Is This Celiac Or Food Intolerance

[boobybabs]

For the last 6 months, have had health issues.....stomach ache or stomach gnawing for couple of months...at the most, went about 8 days without some stomach issue....started to feel like I was going crazy. a few times had cramping and diarrhea (explosive) once had really severe painful cramping before diarrhea...went to doctor...had blood work for thyroid, heart, liver, diabetes, cholesterol and h. polyeria...all came back fine..had an upper GI done and they diagnosed acid reflux....put on Zantac 150 - two pills a day for eight weeks....at the same time, did some internet research on food allergy\intolerances....noted that gluten and dairy are most common...so when started the pills, drastically altered my diet...mainly eating...rice, potatoes, fruit, veg and chicken - occasional steak or centre pork////began to feel like my self again...but still had the occasional stomach issue.....went away for weekend recently had banana for breakfast....stopped at macdonalds...was starving, so had half of a plain hamburger and apple wedges.....about 7:30 that night.....feeling weak, lightheaded very weird......off for the rest of night....next day my face was hot for the whole afternoon,,,,not red, just felt very warm.....rest of weekend just ate plain chicken, veg. potato....stomach gnawing on Sunday - last weekend had a cheese and herb bagel toasted and later had a pudding cup.....couple of hours later had cramp and diarrhea.....now not sure if the diarrhea is caused by the food ingredients or the fact that my diet has been so bland that any new food would have that reaction....have been cheating a little on diet....have had red licorice and ju jubes.....some nights after dinner, I am tired and chilled...need to sit on couch with blanket (also feel bloated after not eating much, but this is probably acid reflux) - I am just wondering if anyone else has felt like this....maybe it is all acid reflux? I just figured if I was taking two pill a day and eating a very bland diet, I should not be having any issues,,,,,any input would be appreciated

[RiceGuy]

Quite honestly, none of your symptoms sound like acid reflux to me. Last I heard, reflux is basically heartburn - a burning sensation in the esophagus. Someone will surely point it out if this isn't correct.

Well, as you yourself have admitted, you've been eating gluten. You haven't been 100% gluten-free, and unless you stick to the diet, you won't really know for sure how you'll feel without gluten in your system.

I just looked up Zantac, and it apparently reduces stomach acid. This is NOT good. Often, reflux is actually caused by low stomach acid. If you have low stomach acid, betaine HCL w/pepsin or raw, unpasteurized, unfiltered apple cider vinegar are said to be very effective. Both help your stomach digest food, so it doesn't sit there and ferment, create gas, and cause discomfort.

If it was me, I think I'd go 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, quit the Zantac, and take probiotics and/or one of the items I mentioned above, for improving digestion. I'd give it some time and see how things go.

I'm sure others will chime in with helpful advice.

[purple]

Quite honestly, none of your symptoms sound like acid reflux to me. Last I heard, reflux is basically heartburn - a burning sensation in the esophagus. Someone will surely point it out if this isn't correct.

Well, as you yourself have admitted, you've been eating gluten. You haven't been 100% gluten-free, and unless you stick to the diet, you won't really know for sure how you'll feel without gluten in your system.

I just looked up Zantac, and it apparently reduces stomach acid. This is NOT good. Often, reflux is actually caused by low stomach acid. If you have low stomach acid, betaine HCL w/pepsin or raw, unpasteurized, unfiltered apple cider vinegar are said to be very effective. Both help your stomach digest food, so it doesn't sit there and ferment, create gas, and cause discomfort.

If it was me, I think I'd go 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, quit the Zantac, and take probiotics and/or one of the items I mentioned above, for improving digestion. I'd give it some time and see how things go.

I'm sure others will chime in with helpful advice.

ditto what RiceGuy said.

[ravenwoodglass]

I agree with the others. It does sound like a gluten reaction. Also the foods you are having a reaction to are gluten foods. You basically have done a gluten challenge. You drop it, you feel better, you add it back in and symptoms come back.

[ang1e0251]

I have acid reflux and it just burns my esophagus. The rest of it sure sounds like when I eat gluten and you mentioned the times you had gluten too. The other posters hit the nail on the head; you eat gluten you are sick. When you don't, you recover. Keep a food/ symptom diary for awhile if this isn't clear to you. Sometimes gluten can fuzzy up our thinking and we don't exactly connect the food and the reaction. When you see it in writing, your own handwriting, you will know what you are reacting to.

