New Member With Questions

[Minihorselover]

Hello,

Long story but I won't go into all the details now Just a couple of questions.

3 weeks ago, I had a "attack" after eating pizza. (I've had it a bazillion times with out any problems, or at least I thought so) I thought I had a bug or something. Really gasey, slight nausea, then the next day water D. The okay for a day and then gallbladder, stomach pain and more gas. Pains all throughout my GI tract, upper mostly. Had an US of the GB. Normal. HIDA scan. Normal (75% ejection). All blood tests are normal. I have had gas, pain for almost 3 weeks now. Then I had myself convinced I had Spchinter (sp) Oddi Dysfunction. But now, I'm wondering if I have Celiac. I had IBS in my 20's (I'm now 47). I have Mitral Valve Prolapse, bad anxiety, hysterectomy 8 years ago due to endometrial cancer. I haven't had a lot of GI distress, though, when I'm really anxious I can. But I do have stuffiness, headaches, hormonal imbalances, TSH is creeping up there. Post nasal drip. Feeling full alot when I eat. Appetite has never been good. I'm tall and thin. I just ordered the test from Enterolabs.

I had a bout of this upper right sided pain about 3 years ago and then anxiety hit bad and I ended up on a benzo. Then really not a lot of problems until now. I'm currently weaning and am very close to being off.

Any thoughts or suggestions? I've read not to go on a gluten free diet until after testing. Can I just do the stool test and blood tests or do I need the biopsy?

Thanks!

Liz

[mftnchn]

Celiac could have a sudden onset of symptoms, I think you are wise to check. Yes, do the testing first. Enterolab takes three weeks to get the results, and does not diagnosis celiac. It is useful information.

If I were you I would get the blood tests and biopsy, then go gluten-free. Be sure you get all 5 tests (see the Columbia University site or other posts on this forum). You can have negative blood tests and still have a positive biopsy, so I'd go for it all.

Hope you feel better very soon.

[ravenwoodglass]

You can also have negative bloodwork and biopsy and still have a problem with gluten. As mentioned you will want to stay on gluten until all your testing is done if you choose to do biopsy and have your blood tested. After all testing is done that you want to have done regardless of the results I would suggest trying the diet strictly for a couple of months and then doing a dietary challenge. When you add gluten back in you should see your symptoms return within 3 to 5 days. Of course if you feel great and see all symptoms resolve gluten free you don't need a doctors permission to eat that way.