Could I Have Celiac?

[bekkaz]

Hello all: I just joined today and this is my first post. I am wondering if I could have a gluten intolerance or celiac disease. I have previously been told that I have IBS. I have often wondered if I have more than this. I notice that after I eat many times my stomach gets very swollen. It almost appears as though I am 5+ months pregnant. My stomach just get's hugely bloated, I often also cough after I eat. The coughing usually doesn't last long and I would say it's almost like a phlem that develops and once I cough and clear out my throat it's gone. I would say it's not acid reflux, because it doesn't burn nor does it come with heart burn. My husband has also noticed this very swollen stomach. I kept saying I think I might be having a reaction to carbs or something?!? Which gluten would make sense since it's in darn near all bad carbs. Today so far I have eaten a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast. For lunch I had pizza on a pizza buffet. I am swollen, full of gas, and tired/lethargic feeling which is often the case. I really appreciate any responses. Thank you in advance for any help.

[elye]

Hi, Bekkaz, and welcome!

Bloating (whether sudden or not, extreme or slight), lethargy and gassiness are classic, well-known symptoms of gluten intolerance/celiac. Moreover, many members on this board have had their gluten issues misdiagnosed as IBS (it is often referred to 'round here as "I Be Stumped", as docs seem to often diagnose IBS when they aren't sure what they are dealing with!)..... . .. . . .

I would suggest asking your doc to run the celiac blood panel. You could well get your answer, and start feeling a lot better on the gluten-free diet!

[ksangie]

You were right on my post... we're both bloated the same way. Five months pregnant looking is not an exaggeration for me either.

As for celiac testing, be sure you have a doctor that knows to give you a full panel. The first time around I was only given an EMA and that is thrown off by IGA deficiency (which I found out a couple of weeks ago I happen to have.) The second time my new doctor did it right and tested IGA and IGG. High IGG doesn't prove celiac, but it darn near does. I'll be having a biopsy on Friday to follow up on my IGG being way out of range.

I hope you can find some answers in blood tests, but if not, you might do what I'm thinking about doing and go gluten-free despite test results just to try it out. I'll get my biopsy results and then bye-bye gluten.