[boobybabs]

thanks to all who have replied to my enquiries....appreciate the time....I too wondered about the stomach issues being acid reflux related....but one time when my stomach was gnawing, I took an Zantac 75 and it seemed to ease it a bit...when I mentioned this to doctor - gave me script and scheduled upper GI testing - and acid reflux confirmed (something my mother and sister have)...I have tried to eliminate as much gluten and dairy as possible, but as noted, I have not completely eliminated from diet...which I plan to do...I have been keeping a diary of food and symptoms, but sometimes can be difficult to nail it down.....what confuses me is the lack of severity of symptoms....I would have thought that the diarrhea would be more severe or I would have more signs.....if I consume gluten or dairy - how so would I expect to have a reaction?

[ang1e0251]

I think the problem is you are expecting this condition to be text book with text book reactions and recoveries. Sorry, nothing could be further from the truth. Not only do we all rect differently and heal differently, each person's individual reactions can vary. I don't have the same reaction twice. Sometimes it affects my joints, the fuzzy thinking, gastro, heartburn, foot neuropathy, congestion and coughing, naseua, fatigue, itchy eyes, DH. It can be any combination of these or just one or two. It's very hard to tell if you are catching the flu because it acts the same.

Just know that if you react in any way, you need to examine the last few days to determine if it's gluten or dairy. It could be something else but I always look there first. Sure those pills will give you short term relief for your heartburn, I took them for years. But that wasn't really the problem which is why nothing ever showed up on any tests. The intolerance was the problem. I can see it cleary now in hindsight.

Good luck to you in your search. I hope you will soon find the answers you're looking for.

[leadmeastray88]

I just thought that I would mention that I was diagnosed with acid reflux prior - I was on prescription Losec for 3 years, eventually it got so bad I had to up the dose to 2 a day just to feel a bit of relief.

After going gluten-free, I've never had to take another Losec so far.

Could be a symptom for you as well! Get tested

[boobybabs]

Again, thanks to everyone for replies....it is nice to get some feedback...when I go to the doctors on Monday, we will discuss the allergy issues and I will definitely start on a totally gluten dairy free plan.....had another question.....anyone get a weird feeling in the middle chest like heart beat is out of whack or rythmn - lasts for about 2 minutes and then goes away...this has happened a few times and it is very disconcerting feeling......also, anyone else get a hot face after eating certain foods.....not flushed..the face does not look red or anything.....just feels very warm for about 30-60 minutes?

[boobybabs]

Had doctors appointment today...reviewed symptoms...noted that Zantac did not seem to be doing the trick.....talked about eating licorice and then feeling chilled and tired, noted hot face, noted occasional cramping and diarrhea, noted issues even though eating bland.....discussed my thoughts that I might have gluten or diary intolerance...doctor felt that I would be having more pain and blood in stools if celiac.......she is leaning towards IBS......I have looked up the symptoms: abdominal pain or discomfort often relieved or associated with bowel movement, chronic diarrhea\constipation, white mucus in stool, bloated abdomen and feeling that you have not finished bowel movement....although I have stomach ache or gnawing, it is not really relieved or related to BM , no mucus and no feeling that I have not finished BM....gave me a script for losec - one pill a day - scheduling an ultrasound for abdomen in new year - check for hernia or gallstones....if I request may do celiac test...but she does not feel this is warranted at this point.....wonders if my body is reacting to the fat rather than the gluten as I suspect......so, I will try the new script and see what happens.....

[caek-is-a-lie]

Not every Celiac has desperately dire reactions to gluten with bleeding intestines and pain so bad they want to die. Some Celiacs are asymptomatic. Your doctor is not too bright...the only way she'd know for sure is by doing a blood test and an intestinal biopsy. I'm amazed at how many stereotypes doctors strictly follow when it comes to Celiac. "You're not skinny and pale enough; your stools aren't bloody enough..." etc. etc. How about "Your villi aren't atrophied enough" or "You don't have ANY antibodies?" Yeah then we'll talk.

[leadmeastray88]

Had doctors appointment today...reviewed symptoms...noted that Zantac did not seem to be doing the trick.....talked about eating licorice and then feeling chilled and tired, noted hot face, noted occasional cramping and diarrhea, noted issues even though eating bland.....discussed my thoughts that I might have gluten or diary intolerance...doctor felt that I would be having more pain and blood in stools if celiac.......she is leaning towards IBS......I have looked up the symptoms: abdominal pain or discomfort often relieved or associated with bowel movement, chronic diarrhea\constipation, white mucus in stool, bloated abdomen and feeling that you have not finished bowel movement....although I have stomach ache or gnawing, it is not really relieved or related to BM , no mucus and no feeling that I have not finished BM....gave me a script for losec - one pill a day - scheduling an ultrasound for abdomen in new year - check for hernia or gallstones....if I request may do celiac test...but she does not feel this is warranted at this point.....wonders if my body is reacting to the fat rather than the gluten as I suspect......so, I will try the new script and see what happens.....

