Could My Vague Symptoms Be Celiac Disease?

[TexasLady]

I'm 32 and for about 6-7 years now, I have just felt that something is going on with my body and have had some vague symptoms including difficulty breathing for no reason and especially in the last 6-8 months, recurrent mouth ulcers, a very itchy skin rash, moody/irritable and thinning hair. I am also crazy thin and snack constantly but get hungry an hour later. I really don't have the GI symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, gas but have suffered from constipation regularly. Also, I started to have regular bone pain in my hip and knee. I want to ask my doctor to order the test for celiac disease, but I know she is going to look at me like I am looney and label me with the crazy stamp.

After the birth of my second child 8 months ago, I had this unexpected situation occur where my blood pressure sky rocketed for no reason and it was not due to any issues of being pregnant and still fluctuates greatly. All tests came back normal. Looking back now and knowing how this disease can disrupt endocrine function I'm thinking maybe I have this disease and this is what is causing all of these non-specific, drawn out over time symptoms.

I am seeing an alternative medicine doctor for the bp issue now since conventional medicine just wants to give me a pill and not figure out what is really going on. I just completed a GI panel where they test for gluten and other allergens so maybe this will finally be my answer.

Anybody have an opinion?

Has anyone else seen their symptoms appear after pregnancy?

[Gluten-Free Guy]

I'm 32 and for about 6-7 years now, I have just felt that something is going on with my body and have had some vague symptoms including difficulty breathing for no reason and especially in the last 6-8 months, recurrent mouth ulcers, a very itchy skin rash, moody/irritable and thinning hair. I am also crazy thin and snack constantly but get hungry an hour later. I really don't have the GI symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, gas but have suffered from constipation regularly. Also, I started to have regular bone pain in my hip and knee. I want to ask my doctor to order the test for celiac disease, but I know she is going to look at me like I am looney and label me with the crazy stamp.

After the birth of my second child 8 months ago, I had this unexpected situation occur where my blood pressure sky rocketed for no reason and it was not due to any issues of being pregnant and still fluctuates greatly. All tests came back normal. Looking back now and knowing how this disease can disrupt endocrine function I'm thinking maybe I have this disease and this is what is causing all of these non-specific, drawn out over time symptoms.

I am seeing an alternative medicine doctor for the bp issue now since conventional medicine just wants to give me a pill and not figure out what is really going on. I just completed a GI panel where they test for gluten and other allergens so maybe this will finally be my answer.

Anybody have an opinion?

Has anyone else seen their symptoms appear after pregnancy?

I'm not a doctor, but the symptoms you describe in your first paragraph are the same as those I had about a year or two before being diagnosed with celiac disease (7 years ago). In addition, I had pitting of the teeth and very brittle finger nails and toe nails. In my opinion, you sound like a good candidate for celiac disease. If you have it, ask for a bone density test--you may have developed osteoporosis because of malabsorption of calcium.

If you are celiac, it's not the end of the world. I tell people that, if they are going to have something go wrong with their bodies, choose celiac. It's a lot better that diabetes, cancer, heart trouble, etc. It will take a few months to get acquainted with which foods and medicines are gluten-free, but once you figure it out, it's not that bad. The good news is that the availability of gluten-free foods is growing by leaps and bounds. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration will publish a standard definition of the term "gluten-free" in August and, most likely, many of the major food manufacturers will start adding those words to package labels. Many already do. There are also many good gluten-free cookbooks. Attending a support group is the best way to get good information and assistance. Many doctors and dietitians are not as infomed as one would prefer, but the members of the support groups will be able to give you good, informed guidance.

[JNBunnie1]

I'm 32 and for about 6-7 years now, I have just felt that something is going on with my body and have had some vague symptoms including difficulty breathing for no reason and especially in the last 6-8 months, recurrent mouth ulcers, a very itchy skin rash, moody/irritable and thinning hair. I am also crazy thin and snack constantly but get hungry an hour later. I really don't have the GI symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, gas but have suffered from constipation regularly. Also, I started to have regular bone pain in my hip and knee. I want to ask my doctor to order the test for celiac disease, but I know she is going to look at me like I am looney and label me with the crazy stamp.

