End Of My Rope

[AmyO]

I have been sick for over 4 years now, and im a 21 year old college senior. I have had about 5 or so different gastroenterologists, had 3 upper endoscopies, a colonoscopy, and multiple other upper and lower GI series tests. My blood tests came back positive for the IgG antibody. I had my first upper endoscopy and it came back negative- the Dr. said he didn't see anything wrong. The second one had the same result. The third endoscopy and third Dr. said that it didn't look like celiac disease but that my duodenum was "pale" which is indicative of malabsorption. Since Celiac disease causes malabsorption of the small intestine- I don't understand how with all of my symptoms, a positive blood test, and malabsorption of my small intestine that I could still not be diagnosed with celiac disease!! I was so infuriated.

I went on a gluten-free diet for a while and felt better. But after about 5 months it got too hard to handle and since I haven't officially been diagnosed with celiac disease, I didn't think it was really necessary. I am a college senior who does not like to cook and am pre-med with an extreemly busy schedule. Since I spend most of my time in hospitals as an EMT and with pre-med internships, I just don't feel like going back to insensitive doctors who will not do anything for me. But now my symptoms are getting a lot worse again and literally every time I eat (which usually contains gluten) I immediately have diarrhea. I tried to give blood a couple of weeks ago and my hematocrit was too low- the nurse there told me that I was mildly anemic. I don't know what else to do and am very much so at the end of my rapidly fraying rope. Does anyone have any advice for me or know of any good GI doctors who specialize in celiac disease in NJ or PA? I would really appreciate any help.

[pixiegirl]

Hi, I can't help you with finding a doctor since I'm not in your area but I just want you to know that there are a lot of people out there (and on this list) that are not officially diagnosed with Celiac. My doctor specifically told me I did not have Celiac. He's wrong.

I had symptoms for years, like you and have the runs every time I eat gluten. I went on a gluten free diet and all my symptoms went away. So to me, thats all I needed to know.

However when my mom started to show symptoms and my daughter gets belly aches a lot, I did have my genes tested and I have the 2 main genes that cause celiac. So that confirms it for me, my doctor was wrong and all the specialists I went to were wrong. You can have celiac and not have your intestines damaged (yet), which is why my blood tests were negative.

If you read this list a lot I think you will see that a gluten-free diet really isn't that hard. I travel often and I do fine out there in airports and the real world. I eat a lot of simple food, fruit, veggies, plain grilled meat, rice, potatoes. When I travel I always pack a few snacks for the plane. Find a good health food place, like Whole foods Market (I drive almost an hour to get to one) and they have a lot of great easy and quick gluten-free foods and snacks.

Each person has to make their own decision but for me to get rid of the runs, which I had for over 8 years (so badly I was often confined to my house) there is no way I'd eat gluten again.

I wish you the best! Susan

[Guest BellyTimber]

I am in the same sort of position as you. I felt a freak with a denial-oriented world stacked against me. I have asked myself over and over, why should I follow this freakish diet?

I still need a suitably serious diagnosis, not only for my employers, but also - by giving it - my GP might catalyse himself into furnishing me with appropriate ongoing advice!

It was an excellent book by Karen Brody that listed on-line discussion forums on the subject and I have had my nose stuck in it every chance I have had, during (less than) the last 3 weeks.

As a result I have got proportion, perspective and courage and no longer feel outnumbered. The doctor is only human - in reality the outcomes of the various tests are truly, phenomenally variable - celiac disease has only so much as been heard of for a few decades - the advocacy person I've got hold of will somehow help me persuade the doctor to make some kind of helpful move.

There are thousands of posts here on every aspect from the last one and a bit years, from hundreds of special, special people that have been where you & I have been and are.

So glad you made it to get in touch.

Michael

P.S. there is a doctor portion of the forum, read it first in case someone in your area has already been mentioned.

[Guest BellyTimber]

... I meant, stuck in this one ...