lifting. Is that also a celiac symptom?

Yes, fatigue is common. If weight loss is an issue for you, I'd drop the running and add the weight training back into your routine. Even if weight loss isn't an issue, perhaps you could strike a happy medium by cutting back on the running and adding the weight training back... it's so important to maintain healthy muscle mass as we get older and it's good for bone density, too.

[jerseyangel]

Thank you jerseyangel and darkangel, I will let you know.

I know I'm nervous now and wish it was done!

I had a call from the hospital and they asked all kinds of medical questions so I'm glad that part is all done. She told me the whole procedure should only take about 15 minutes and I will get the results when they are done. I didn't realize I'd get the results the same day. I'm scheduled for 8:30am so that's one good thing.

I've got a few more things to pick up from the grocery store today so I'm ready for the prep tomorrow. Mostly baby wipes, lol. My kids are too old for them now.

I've been reading all kinds of threads and have more questions.

I should be taking a calcium/magnesium supplement now? What ratio and brands are good? And what about vitamin D? or other vitamins?

I run about 3 miles a day and used to lift weights twice a week until several months ago when I would get too fatigued from lifting. Is that also a celiac symptom?

I get swollen eyelids when I wear mascara, I bought some Physicians Formula yesterday. Does anyone know if all their makeup is gluten free, or just the Mineral Wear?

Sorry for all the questions, but the more I read the more I need to know

I think calcium is a good idea. I use Citrical--the Petites are very easy to swallow, and they're certified gluten-free. They have vitamin D in them. They also have a formula that includes both vitamin D and magnesium also. I believe the ratio is 5:1--calcium/magnesium.

I called Physicians Formula last week because I read here that a member was told that their mascaras were gluten-free. The person I spoke to said that they will not say any of their products are gluten-free because they could have gluten-derived ingredients. Just FYi

I also spoke to a rep from Almay--she told me that their One Coat mascaras were all gluten-free. I also have a problem with sensitive eyes, so I bought the Almay--haven't tried it yet, though.

Yes, the fatigue is definately a symptom, and it can take a while to get better. It will, though, just be patient

It sounds like you're all ready for your tests. I'm sure everything is going to go fine

[Joni63]

Citrical sounds good. Do you find that at a grocery/drugstore?

I'm bummed about the Physicians Formula makeup. I know it's talc free and I was hoping gluten free too. Guess I'll have to return it for something else.

I've used Almay mascaras before and they still bothered my eyes. Can't remember if it was the One Coat or not.

It will be nice to lose the fatigue. I need to lose about 10 lbs and have no incentive to push myself hard enough right now. A few years ago I could have lost that weight quickly. This past year I've struggled with it terribly hard. No matter how well I eat, and believe my I was obsessive about logging food and it's nutritional content for a while, I haven't been able to lose those last 10. I think it's mostly in my stomach though, because that has grown in the past several months.

Prepping for the test hasn't been too bad so far, except for living in the bathroom for an hour. I had my first two doses of the Phosphate Soda with Gatorade at 3:00 pm and am due for my last two at 7:00pm. My worst fear is going hypoglyceimic, I really hope that doesn't happen.

[jerseyangel]

Citrical sounds good. Do you find that at a grocery/drugstore?

I'm bummed about the Physicians Formula makeup. I know it's talc free and I was hoping gluten free too. Guess I'll have to return it for something else.

I've used Almay mascaras before and they still bothered my eyes. Can't remember if it was the One Coat or not.

It will be nice to lose the fatigue. I need to lose about 10 lbs and have no incentive to push myself hard enough right now. A few years ago I could have lost that weight quickly. This past year I've struggled with it terribly hard. No matter how well I eat, and believe my I was obsessive about logging food and it's nutritional content for a while, I haven't been able to lose those last 10. I think it's mostly in my stomach though, because that has grown in the past several months.

Prepping for the test hasn't been too bad so far, except for living in the bathroom for an hour. I had my first two doses of the Phosphate Soda with Gatorade at 3:00 pm and am due for my last two at 7:00pm. My worst fear is going hypoglyceimic, I really hope that doesn't happen.

I get the Citrical at CVS. I haven't used the Almay yet--hope it dosen't irritate my eyes, too. I was thinking it might be more gentle--I guess I'll see

I lost weight right before I was diagnosed--I was pretty sick. Now, I gain very easily, and could stand to lose about 20 pounds.

Glad your prep hasn't been too bad. My husband used the Phospho-soda and he had a much easier time than I did. My doctor made me drink the gallon jug of laxative--followed by a double dose of Dulcolax

Best of luck tomorrow--let me know how you do

[Guest j_mommy]

Fatigue was a huge symptom for me too!!!

glad to hear your prep is going well.

Also, some people when they go gluten-free, really need to watch what they eat b/c now your body is able to absorb nutients correctly and some gain weight.

With my endoscopy they told me it looked good afterward....but the biopsies need to be sent to the lab to be examened and it took mine a week to get the results!!!But you can definetly go gluten-free right away!!!

[happygirl]

I had a call from the hospital and they asked all kinds of medical questions so I'm glad that part is all done. She told me the whole procedure should only take about 15 minutes and I will get the results when they are done. I didn't realize I'd get the results the same day. I'm scheduled for 8:30am so that's one good thing.

They will be able to give you their impressions of what they saw, and can diagnose some things based on looking at it. However, if they are taking biopsies of your small intestine during the endoscopy, the slides will be sent out to the pathology department, and you'll have to wait for the results. Some patients are told it didn't "look" like Celiac, but the biopsies proved otherwise, or some doctors can spot the hallmark features (if present) and tell the patient that they expect the biopsy will coincide with their impressions.

Best of luck!

[Joni63]

Yay, I'm back!

All in all it wasn't too bad. This morning was the worst because I was nervous and hungry, but once they put me out it was all over. I'm soooooooo glad to be home and eating and drinking my morining coffee!

Looks like I belong here. My results showed scalloping of the duodenal folds, consistent with Celiac Sprue and I was told to go on the Gluten Free diet. I'm both sad and relieved. The only other problems were a few small internal hemorrhoids and a small hiatal hernia. Not too bad considering it's normal to fear the worst when it comes to any type of testing.

The Doctor saw me right after I woke up from the anesthesia and I was still quite groggy. He said he wants to see me in 2 to 3 weeks and I said "Oh no, do I have to do these tests again so soon?" He got a chuckle out of that.

The next thing I have to get squared away is my kidney. I have a checkup for that tomorrow to probably get bloodwork and ultrasound to see if the swelling went down.

Oh, I can't imagine having to drink a gallon jug of laxative and then taking Dulcolox too. That must have been nasty jerseyangel. I did have the option of taking 32 pills, but they told me they were huge and I'm not good with big pills so I took the Phos-Soda instead.

So, I guess I need an avatar and a little blurb at the bottom with my name because I'll be hanging around a lot.

Next on my list is to get my children tested.

That's a subject I can't quite deal with yet.

[jerseyangel]

I'm glad it wasn't too bad this morning--welcome to the family

I understand your feelings about having the kids tested. But, you're right--one thing at a time. Let this all sink in, get comfortable with the diet, and feel better.

Get some rest today--and take care