After the birth of my second child 8 months ago, I had this unexpected situation occur where my blood pressure sky rocketed for no reason and it was not due to any issues of being pregnant and still fluctuates greatly. All tests came back normal. Looking back now and knowing how this disease can disrupt endocrine function I'm thinking maybe I have this disease and this is what is causing all of these non-specific, drawn out over time symptoms.

I am seeing an alternative medicine doctor for the bp issue now since conventional medicine just wants to give me a pill and not figure out what is really going on. I just completed a GI panel where they test for gluten and other allergens so maybe this will finally be my answer.

Anybody have an opinion?

Has anyone else seen their symptoms appear after pregnancy?

Well, I'm not sure why noone's responded, because I've read a number of stories where people's symptoms either appeared or increased after or during pregnancy. And your symptoms sound MONSTROUSLY spot-on like Celiac. There's a website called celiacentral.org that has a questionnaire on the first page, print it out and check off the ones that apply and take it with you to the doctor.

[RiceGuy]

I agree that Celiac seems like a real possibility. But no matter how the tests turn out, try going gluten-free and see what happens. It sure cannot hurt, and it might just be the best thing you ever do for yourself.

[TexasLady]

I'm not a doctor, but the symptoms you describe in your first paragraph are the same as those I had about a year or two before being diagnosed with celiac disease (7 years ago). In addition, I had pitting of the teeth and very brittle finger nails and toe nails. In my opinion, you sound like a good candidate for celiac disease. If you have it, ask for a bone density test--you may have developed osteoporosis because of malabsorption of calcium.

If you are celiac, it's not the end of the world. I tell people that, if they are going to have something go wrong with their bodies, choose celiac. It's a lot better that diabetes, cancer, heart trouble, etc. It will take a few months to get acquainted with which foods and medicines are gluten-free, but once you figure it out, it's not that bad. The good news is that the availability of gluten-free foods is growing by leaps and bounds. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration will publish a standard definition of the term "gluten-free" in August and, most likely, many of the major food manufacturers will start adding those words to package labels. Many already do. There are also many good gluten-free cookbooks. Attending a support group is the best way to get good information and assistance. Many doctors and dietitians are not as infomed as one would prefer, but the members of the support groups will be able to give you good, informed guidance.

I have very brittle fingernails, toenails, even my hair seems to be more dry than usual.

And the struggles with my teeth my whole life despite the effort I have put in is unreal. If this is celiac, I will be more upset at the doctors for not paying attention to my symptoms over the last 10 years than anything else. It's their job to put the pieces together if a person continually comes to them with chronic symptoms.

[Jackyhy]

OMG yes!!! Pregnancy was THE trigger for me. I have always been a person who doesnt feel good often. I suffered from migraines horribly through my whole pregnancy. After delivery I felt better for about a month and they returned. I had been suffering from insomnia, fatigue and a multitude of other symptoms. I can't tell you how many doctors visits I went to how many different kind of drugs I've tried. I suffered for a year and a half, you eventually get depressed because you and everyone around you starts to think your crazy. My sister in laws sister was diagnosed celiac last year and after hearing her vague symptoms(and being sick in bed and missing christmas with my one year old) I went gluten free. I noticed a huge change immediately. The headaches returned but not as bad for about a month, I think while I healed. I tried to go back on wheat to be tested but could not tolerate more than a day. I am happy to say I am allergic to wheat with no testing.

I am a person who has never turned down a cookie donut or anything of the kind most my life, never stuck with a diet for more than a day! I have not had a desire for a single thing with wheat in it since I started because I know how bad it will make me feel and it is not worth it. See what your doctor says and I would be tested or just go gluten free and see how you feel!

Hope this helps a little

Jackie