Here, we like to call IBS "I be stumped". It's basically the diagnosis docs give you when they don't know what is wrong. Personally, I didn't take that as an answer. I tossed the script and demanded answers. And your doctor is wrong if she says that you need to have bloody stools to have Celiac. To me, it sounds as if she is disregarding your concerns without exploring them further. That is not right.

I would highly suggest going back to your doc and ordering the blood tests. It can't hurt. You are the one who decides if it is warranted, not her. She can't tell you how you're feeling or how you're supposed to feel. It's obvious that you have a problem with gluten, looking at your reactions to it in your first post. That is telling you something! In my opinion dietary response is the best test of all.

I hope you keep exploring your options! Take care

[boobybabs]

thanks for the replies.....appreciate the feedback......yes, I think that I will ask her to look into the test in the new year.....when she mentioned it, I said that it would probably test negative, since I have been trying to avoid any gluten if possible, and I read that you have to have gluten in your system - she says no do not have to...that there are antibodies? I keep saying that I am going to go totally gluten free and then I have a little piece of something.....it is usually when I am feeling pretty good and I say to myself "just a little bit will not hurt" yesterday had about six digestive cookies and a very small piece of dessert (with cracker bottom)......this morning I am getting ready, and I have to sit on the couch for a while....feel lightheaded, weak - really notice this feeling in both arms - just plain do not feel good......this feeling subsided after about 50 minutes.....felt better.......tonight body feels off again....very hard to explain how it feels...kind of tingly all over - not achy, but feels very weird and not right........very hard to explain.....my husband probably thinks that I am losing it...and my mother just says...."you must be going through the change" - so I normally just say I am not feeling well if they ask....does anyone else feel like this? Tomorrow - gluten free.....Even if I am totally off track and it is not gluten....what will it hurt.

[ang1e0251]

Your dr does not understand celiac disease or its tests. Find another.

[Jackchick]

Not sure if I'm breaking protocol here, everyone seems very nice so here goes! I want to add my question to the Is it Celiac or food intolerance thread.

I have no living relatives to ask if this is heriditary or not. My doctor admittedly doesn't know much about Celiac or gluten issues. I have found this forum and site very helpful but here is the question I can't find an answer to. How long does the rash usually last once you've moved away from gluten? I just found the listings of other "no-no's" that contain gluten but don't come right out and say it, so I have not been "truely free." 4 weeks ago I saw my doctor for a crazy rash I suddenly developed. I have slight excema, know the triggers, and have been rash free for 4 years or so, but this thing was definitly different. Very itchy, bumpy and prone to bleeding when scratched , but doesn't quite have that boil look I've seen on google for the dermatits herpetiformis. My family is treating me like a dog that won't stop scratching and I'm banned from the room, told "go put on some lotion" type of stuff.

Because this happened so suddenly with the rash they think it's psycho and I'm causing it because I scratch so much. I'm 44 yrs. and have had gastorial issues on and off for years, I'm overweight but have excellent blood sugar, cholestrol, and blood pressue. I'm not on any meds except tums now and again. Can't be an allergy rash because nothings changed. I was better with the presidone prescription I finished a week ago but the gluten slips in since I didn't know other trigers like semolina.

I understand the seriousness of Celiac Disease. I can be gluten free now that I have this resource to help educate myself. But how long before this rash clears up. I just can't get an idea if once your gluten free that it will be better or if it was the presidone that cleared it up.

[ang1e0251]

I had two different rashes when I went gluten-free. One cleared up within a few days, the blistery one you saw in the pictures. I only had a few spots of that at the time. The other took weeks to clear up and for the discoloration of the skin to fade. However, as soon as I went gluten-free, the itchiness backed off noticably each day I was "clean". The 2nd returned last spring when I was glutening a little each day. I didn't know it was in the caramel coloring in my coffee syrup. This time it was a quick recovery as I knew what the rash was and scrutenized my diet to find the culprit.

If you cheat or get accidently glutened, it will probably prolong your recovery, if your rash is gluten related. So eat carefully and enjoy your recovery.