Do These Symptoms Sound Like Celiac?

[tsy443]

Hi I'm new here. I have been through a lot during the past two years. It all started one day while I was walking to my car and could no longer concentrate, though it was severe. It felt like something was terribly wrong with my mind but I couldn't pinpoint what was going on. Since then I have been having major cognitive difficulties, been severely depressed, been experiencing chronic depersonalization/derealization (a feeling that nothing is real, like being stuck in a dream), from time to time I have horrible stomach pains feeling like someone is wiggling a knife around in my stomach, I am very skinny and hardly ever have an appetite, I have become super apathetic, and get irritated very very easily. I have seen over 10 different types of health professionals since this began and gotten nowhere. I've been told I have "leaky gut" as well as digestive problems and also had tests showing that I am severely allergic to gluten.

Before I began experiencing all this I was in college, had lots of friends, had a girlfriend, was pretty social, I loved to surf, and had a positive outlook on life. Since my symptoms began I've become very isolated, i rarely go out, i don't enjoy anything, I had to drop out of college because I could no longer even process simple math equations that I had learned all semester.

As far as cognitive problems go I have difficulties: processing information, reading facial expressions, formulating and keeping a train of thought, remembering simple things, even just thinking in general is extremely stressful cuz it feels like my brain isn't working, I'm also super spaced out all day everyday. I've had an MRI, EEG, PET, and SPECT scan done, all showing normal results with the exception of the SPECT which showed anxiety and depression. I've also been tested for Lyme, and have done many other bloodtests as well but never knew about Celiac until a few days ago. I want to get tested to see if I have this. Are their certain types of doctors who are better to go to than others? Also do people with Celiac Disease experience symptoms like the things I listed? Thanks for reading.

[tom]

Also do people with Celiac Disease experience symptoms like the things I listed?

AbsoLUTEly some do! (including me)

You should probably see a good gastroenterologist (aka GI) asap.

Make sure the blood test is ALL FIVE components. Too often I hear of docs not doing the complete celiac panel.

I never remember the names, but they're listed in many threads. (Or maybe someone will post them here)

[RiceGuy]

I agree completely, though being self-diagnosed I can't help you with the specific tests to ask for.

Although I do relate to most of the symptoms you've mentioned, and I think Celiac seems likely, I'd feel remiss if I didn't mention candida. An intestinal yeast overgrowth (commonly referred to as candida) can cause all sorts of cognitive problems. The feeling that nothing is real/living in a dream/spaced out, and inability to concentrate can all be caused by candida. Furthermore, since Celiac, leaky gut, and candida overgrowth often go together, I think it would be very worth addressing your health problems from the prospective that candida is part of it.

Many doctors dismiss the entire notion of an imbalance of intestinal flora. However, you won't necessarily need a doctor to combat the yeasty beasties. In my experience, caprylic acid capsules work very well, are inexpensive, and should be readily available from your local health foods store. In addition to taking such a candida killer (there are others besides caprylic acid), it is extremely advisable to avoid all sugars, yeasts (including yeast breads), vinegars (including ketchup), and fruit. This is basically referred to as "the candida diet". There are a number of threads on this board where you can get more information on this, and of course you should always feel free to ask any questions you have.

There is a simple home test you can do called the "spit test", which is supposed to be accurate (though I cannot confirm). If you're interested, just Google "candida spit test" for how to do it. All you need is a glass of water, so there's no cost or harm in trying.

[rinne]

Hi.

Sorry you are feeling so unwell.

I am thinking if you are here then you may be willing to think diet has something to do with how you are feeling, yes?

What is your diet like?

You said you've had various tests done, did any of those tests include blood work to check your vitamin and mineral levels?

[tsy443]

my diet is bad though i went on a gluten free diet for 2-3 months a while back. im sorry, i want to write more i just can't even get my brain to focus right now. AHHHGGG SO FRUSTRATING!!!!

[rinne]

Post when you can.

[maile]

my diet is bad though i went on a gluten free diet for 2-3 months a while back. im sorry, i want to write more i just can't even get my brain to focus right now. AHHHGGG SO FRUSTRATING!!!!

hey, you're in a place people where understand! I went thru mental h#ll in the fall, lack of focus, anxiety, depression, brain fog etc, maybe not as bad as yours but what you say sounds awfully familiar!!

you'll post when you can....in the meantime try and give yourself a break....eat simple foods if you can, rice, fruit, vegetables, meat....keep the seasonings basic so you don't contaminate yourself, drink lots of water to flush your system and then, if you aren't already, get some B12 and vitamin D into you....these supplements should help the brain fog lift in addition to the diet.

(i'm not a doctor or a nutritionist, this is just what helps me if I get into that state)

good luck

[rinne]

hey, you're in a place people where understand! I went thru mental h#ll in the fall, lack of focus, anxiety, depression, brain fog etc, maybe not as bad as yours but what you say sounds awfully familiar!!

you'll post when you can....in the meantime try and give yourself a break....eat simple foods if you can, rice, fruit, vegetables, meat....keep the seasonings basic so you don't contaminate yourself, drink lots of water to flush your system and then, if you aren't already, get some B12 and vitamin D into you....these supplements should help the brain fog lift in addition to the diet.

(i'm not a doctor or a nutritionist, this is just what helps me if I get into that state)

good luck

Good advice, I'm not a doctor or nutritionist either.