Gluten Intolerance, And Unsupportive Family

[djs89]

Hi,

Im 19, I've had health problems the past couple years with acne, fatigue, depression, poor concentration and memory, and constipation even though I ate fiber, vegetables and fruits. Sometimes the constipation problem was very severe and I nearly had to go to the hospital, but I was too embarassed to go to a doctor about it.

Lately I've been learning more about diet and nutrition, and also about gluten intolerance. I learned about it because I wanted to get rid of the acne and digestive problems. I've always been a carb addict so I probably ate a lot of gluten before, and that may have been a big part of the problem. I've tried the strictly gluten/wheat free diet for up to about a week (that was as long as I could hold out for), and the results were very positive. My skin cleared up, I felt better, I could concentrate and the most significant change was that I wasn't constipated anymore.

I'd like to go fully gluten free, but I have trouble doing the gluten free diet for very long. My family doesn't really think much of when I say that I think I'm intolerant to gluten. They just kind of ignore it. And then its hard when your parents keep offering wheat foods for dinner, like pasta and bread, and buying me my favorite gluten/wheat foods at the store to eat. My sister also doesn't think eating wheat will hurt.

I don't know if I actually have a gluten intolerance, or if its celiac disease. I haven't seen a doctor in years, usually I don't unless I have a serious problem. I am suspecting though that I have some kind of gastrointestinal problem related to consuming wheat. It seems like my digestive system just shuts down when I eat wheat foods. I would like to find out if maybe its an intolerance or celiac disease, and get a proper diagnosis but I'm afraid of colonoscopies or having the dr telling me that I have to get an invasive procedure. I also have the problem of my family not taking me seriously about it.

[lovegrov]

The first step is blood tests. The doctor might then want you to have an endoscopy, but that's up to you. Do the blood tests first.

richard