Living Nightmare!

[Lesley-x]

Hi there!

For the past ten years (I'm 21) I've been suffering with extreme stomach pain, nausea, swelling, and abdominal cramping. I've also been very lethargic and eventually suffered secondary depression. I think it's a miracle I manage to get to university!

Doctors haven't taken me seriously at all, it's the usual story - IBS, IBS, IBS!

Recently I attended a gastroenterologist who did some tests with the following results...

Blood rests - raised ESR, antibodies, (inflammation) eosinophil (associated with allergies)

Faecal test - raised inflammation

Both of these tests could have been a lot higher but were still outside normal range.

Ultrasound was normal. I'm due to attend for an endoscopy and a colonoscopy next week (scared!!) and my aunt also has Celiacs disease.

I am going for testing so I will be getting a professional opinion, however, I'm pretty convinced I have Celiac and just wondered what you guys thought and if it was worth reducing gluten as my diet is pretty high in it at the moment. Some of your experiences would be awesome too!

Thankyou for listening to this ramble!

Lesley x

[ShayFL]

Welcome Lesley!

If you are having an Endoscopy....DO NOT LOWER YOUR GLUTEN amount. Keep eating it. Try to get the scope ASAP!! And then eliminate gluten as soon as it is done.

Hope you feel better soon.

[MySuicidalTurtle]

I suffered for 17 years with undiagnosed Celiacs and like you was told IBS growing up until my doctor told me in High School that it was all in my head. It's not fun being sick when no one can help. If you aren't satisfied with what your tests say, try the diet. If you feel better then you have an answer. However, to have the tests you must be eating gluten. Good luck!

[Lesley-x]

Thanks guys! Could just have made a really big mistake by reducing gluten