This Is Frustrating

[PixieChinchilla]

I've been gluten free since October, when my blood test came back positive. [i believe my doctor said that of the four tests they run in the panel, one came back "slightly elevated" but I dont have the exact numbers in front of me right now]. Well, I couldn't get an appointment for a biopsy for a good two months, so I figured instead of the biopsy I would just go gluten free, and it would get better. Now, while I admit that my sickness has changed, it hasn't gotten any better at all. I'm still sick every, every day. I always feel like I'm about to throw up, but I never actually do, and no matter what I eat, it makes me feel sicker. BUT if I go more than three hours without eating something my stomach starts aching because it's empty. Also, I sometimes get stomach aches/cramps that spread across my stomach where my lowest ribs are, all the way around like a band. Usually when I get that ache, it's later in the evening.

I've been struggling with this since September 2002. Being this sick for so long and having every test [minus celiac panel] come back negative has been ridiculously frustrating. None of the doctors can seem to come up with anything new to test me for, and I feel stuck in my sickness. I miss food. I want to be able to eat without worrying about how sick it's going to make me. I cant even keep a full time job because I'm too sick too much of the time. Does anyone have any insights as to what might be wrong, or what I'm doing wrong, or what I could do next, or if there's any hope for me at all?

[RiceGuy]

Have you eliminated other possible allergens, such as dairy, soy, corn, etc? I've also read that meat is a common allergen.

Other than that, what about supplements? Even after gluten-free, I was only getting worse until I started some supplements.

I'm sure others will chime in with some good suggestions.

HTH

[Yenni]

It took me a looong time to stop feeling sick too. So hang in there. You might have other intolerances too, that keep on preventing you to get well. I had others that took me a while to figure out.

I was tested through Enterolab and they have tests for other stuff than gluten, maybe you could get one of them testes done or just cut out the most common ones for a while to see if you get better.

I think that if your body has been sick and dealing with this for a long time (which I am sure my body had) it takes a longer while to feel better. So don't give up.

Supplements is a good idea. Make sure they are safe.

Also make sure you do not unknowingly cross-contaminate yourself some how. Toothpaste, lotions, using same kitchen stuff as is used with gluten. Stuff like that.

Like you it took me years to get my diagnosis and many doctors.

Do not give up. It took me a looong time too. I felt the same frustrations. I recognize it so well.