Hi Guys, Newbie. My Symptoms

[J&Lmomma]

This board is amazing. I've learned so much so far. Thank you.

Here are some things that I think point to celiac or gluten intolerance in my body. Your feedback is appreciated. I "accidentally" stumbled upon the possibility of a gluten intolerance as I did the South Beach diet and eliminated certain foods, specifically gluten and sugar.

-Fatigue. Not just the typical working-mom of two small kids fatigue. I am always tired. Always.

-ADD/ADHD. This is something I have already made an appt. to get checked. It's amazing how this could potentially be linked to celiac and I only learned this after reading these boards. I've struggled with what I thought was depression for a really long time, but I think it is more ADD/ADHD related.

-Lower right stomach pain. Also another symptom I read on the site.

-Tingling and numbness in my lower legs

-Irregular periods. What is strange is that every time I cut gluten out, my cycle will start almost 8 days later. Very odd. This has happened 3 times.

-Keratosis pilaris-small bumps on the back of my arms. I also read this could be related to a gluten intolerance. I also have really acne prone skin, but it is not dry.

-Night sweats.

-Low body temperature. Typically in the 97's

-frequent lower back pain

-I am of Norther European decent.

-My mother has told me my grandmother has an intolerance to gluten, but has never been formally diagnosed.

Gosh, as I type all these out I know this has to be what's going on with me!

The odd thing is, I don't always have gastrointestinal pain or issues. I have the stomach pains in my right side frequently, but it's not like I am running to the restroom all the time or vomiting. I am constipated more than I have diarrhea usually. A lot of bloating. Lately I have been super nauseous a lot more than normal, but I am transitioning back to gluten free. At this point I am overwhelmed with how to make sure I am completely gluten free. I am doing my best, but learning each day.

Thanks for any replies.

[adab8ca]

hi there!

I had no gastro symptoms...I have neuropathy in my feet and hands (ingling, numbness and pain) that led me to a neurologist that let me to some testing for celiac. Nausea has been a big problem actually for most of my adult years but that was about it for stomach issues...

Can you get some blood tests done? It may help narrow down what is going on, although if you feel much better off gluten than on, I say go for it. I have been seeing a dietician that thinks if everyone ate a "celiac" diet, the planet would be a much healthier place w/o all the processed foods etc.

I am VERY new, I have had blood work that very strongly suggests celiac and am trying to decide whether to go for a biopsy, so I have no great advice, but with the hell i have gone through the last 6 months, I am actually realllllly hoping I have celiac disease!!!

[J&Lmomma]

hi there!

I had no gastro symptoms...I have neuropathy in my feet and hands (ingling, numbness and pain) that led me to a neurologist that let me to some testing for celiac. Nausea has been a big problem actually for most of my adult years but that was about it for stomach issues...

Can you get some blood tests done? It may help narrow down what is going on, although if you feel much better off gluten than on, I say go for it. I have been seeing a dietician that thinks if everyone ate a "celiac" diet, the planet would be a much healthier place w/o all the processed foods etc.

I am VERY new, I have had blood work that very strongly suggests celiac and am trying to decide whether to go for a biopsy, so I have no great advice, but with the hell i have gone through the last 6 months, I am actually realllllly hoping I have celiac disease!!!

THanks for your reply!! I was curious about the nausea since it seems to be something new these past few months.

[Marz]

Lots of good advice on this forum regarding going gluten free. The best way to start is to only eat whole foods for a few weeks, and then slowly introduce processed food that you know are "safe" from reading the labels. That way if you suddenly feel ill again, you know it's from some processed item you introduced. Starting with "whole" foods also allows you to quickly get gluten-free, while you're still learning what pitfalls to avoid!

Regarding nausea - yeeeesss, it's definately a symptom that I had before going gluten-free. As is acid reflux, GERD and other stomach-oriented complaints. Gluten can affect anything in your body. I never did link the nausea to eating bread, it was so completely random, but it went away after I went gluten free.

Also - some celiacs get constipation rather than diarrhea. Some people put *on* weight instead of losing weight when on gluten. Some people like the above poster just have neuro problems, no GIT symptoms. Some celiacs get tested because a close relative was diagnosed, and they are completely asymptomatic but have total villus atrophy.

[Marz]

-Irregular periods. What is strange is that every time I cut gluten out, my cycle will start almost 8 days later. Very odd. This has happened 3 times.

Yeah, this happened to me when I went gluten free, and I'm on the pill (And no, I'm not pregnant haha)!!