The Hospital Offered Me Crackers

[Chewy]

I had to go to the hospital recently, and was told that, 1) I have the stomach flu- which is so far beyond what is actually going on. 2) When they discharge me, they give me hydrocodone. From what I have researched and heard; tylenol is the worst type of pain reliever a celiac can take.

"To investigate further the conflicting results in reports of drug absorption in patients with small intestinal mucosal disease, gastric emptying and the disposition of acetaminophen were assessed simultaneously in 41 subjects (13 controls, 12 patients with Crohn's disease, and 16 with celiac disease). Acetaminophen absorption as judged by plasma concentrations and gastric emptying were slower in patients with celiac disease and Crohn's disease. Total drug absorption as indicated by urinary recovery did not differ, but plasma acetaminophen half-life was shorter and glucuronide conjugation was enhanced in the patients with Crohn's disease. Contrary to expectation, the mean rate constant for acetaminophen absorption from the small intestine was not decreased in Crohn's disease and celiac disease. The abnormally slow acetaminophen absorption in the patients with Crohn's or celiac disease could be explained by slower gastric emptying of the drug solution."

I had ONE person say something about my disease which was, "So you have Celiac Disease?" That was it.

It hurt me most to know that I was more intelligent then the doctors at the hospital. It makes me worry that someone is going to poison me because they NEVER study anything about Celiac. I swear, they must just have a paragraph of information about celiac in their books. It took them 4 years to figure out that I have Celiac Disease.

I'm tired of being the victim. Why if I have to educate my doctors am I not receiving a paycheck?

I'm so furious with the health care system and doctors education on the subject. I'm sick; but that makes me ill. Just ILL.

EXPECT EVERY DOCTOR YOU ENCOUNTER TO BE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED. Chances are they wont even know what you're talking about.

[ang1e0251]

Most of us have had go 'rounds with our dr's. I just decided that for me, I need to look after myself unless the oppurtunity comes along where I could have a dr with celiac disease him/herself.

I just gave up the idea that my dr is really going to take care of me. A part of it is my own fault, I never told him all the symptoms I had, it made me sound like a hypochondriac. But he is a GP and I don't think he would have put it together anyway. The experience I had when my gallbladder went bad taught me that if I don't push for the next step in my care, no one else will. They'd rather wait until you're wheeled into the ER before they act. Because Dr's are like the general public, if they can't see you bleeding, they don't really believe your suffering.

Be your own advocate. Take printed material if you have to. And just do what you need to to be well!! On the forum we will back you.

[Sharmeeli]

Hmmm..... I have been saying that to my husband (who des not have celiac disease)...... most doctors do not know enough about this topic. My GYN insisted that the prenatal vitamins that she gives from her office does not contain wheat and I should take them. She was looking for WHEAT in the list of ingredients! But I refused and bought my own gluten-free vitamins. She did not understand why I was so stubborn. I wish the situation was different.....

[Gemini]

I had to go to the hospital recently, and was told that, 1) I have the stomach flu- which is so far beyond what is actually going on. 2) When they discharge me, they give me hydrocodone. From what I have researched and heard; tylenol is the worst type of pain reliever a celiac can take.

"To investigate further the conflicting results in reports of drug absorption in patients with small intestinal mucosal disease, gastric emptying and the disposition of acetaminophen were assessed simultaneously in 41 subjects (13 controls, 12 patients with Crohn's disease, and 16 with celiac disease). Acetaminophen absorption as judged by plasma concentrations and gastric emptying were slower in patients with celiac disease and Crohn's disease. Total drug absorption as indicated by urinary recovery did not differ, but plasma acetaminophen half-life was shorter and glucuronide conjugation was enhanced in the patients with Crohn's disease. Contrary to expectation, the mean rate constant for acetaminophen absorption from the small intestine was not decreased in Crohn's disease and celiac disease. The abnormally slow acetaminophen absorption in the patients with Crohn's or celiac disease could be explained by slower gastric emptying of the drug solution."

