Do I Belong Here? How Do I Cope?

[uwponine]

Hey all,

I 've been lurking in the shadows here for a while and am now desparate enough to post.

I've been thru the blood tests and they are negative. Awaiting biopsy results from the small bowel biopsy test. But my GI doesn't think I have it. But I have all the symptoms--can't eat large portions (no more than a cup of anything at a time), constipation, lactose intolerant (my whole life), I know I am wheat intolerant, gut cramps, intenstine cramps, the WORST bloating I have ever had that refuses to go away and now I'm starting with nausea. I've been trying to follow the gluten-free diet and haven't gotten any relief. My GI said I "probably" have IBS but didn't see anything concrete. I have cut out all the junk and work out 3x/week. I don't drink, smoke or do drugs. I am a vegetarian. It's to the point of I think I've gone crazy b/c there's techically "nothing wrong."

So, what have you tried? Any food plans you'd recommend? Tips on IBS?

Thanks for your help. It's great to know I'm no longer alone.

[Guest jhmom]

Hi and welcome to the boards!

First of all you are not crazy and apparently something is wrong as you should not feel that kind of abdominal pain.

Do not get discouraged if your biopsy / blood test come back negative. Sometimes it takes time for a disease to show up in the blood or damage your villi. It also depends on how many biposies the doctor takes and if gets the area that is damaged.

How long have you been gluten-free? Are you sure you are 100% gluten-free? Sometimes it takes a few weeks/months to see a huge improvement (in some people). Also there is a chance you could have other intolerences in addition to gluten.

Here is a link that may help you become 100% gluten-free, I would also stick to the basics, nothing fancy.

Safe and Forbidden Food and Ingredients ** this list has all the things you may not think about looking for on labels**

Open Original Shared Link ** must have adobe to view this link **

I hope you feel better soon. Feel free to ask any other questions you may have. Take care

[jknnej]

i'm sure you're doc is trying to rule out other things as well, right? Maybe you have another kind of intestinal disorder.

Hopefully they will find out what is wrong and help you!

We all know how you feel. And, it takes awhile for your symptoms to go away. Don't get disheartened if you don't feel better right away. I read that for some people it can be like, a year or two (let's hope that's not us!).

But be vigilant about it and hopefully you will feel better.