Questions...

[mariaboek]

OK...My mom's sister (from Italy) was sick sick sick about 10-15 yrs ago, we thought she was going to die. Finally, she was confirmed having celiac disease in her late 50's. Her son has it too. I was reading the symptoms, I am pretty sure my mom has it too. After the death of my dad, my mom had a lot of stomach issues. In her 40's she was "diagnosed" with irritable bowel, colitis, lactose intolerant, nervous stomach....etc. Lots of gas, bloating, belching. Menopause. Occasionally she has some odd symptoms. She was in the hospital twice for electrolyte depletion, unexplained. Now for me, as a child, I was super skinny, smallest in my class, couldn't gain weight...but always had a tummy. Hated eating breakfast in the morning because it would make me nauseous. Occasional constipation. I can't really say I had any other problems--I don't really remember. I started to gain weight in my 30's, had 3 kids...etc. About a year ago, at almost 40, I was really stressed out. I had 3 kids in 3 yrs. Just moved, house being worked on. The holidays. Husband working a lot, I had a meltdown. I was deperessed. My hair was falling out. I was nauseous for 2 wks, wretching, couldn't eat, eating made things worse, lost weight. Doctor told me I had a "situational" acid reflux episode. She put me on something, it went away. I didn't eat for most of that time, and when I did, it was bland. At a follow up, I asked her about celiac disease, she didn't think it was necessary to test me...if I had more episodes, she would. I heard the blood tests are unreliable anyhow. I can't really say I am constantly having problems. But every few months, I do have bouts with constipation, diarrhea, acid reflux. Sometimes I think it is "related to my cycle", hormonal, and wondering if I am going thru peri-menopause. My question is--is it possible for someone to have celiac and have no or mild symptoms?

[Gemini]

OK...My mom's sister (from Italy) was sick sick sick about 10-15 yrs ago, we thought she was going to die. Finally, she was confirmed having celiac disease in her late 50's. Her son has it too. I was reading the symptoms, I am pretty sure my mom has it too. After the death of my dad, my mom had a lot of stomach issues. In her 40's she was "diagnosed" with irritable bowel, colitis, lactose intolerant, nervous stomach....etc. Lots of gas, bloating, belching. Menopause. Occasionally she has some odd symptoms. She was in the hospital twice for electrolyte depletion, unexplained. Now for me, as a child, I was super skinny, smallest in my class, couldn't gain weight...but always had a tummy. Hated eating breakfast in the morning because it would make me nauseous. Occasional constipation. I can't really say I had any other problems--I don't really remember. I started to gain weight in my 30's, had 3 kids...etc. About a year ago, at almost 40, I was really stressed out. I had 3 kids in 3 yrs. Just moved, house being worked on. The holidays. Husband working a lot, I had a meltdown. I was deperessed. My hair was falling out. I was nauseous for 2 wks, wretching, couldn't eat, eating made things worse, lost weight. Doctor told me I had a "situational" acid reflux episode. She put me on something, it went away. I didn't eat for most of that time, and when I did, it was bland. At a follow up, I asked her about celiac disease, she didn't think it was necessary to test me...if I had more episodes, she would. I heard the blood tests are unreliable anyhow. I can't really say I am constantly having problems. But every few months, I do have bouts with constipation, diarrhea, acid reflux. Sometimes I think it is "related to my cycle", hormonal, and wondering if I am going thru peri-menopause. My question is--is it possible for someone to have celiac and have no or mild symptoms?

Absolutely! In fact, you do have symptoms....the ones you have listed above are all associated with and/or are caused by celiac disease. When a person presents with these symptoms, and you have a family member with it, it's almost guaranteed that you have it also. My whole family are all symptomatic but refuse to face reality, even though I am a diagnosed Celiac. What disturbs me is your doctor blew you off on it after you informed her your aunt has it......very stupid. I guess they would rather diagnose you with some made up thing like "situational acid reflux" and give you a medication than find out the root cause of your problem. American medicine at it's finest!

The blood work may or may not pick up any damage as you have to be in a very active phase of the disease for it to trip the test PLUS it tends to pick up on end stage damage better than when you first trigger. If I were in your situation, I would go gluten-free and I can bet you that you will start to feel better. If you stick to the diet as you should, all those symptoms will eventually disappear for good....mine did! Remember, it's genetic, very common and with a diagnosed, close relative, almost guaranteed this is your problem. Good luck!

[mariaboek]

Absolutely! In fact, you do have symptoms....the ones you have listed above are all associated with and/or are caused by celiac disease. When a person presents with these symptoms, and you have a family member with it, it's almost guaranteed that you have it also. My whole family are all symptomatic but refuse to face reality, even though I am a diagnosed Celiac. What disturbs me is your doctor blew you off on it after you informed her your aunt has it......very stupid. I guess they would rather diagnose you with some made up thing like "situational acid reflux" and give you a medication than find out the root cause of your problem. American medicine at it's finest!

The blood work may or may not pick up any damage as you have to be in a very active phase of the disease for it to trip the test PLUS it tends to pick up on end stage damage better than when you first trigger. If I were in your situation, I would go gluten-free and I can bet you that you will start to feel better. If you stick to the diet as you should, all those symptoms will eventually disappear for good....mine did! Remember, it's genetic, very common and with a diagnosed, close relative, almost guaranteed this is your problem. Good luck!

Thanks! I was also quite shocked my DR didn't test me--especially since I informed her of my relatives--and the fact that my mom's had all these stomach issues. Also, I was having routine blood work anyhow. But my mom had a test awhile ago that came up negative. If she wasn't in an active phase, then that makes sense. I have a routine appt with the gastro DR, I am going to pursue it. Thanks again....

[mommyagain]

My symptoms are TOTALLY related to my hormones. In fact, I posted not too long ago about only being symptomatic while pregnant. Now that I'm gluten-free, I've noticed other "symptoms" that have disappeared that I never associated with gluten.

I have never been tested or scoped. I am entirely self-diagnosed based on dietary response. My husband does not believe that I am "really" celiac because I only have the obvious symptoms (mostly "the big d") when I'm pregnant and at "that time of the month". He insists that after I deliver, I will go back to eating "normal" food. My response is that I have NEVER in my life felt this healthy, and I will never go back to normal food.

So, my advice is to trust yourself (and your gut!). Treat gluten like the poison it is, and you will not believe how much better you will feel. You do not need a doctor to tell you what you can and can't eat. Other than my husband, no one has ever doubted me when I say that I'm allergic to gluten. Side note: I know it's not an "allergy", but to me, "intolerance" does not sound as serious, and "disease" makes me sound sick, which I'm not!

[mommida]

If you are going for a medical diagnoses, you MUST eat gluten. You must continue to cause enough damage to be detected for the tests.

Work with a specialist. Remember there are a lot of false negative tests.

Some people have said they are having to pay a higher life insurance premium, and having a harder time getting medical insurance after diagnoses.

You don't need a medical diagnoses to go on a gluten free diet. If all testing is completed and you have no concrete answers, try the diet. Your body's reaction to the gluten free diet is the best diagnostic tool.

Laura