Chronic Diarrhoea!

[OHDEAR]

Hi all,

Just joined. haven't had formal diagnosis yet, but spent the day in hospital yesterday ruling just about everything else out.Hoping to get an appointment to the gastro specialist today

I have diarrhoea so bad, even water and walking around gives me diarrhoea - sure I can be gluten-free now, but how do I stop the diarrhoea???

Please can somebody help...I'm desperate had it constantly for 3 days now.

[Lisa]

Hi all,

Just joined. haven't had formal diagnosis yet, but spent the day in hospital yesterday ruling just about everything else out.Hoping to get an appointment to the gastro specialist today

I have diarrhoea so bad, even water and walking around gives me diarrhoea - sure I can be gluten-free now, but how do I stop the diarrhoea???

Please can somebody help...I'm desperate had it constantly for 3 days now.

Welcome to the Forum!

If you would like to pursue testing for Celiac Disease, you must not begin a gluten free diet.

What were the results of your hospital testing? Do you have other symptoms other than diarrhea? What is pointing you in this direction?

Please excuse the questions, but it is difficult to offer assistance without a little background information.

[~alex~]

Imodium can help and I think it would be called for if you're losing lots of fluids. If you have celiac disease you will likely still have diarrhea for awhile even after cutting out gluten because your villi need time to grow back and be able to absorb what you are eating.

Definitely look into things and see that gastro doc. It could be celiac but many other things can cause diarrhea so it could be celiac or something else or celiac + something else.

I hope you can get things figured out. In the mean time do your best to stay hydrated. Being chronically dehydrated is bad for your body and will certainly make you feel worse. Pedialyte does a great job at keeping my fluids and electrolytes up when I'm sick.

[OHDEAR]

Welcome to the Forum!

If you would like to pursue testing for Celiac Disease, you must not begin a gluten free diet.

What were the results of your hospital testing? Do you have other symptoms other than diarrhea? What is pointing you in this direction?

Please excuse the questions, but it is difficult to offer assistance without a little background information.

Thanks,

Wee I guess it has been in the back of my mind for a while and I did reduce my gluten intake just to have a more balanced diet.

A couple of years ago I became cow's milk intolerant - cramps, bloating, gas

Just last weekend at a birthday you could say I had a bit of a gluten binge - white bread rolls, lots of sponge cake and had been eating licorice for a few days (I don't normally have this - again it was a special occ)

Monday night after gym - had wheat burritos, again I would normally have corn tortillas...

Tuesday - no appetite at all - just had vitamens in the morning, so lunch thought I better eat something, so had a rye & spelt sandwich - Ithink is also 50% Wheat. After that, headaches and strong gripping stomach cramps for the rest of the day and all night.

Wed - Had vitamens - within 10 mins diarrhoea. water - more diarrhoea Visited Gp - sent stool sample off. Told me not to stop eating and not to stop eating gluten. Since I got home I have had cramps and diarrhoea constantly. I heeded her advice but it only made it worse - more insistent diarrhoea and cramping.

Thursday - after being woken for another night this time with diarrhoea as well - I trotted off to the local hospital. They did blood, urine, xrays - all was clear (so very grateful I didn't have something nasty like cancer). Told me that it was possibly I have gluten intolerance and said I need to see a specialist gastroenterologist. Sent me home after establishing that intravenous buscopan, oral somac and panadol reduced the severity of the cramping. Told me to manage the diarrhoea with plenty of fluids.

Friday - cramps were less, but had diarrhoea again during the night. Cramps are still improved but diarrhoea is every 15- 30mins even when I have nothing. So now I'm taking gastrolyte, and seeing GP in the next couple of hours to get referral.

Historically I've had these gripping cramps - but I'd go to bed praying they would go away and usually a couple of hours later or the next morning they would be gone. This has happened about 5 times in the last 3-4 months.

Also noticed that over the last few years if I have too much animal fat - say chicken or lamb in particular that I get wind, bloating and slight cramping.

Does that help?

[Lisa]

Alex gave some wonderful advise to make sure that you keep drinking fluids and some ant-diarrhea medicine might help.

Should you decide to be tested for Celiac, here are the tests to request from your doctors:

Anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA) both IgA and IgG

Anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA) - IgA

Anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTG) - IgA

Total IgA level.

If the diarrhea continues for several more days, please seek medical help.

You certainly could try the gluten diet to see if you feel better, should you not choose further testing.

If you suspect Celiac, this is a great site.

[OHDEAR]

Have appt today with Gatroenterologist -

Will have all the tests and will let you know.

Thank you Alex & Momma Goose.

[sickchick]

I am unable to take any over the counter meds... I eat psyllium every day and it's the only thing that has helped me.

Be Well!

sickshick

[RiceGuy]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't the gluten antibodies still be in the bloodstream for at least a week or two after starting the gluten-free diet? If so, then the diet could be started immediately, as long as the tests are done with a short period of time.

Anyway, sure sounds like Celiac to me, or at least Gluten Intolerance. Personally, I think you're on the right track, and if it where me I'd be gluten-free if it helps, regardless of tests. Of course, my prospective is bound to be biased by my experiences.

So glad you found this board!

[JNBunnie1]

Hope things turn out well. Even if you get tested right away and come up with a bunch of negatives, I would try the Gluten free diet anyway. It can't hurt!