Can It Be Celiac If Symptoms Are Opposite?

[aja]

Hi,

I just found this board. I have not been diagnosed, but my doctor put me on the gluten-free diet because after post Giardia treatment, I am not recovering. I did not have the normal symptoms for Giardia ( diarrhea and vomiting) instead, I have chronic constipation and bloating. Obviously, I do not have the usual symptoms for Celiac either, but read that some people do have the opposite experiences (like mine). Can anyone here identify with that?

Thanks,

Aja

[mushroom]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

You do, indeed, have two of the classic symptoms of celiac. Nearly everyone who has the digestive problems of celiac reports bloating as a major symptom. As for constipation, that is also very common. Some people have diarrhea, some constipation, some alternate between the two. Is there some reason why your doctor did not give you the celiac blood test?

[aja]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

You do, indeed, have two of the classic symptoms of celiac. Nearly everyone who has the digestive problems of celiac reports bloating as a major symptom. As for constipation, that is also very common. Some people have diarrhea, some constipation, some alternate between the two. Is there some reason why your doctor did not give you the celiac blood test?

I think that it is so soon after the Giardia diagnosis, plus she has been on vacation so I hope to get to see her this week. In the week that I have eliminated gluten from my diet, my stomach has been bubbling like crazy. She also has me on a lot of supplements, plus I am taking mega doses of Vitamin B 12 and D to compat neuropathy issues that I've had for years. I have to wonder if that is also bothering my intestines.

Thanks for your reply

Aja

[mushroom]

I think that it is so soon after the Giardia diagnosis, plus she has been on vacation so I hope to get to see her this week. In the week that I have eliminated gluten from my diet, my stomach has been bubbling like crazy. She also has me on a lot of supplements, plus I am taking mega doses of Vitamin B 12 and D to compat neuropathy issues that I've had for years. I have to wonder if that is also bothering my intestines.

Thanks for your reply

Aja

Taking so many supplements on an unhealed gut could indeed cause you some bubbling problems, although if you do have celiac you will probably need all those supplements. Did she check you for these deficiencies? Because if so and you were deficient that is another major indicator of celiac--failure to absorb nutrients. Neuropathy is also another major celiac symptom; some people have only the neuropathy as a celiac symptom. I think your doc might be heading in the right direction. You are one of the lucky ones to have found a knowledgeable doctor Do make sure you are tested right away with the blood panel because the antibodies can disappear from your bloodstream quite quickly once you stop eating gluten.

[aja]

Mushroom,

I was diagnosed with Fribromyalgia about 5 years ago. The neuropathy became an issue about the same time.

I have had the constipation issue for about that long, but didn't think much about it as my pain meds listed I as major side effect. I have had many blood tests though and wasn't found deficient in what was checked. Then I found this new doctor and her take was that the Fibro was being caused by something else. I went off all meds in thei interam and constipation stayed. So she got me tested for Giardia, which came back positive. I began a 10 day treatment on 9/24 and felt great for the first few days and then regressed back to where I am now. I have faith that she will get to the bottom of things, I just don't think I will like the results. Thanks Again!

Aja

[mushroom]

Then I found this new doctor and her take was that the Fibro was being caused by something else.

I like this doc more and more, the more you talk about her. I think you have a keeper there. Have you any idea how many celiacs are first (incorrectly) diagnosed with fibromyalgia???

No, if the diagnosis is what we expect you probably won't like it, but it's better than not having a diagnosis or having a wrong one However, there is always the possibility of a negative test, even a false negative. If that is the case you should stay gluten free anyway and give it a solid try.

Good luck.