Question Regarding Test On Sept. 9 - Long Post, Sorry

[Freda66]

Hello,

I am very grateful for finding all of you. In tears I am writing this because I think I may have found the possible cause of all my health issues for the past several years.

I'm 43 and since about 38 I have had extreme joint point, nausea, migraines, stomachaches (stabbing pains usually in right side but also general "gut" aches...I carry Pepto Bismal with me everywhere and sip it right out of the bottle usually daily), tingling sensations in certain places, vertigo, ...the list goes on. And as of the past year, I've had on-going yeast infections that won't clear up.

Over the past several years I've been tested for MS, Lupus, HIV, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's, gallbladder issues, this list goes on too. Nothing came back positive. I did see a doctor who did non-conventional tests for hypothyroidism and he put me on Armour Thyroid which seemed to help me for awhile but the same things are starting over...the stomach problems never fully went away though.

Last fall I was hospitalized for chronic diarrhea, inflammation was found in my small intestine through a CAT Scan and a colonoscopy was done to rule out Crohn's. Crohn's was ruled out and I was told it was probably a virus. About a month later I went to Vegas and ended up in the emergency room due to stomach issues and diarrhea. I resigned myself to think that I just have a sensitive stomach with some lactose intolerance issues. Things however have gotten much worse. At times I am so bloated I look like I'm 7 months pregnant.

Based on a friend's suggestion (who has celiac's), I am trying a gluten free diet. I felt better after a couple of days but then I went out to eat and am sure I had gluten. The next day I had the gas and headache, was extremely bloated, the same old things. I'm not too familiar with a gluten free diet to be completely gluten free I guess. Anyway, today I called my gastro doctor and made an appointment to discuss and be tested for celiac's.

Finally, here is my question....I'm going on vacation in about a week back to Vegas again. This time I hope to see more than the emergency room. I want to try and continue to eat gluten-free because I feel better and I don't want to be sick on vacation. I return from vacation on August 28th, my test is on the 9th. In order for the test to be accurate do I need to be eating gluten from now until then? The doctor's office said they would do an endoscopy for the test. I don't know what to do.

Thanks for reading such a long post and for any advice.

Freda

[grainfree]

Hi Freda, I am awaiting my celiac blood screen result and in anticipation of a possible biopsy I have been consuming bread and pasta for more than two weeks every day. At this point I feel so sick that a blood or biopsy proven diagnosis seems unimportant. If the blood result is negative I will still on my own follow a gluten free diet due solely to my body's reactions. If positive and needing to proceed to endoscopy will continue on the gluten until then. It seems to me that the damage to the intestine is already severe enough that a few weeks off gluten is not time enough to completely heal the bowel and give a false diagnosis. There is much variation in this thinking though. If I were going on vacay I'd probably want to enjoy it! Wishing you good health and a happy vacation!

[jerseyangel]

Finally, here is my question....I'm going on vacation in about a week back to Vegas again. This time I hope to see more than the emergency room. I want to try and continue to eat gluten-free because I feel better and I don't want to be sick on vacation. I return from vacation on August 28th, my test is on the 9th. In order for the test to be accurate do I need to be eating gluten from now until then? The doctor's office said they would do an endoscopy for the test. I don't know what to do.

Hi Freda, and welcome! I'm glad you found us too

You will need to remain on gluten right up until the testing to get an accurate result. I know that's not what you wanted to hear with your vacation coming up.

Is it possible to postpone your trip until after the endoscopy?