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Husband Tested For Celiac

maf07

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maf07 Newbie
maf07
Posted

I'm so glad I found this site....

My husband was tested for Celiac today...test results will take awhile.

He's been battling digestive & mental health issues for 15 years and no one has been able to give us answers.

It all started when he was diagnosed with Bi-Polar Disorder and anxiety 15 years ago. At he same time, he was told he had IBS.

He was hospitalized recently with a swollen/blocked small intestine. We were told it's possibly Crohn's, or maybe Colitis.

His GI noted the mental health issues and was concerned about the butt rash (common with Celiac) that he'as had for the past 15 years so he ran the test.

He's also been told he could have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and is often plagued by insomnia.

I am hoping/praying that one of these tests comes back positive for something. Just so we know what we are dealing with.

He's tried mental health drugs like Depakote and Lithium for bi-polar, and ambien for sleeping and nothing helps.

I don't want him to have Celiac (obviously) but if he is diagnosed and we can improve his life, it is better than where we are right now.

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caek-is-a-lie Explorer
caek-is-a-lie
Posted

I have Narcolepsy, non-epileptic seizures, and anxiety from eating gluten and quite a few other people have common sleep problems, anxiety, depression, seizures, and other neurological problems from gluten intolerance. And not just on this forum. I've heard many accounts of people with sleep disorders being incorrectly diagnosed as bi-polar at first. When I avoid gluten my neuro problems go away and I don't have to take any medications. I'm alert and functional and I feel "normal". The nice thing about gluten intolerance is you just have to avoid gluten to treat it. The downside is sometimes gluten can be difficult to avoid.

I hope your husband's results come back soon so he can start feeling better. Best of luck to you both and keep us posted! :)

maf07 Newbie
maf07
Posted
  • Author

Blood test came back negative.

Doctor did not recommend a biopsy.

After his hospitalization with intestinal problems, he is going gluten-free anyway just to see how he feels.

He has 99% of the symptoms of Celiac.

curiousgeorge Rookie
curiousgeorge
Posted

You should get a copy of the blood work results and see the results for yourself and perhaps share here for further thoughts.

mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted
After his hospitalization with intestinal problems, he is going gluten-free anyway just to see how he feels.

A good decision. There's nothing to compare with a "test drive" :)

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      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
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