I am not sure all Celiacs have this problem....I know I don't and I have never had a problem with taking any OTC pain reliever, post diagnosis and recovery. Everything will be a problem before diagnosis but I think many do use Tylenol with no problems. Also, isn't Hydrocodone the generic form of Vicodin, which is a powerful narcotic? I've used Vicodin after dental procedures and it works extremely well for pain.

I had ONE person say something about my disease which was, "So you have Celiac Disease?" That was it.

It hurt me most to know that I was more intelligent then the doctors at the hospital. It makes me worry that someone is going to poison me because they NEVER study anything about Celiac. I swear, they must just have a paragraph of information about celiac in their books. It took them 4 years to figure out that I have Celiac Disease.

I don't think it's an issue with intelligence but a lack of knowledge on this particular disease. Doctors tend to be really good at diagnosing things that can be seen on a scan, x-ray or blood work but do very badly with chronic disease states. They aren't even that good with diabetes management, from what I have seen. It's all up to the patient to be their own advocate and I prefer that myself. You were lucky that it only took 4 years to be diagnosed....try going 20! I ended up figuring it out myself and requested testing, which turned out positive. Doctors aren't that motivated to screen for diseases that they cannot control. There is no pill....just a dietary change that it totally within the patients control. You hardly need doctors once you recover, which is a good thing!

I'm tired of being the victim. Why if I have to educate my doctors am I not receiving a paycheck?

I'm so furious with the health care system and doctors education on the subject. I'm sick; but that makes me ill. Just ILL.

I really understand your frustration because I lived it for 20 years but try not to think of yourself as a victim. It's an ugly word and should be saved for those who are true victims. By the time most Celiacs are diagnosed, they know so much about medicine, generally, and that is always good. Knowledge is power and it's doubtful a doctor will get much past you after that experience. Concentrate on recovery and health and educate people where you can, without the anger. Celiacs should get no more attention in a hospital setting than anyone else and there are many who are much more seriously ill. I'm not belittling how bad it can get for us because I was severely malnourished at time of Dx but Celiac isn't cancer and we can control this without interference from the medical community, for the most part. Don't expect anything to change anytime soon either as most people live in denial about food related health problems and until there is a pill for this (which I doubt), doctors won't be interested either. Have you seen what many doctors and nurses look like? They need a lesson in nutrition themselves!

EXPECT EVERY DOCTOR YOU ENCOUNTER TO BE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED. Chances are they wont even know what you're talking about.

LOL!!!! There is an element of truth to this. I hope you feel better soon and don't have to deal with hospitals again. If you do, have someone bring you food because that way will be more successful. I wouldn't even eat hospital food myself....it's usually horrible, never mind getting it gluten-free!

[LadyCyclist87]

Also, isn't Hydrocodone the generic form of Vicodin, which is a powerful narcotic? I've used Vicodin after dental procedures and it works extremely well for pain.

Yes, it is Vicodin. :-) Tylenol, the generic name for acetaminophen, is a class of itself -- a pain reliever. The prime difference between hydrocodone and acetaminophen is the narcotic component that is found in hydrocodone (also has addicting effects, thus to be given in small or temporary doses, if possible).

Anyway, in response to Chewy, I'm sorry that you were treated that poorly in the hospital. If they offered you crackers, it was probably out of ignorance of Celiac Disease. But as a nursing student who has clinical experience in the hospital, I know that they usually accommodate those suffering from Celiac's/gluten intolerance. They have an alternative diet that is gluten-free (it's limited, but usually still there). Make sure you make yourself clear to at least the nurses that you have Celiac's. Some may not get the picture...but there's a lot of us who will too. :-)

It also depresses me to see this topic. Oftentimes, you really do have to be your own doctor; you have to have faith in yourself and look out for yourself because not many other people will. The average healthcare personnel needs to be educated more in regard to Celiac Disease, especially considering that it is an increasing problem in our nation. But for now, go with your gut feeling...and if you need to go back to the hospital, ask nurses what you're allowed (and not allowed) to eat depending on your condition, and then provide your own diet (or ask someone else you trust to) if they do not offer gluten-free alternatives.

Best of luck in your future hospital stays (god forbid you should have anymore though!).