Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Are My Symptoms Celiac Or Ibs?

Thomasmcfall

Recommended Posts

Thomasmcfall Newbie
Thomasmcfall
Posted

Hi all, firstly this site could be very helpful for me so its great!!

I have the following symptoms and my GP has said I am suffering from IBS,

I have been tested (blood) and have seen a Specialist (Gastro.....ologist) and they have both said that I have IBS, I have had no Endoscopy, or Ultra-sound scan or biopsy???...

My symptoms then... Very sore tummy pain, bloated/cramps...severe wind (no Vomiting)But often feel sick/nauseous...

Have some dry skin on my head, chest (although I do suffer from exzema).. I would real appreciate some help...friends and colleagues have suggested gluten in my diet, or perhaps dairy produce???

I just get so depressed and It really does severely affect my life.

Hey thanks everyone!!

Thomas

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


pewpewlasers Rookie
pewpewlasers
Posted

I would ask your doctor about an endoscopy. Have they told you why they haven't done one yet to rule out celiac?

Fiddle-Faddle Community Regular
Fiddle-Faddle
Posted

While an endoscopy can confirm celiac, it really can't rule it out. There have been plenty of people on this board whose initial biopsies were negative, but later biopsies showed celiac.

There are several possible reasons for this.

The first biopsy might have been taken before there was significant damage to the villi.

The first biopsy might have been taken when the patient was already gluten-free (an automatic negative biopsy, but most doctors don't seem to understand this).

Some patients with celiac never develop villi damage, or only develop it much later (such as those with Dermatitis Herpetiformis, which is an automatic diagnosis of celiac even without villi damage).

Even when there IS villi damage, it is often patchy, and not easily visible. A couple of tiny (1/4 inch or smaller) samples taken from 22 FEET of intestines can be a hit-or-miss affair in this situation.

The current idea that the "gold standard" diagnosis of celiac is based on the technology of 50 years ago, when this "gold standard" first came into use. This was before the sensitive and high-tech blood tests of today were available.

Many people question why the biopsy is still considered the gold standard of diagnosis. Indeed, many doctors do diagnose celiac based on blood work alone, though most still rely on the biopsy.

nu-to-no-glu Apprentice
nu-to-no-glu
Posted

If this is any help...my dr believes that "ibs" is merely a symptom. I was diagnosed with ibs probably about 6 times, by 6 different drs and having taken about every ibs medication available (with no relief) I have to say I believe it! I've been gluten free only a month, and the results are astounding! I recommend just trying it, as a search for an educated dr can be frustrating.also,search for a thread called "recommend a dr in your state" and you might find a knowledgable dr near you. I think its a good place to start, especially if you think you notice a connection. Good luck!

  • 2 weeks later...
missybean Apprentice
missybean
Posted
Hi all, firstly this site could be very helpful for me so its great!!

I have the following symptoms and my GP has said I am suffering from IBS,

I have been tested (blood) and have seen a Specialist (Gastro.....ologist) and they have both said that I have IBS, I have had no Endoscopy, or Ultra-sound scan or biopsy???...

My symptoms then... Very sore tummy pain, bloated/cramps...severe wind (no Vomiting)But often feel sick/nauseous...

Have some dry skin on my head, chest (although I do suffer from exzema).. I would real appreciate some help...friends and colleagues have suggested gluten in my diet, or perhaps dairy produce???

I just get so depressed and It really does severely affect my life.

Hey thanks everyone!!

Thomas

I have been diagnosed as having IBS as well and I have seen so many doctors from allgergist,dermatologist,rheumatologists,gastro's, to GP's. I never had any positive blood work for celiac but I basically figured out on my own I had a problem with grains. Didn't suspect gluten until I started getting these awful hive like rashes on my knees and my primary said that it looked like DH and said the only way to get better is gluten free diet....I did it and with-in a week all my IBS symptoms and joint pain went away and the itch rash started to improve. Hummm. I agree with a lot of other people.... diagnoses really shouldn't just be based off of positive blood work or boipsies because many of us get tested for years and still no positive tests results. Go gluten free for a couple of months. Some people notice a difference right away and others it takes months if not a year or two for all the symptoms to go away. Don't give up and trust your gut no matter what some stupid test says. I have been on this journey for only 2 years of trying to figure out whats wrong and I'm just finding stuff out. Do a food journal thats what really helps and you could also have other food sensitivies as well as gluten issues..... most of us do. I agree with the theory that IBS is really a symptom of gluten sensitivity or other food allergies. I makes sence to me. To me IBS is just a name for a bunch of symptoms that they can't figure out or get any positive blood work on.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,782
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    BH1951
    Newest Member
    BH1951
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • nanny marley
      Manitol and mri

      By nanny marley · Posted

      Hi I've been told I need a MRI on my bowels , I was booked for a colonoscopy, but because of my sever back issues and trapped nerve it can't be done , the nurse told me I will have to have a manitol drink a hour before the scan , I'm just a bit worried has I have issues with sweeteners like even a little,  I get a weird throat and ears and I've read it is a similar substance , not sure if anyone has had one of these scans or could give me some advise on the drink prep thanks in advance 😄
    • Colleen H
      Ibuprofen

      By Colleen H · Posted

      Ok thank you.  Me either 
    • Colleen H
      Celiac attack confusion and anxiety

      By Colleen H · Posted

      Hi all ! Can a celiac attack be so intense that it causes your entire body to work in reverse? Meaning really bad pain,  neuropathy and muscle,  jaw pain,  the stomach issues , Horrible anxiety and confusion??  I had a Tums and you would think I ate poison. My jaw and stomach did not like it . Not the norm for me. Things that are simple are just out of control. Anyone ever have this happen??  I'm trying to figure out what I ate or did to bring on a celiac like attack. I had an idea before but yesterday I didn't have any gluten unless it was in a medication ?! Any positive suggestions ??  Thank you 
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten free stuff

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      The following two lists are very helpful for anyone who is gluten sensitive and needs to avoid gluten when shopping. It's very important to learn to read labels and understand sources of hidden gluten, and to know some general information about product labelling--for example in the USA if wheat is a possible allergen it must be declared on a product's ingredient label like this: Allergens: Wheat.      
    • trents
      Gluten free stuff

      By trents · Posted

      Tammy, in the food industry, "gluten free" doesn't mean the same thing as "no gluten". As Scott explained, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) allows food companies to use the "gluten-free" label as long as the product does not contain more than 20 ppm (parts per million) of gluten. This number is based on studies the FDA did years ago to determine the reaction threshold for those with celiac disease. And the 20 ppm figure works for the majority of celiacs. There are those who are more sensitive, however, who still react to that amount. There is another, stricter standard known as "Certified Gluten Free" which was developed by a third party organization known as GFCO which requires not more than 10 ppm of gluten. So, when you see "GFCO" or "Certified Gluten Free" labels on food items you know they are manufactured with a stricter standard concerning gluten content. Having said all that, even though you may read the disclaimer on a food item that says the spices may contain wheat, barley or rye (the gluten grains), you should be able to trust that the amount of gluten the spices may contain is so small it allows the total product to meet the requirements of gluten free or certified gluten free labeling. I hope this helps.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.