Hello

[Guest usulasula]

Hello. My name is Charlotte and I am 12 years old, and I live in England. I have been diagnosed with Coeliac Disease since last August but I have only been Gluten Free since October 5th last year. Before I was diagnosed I had terrible stomach aches and I had them for 3 years. They still haven't gone away and now I can't go to school anymore. My dad has Coeliac Disease too.

What about you??

usulasula

[Canadian Karen]

Hi Charlotte! Welcome to the board!

We have lots of people here who are very knowledgeable and supportive. We also have a wide variety of ages here, including children, so I hope you feel comfortable here. One of our most valued and knowledgeable members is celiac3270, who is 14 years old.

How are you doing on the gluten-free diet? Has it improved your symptoms yet? I know for some people, it take months, if not years, for major changes to take place.

Welcome!

Karen

[Guest usulasula]

The diet is okay, but it is annoying when your best friend says, 'Do you want to come to Pizza Hut tonight?' Gggrrr!

I don't know if the symptoms have improved coz the stomach aches haven't gone. It is hard to tell. Thanx for the info!

[stef-the-kicking-cuty]

Hello Charlotte,

welcome on this message board. You can always find help here.

celiac3270 actually had a similar problem. After going glutenfree he couldn't get better and then they found out he had malrotated intestines.

But it can take a while to get better. I remember it took me like forever... and I still have problems from time to time. Hang in there!

[Guest usulasula]

Has anyone here had an endoscopy? I had one in October and I have to have another one around Xmas time.

[Carriefaith]

Welcome!

Yes, I had one endoscopy and some biopsies. I didn't have a second one though. I think it is a good idea to have a second endoscopy/biopsies since you will be able to see if the gluten-free diet is working ie. healing your villi.

[celiac3270]

Hi Charlotte...I thought I'd post here since I was mentioned twice .

I was diagnosed in February 2004...after having gastrointestinal symptoms for the past 8 years or so. Basically, I was paranoid about the diet and followed it perfectly, but saw little improvement. I had a second endoscopy (also had a first one to verify the diagnosis) to make sure that I wasn't accidentally ingesting gluten and it turned out that my villi had completely grown back...then I had more tests done and discovered that I had malrotation of the instestines, as well. It's relatively rare, occurs before birth, and is characterized by severe abdominal pain, often vomiting (look for green or dark yellow colors...sorry to be so graphic ) ...umm, also by inability or difficulty in gaining weight, basically the celiac symptoms. I think it's unlikely that you have it, also, but if any of this matches up, maybe read up on it. It's normally found in infancy, but they missed it in me and took 14 years to find it...thank God they did, too, and thank God nothing happened to me over those 14 years...or I could've lost an organ and been living on IVs...yikes! I'm fine, though, and healthier than I ever have been. My symptoms also got progressively worse while I had them.

What about me? Nothing, really...if you have any questions or anything, you can e-mail me (see the e-mail feature right below the end of my post)...

Also about symptoms, make sure no gluten's getting into your diet--the tiniest bit from toothpaste or lipstick could impediment your recovery.

That's about it...welcome to the boards!

-celiac3270

[MySuicidalTurtle]

Hello, Charlotte.

[petlover]

Hi, Asia here igot my test results back and they said i don't have celiac disease but there still is a chance that i do . And thats bad but i am glad i came up negitive. Got to go. Bye

[celiac3270]

I have not eaten gluten for only 2-3 weeks but have had a few accidents.  Some how now when I have an accident it hurts so much more

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Asia, which tests did you have done? Did you have a biopsy or blood tests and do you or your mom know which ones? I've read in other posts that you felt really bad when you accidentally consumed gluten, so you might have some problem with gluten, even if it isn't celiac.