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

I'm So Sick Of This


ouchmyintestine

Recommended Posts

ouchmyintestine Newbie

I am a 25yo male with long standing digestive issues, i always just thought it was because i ate nothing but junk food, I never really brought me to my knees just occasional D, pale, floating stool and upper abdomen pain. About 6 weeks ago i awoke to the most painful feeling in my waist band area this pain was excruciating, I rushed to the ER had a CT scan of my abdomen with a barium swallow, and nothing came up,I asked repeatedly to be tested for celiac none of them knew what it was, then I was told my primary care would do that, I was told it was colitis and was given antibiotics and pain killers and sent home. A week later i was still not improving i suspected gluten as my brother was recently diagnosed with celiac. So I did the gluten free thing and was eating ok, then one night my intestines started spasming out control the pain goes from one side of my upper abdomen to the other, i went back to the ER and they were acting like i was looking for pain meds, they did nothing but put me on a stretcher in the hallway for 4 hours, then the nurse came over to talk to me about my marijuana use and how there's stuff being laced with crack going around, I looked at her like i was going to kill her and said GO AWAY NOW!!!!! She didnt and said i was going to listen. I was just being truthful when they asked about drug use i haven't used in 2 months btw. finally the doc came over and asked so what do you want me to do? I said I need help to figure this pain out, he prescribed me Zofran and Oxycontin and sent me home. The very next day I say my primary and she did a physical exam and bloodwork, she prescribed me omeprazole and set up an appointment with a GI doc, A few days after this my chest felt like there was a rock on it and something in my thought,along with the regular abdominal pain. Again back to the ER and had the works done to me to rule out my heart, again sent home, few nights later chest pain something in thought, back to the ER and nothing came up!! They told me it was an anxiety (YEAH anxiety from my dam stomach killing me),they told me the er is for emergency's only and i cant keep coming for non-emergency's. and told me to see my primary. The whole night i was having chills, shaking uncontrollably, hyperventilating, sweating right through my cloths, chest pain, something in thought, and the usual crippling abdominal pain. I sent up an appointment to see my doctor the very next day, when i got there i was sweating though my cloths, shaking, and hyperventilating. She said I have to go to the ER right NOW!!! WHAT THE HELLL, I told her NO they suck balls, right then my hands,feet, and abdomen curled right up and i couln't move the at all so she called 911 and an ambulance brought me to the er. Once again in the hallway for 4 hours half dead, they gave me Adivan and a prescription for adivan and sent me home, I have another appointment with my primary tomorrow and the GI on Wednesday, Ive been waiting 3 weeks for the dam GI its the longest 3 weeks of my life I really didn't think i would make it that long. So here I am I crippling abdominal pain all Drugged out on the stupid bad adivan, I've lost 100 lbs YES ONE HUNDRED POUNDS not on purpose. I cant eat anything at this point I feel like i am going to die, I am afraid to go to sleep. sorry for the rant i'm going to go curl up in a ball and die.


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Katie B Apprentice

Wow - I can sympathize - although my situation is somewhat different. Sounds like you could have a variety of things which only the GI doctor could diagnose. My GI told me if I had to go to the ER again and it was severe that I should ask for a GI consult (person on-call) because the ER doctors just don't know.

I've gone through several bouts of small intestine bacterial overgrowth, was prescribed antibiotics and then got c. difficile (from the antibiotics) - ended up in the hospital for a couple of weeks twice. So frustrating. Just when I think things are getting better they somehow get worse?!

Anyways, this is my pep talk. If you think something is seriously wrong then maybe try going back to the ER and asking for the consult.

What may help in the meantime is a low-residue diet that won't stress your intestines. I'm currently eating white rice (in 1/2 cup amounts spaced 2 hours apart), chicken, light fish, lactose-free milk (1/2 cup at a time and only 1 cup total per day), cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup zucchini, 1/2 cup sweet potato and I've found a supplement I can take called Vivonex T.E.N. It has all of the nutrients that you need to survive with 300 calories per package. I can't tolerate Boost or Ensure and this one is quickly absorbed in the intestine so if it's damaged it doesn't have to break down complex sugars (as found in Ensure). It doesn't taste good but it's not bad and if you've lost a lot of weight then that becomes a higher priority.

I'm working with a dietician to meet my caloric intake and how to space everything out so there isn't a huge load on the intestines. I'm also following a low FODMAP diet. All this means is small portions and spaced out timing of things that take longer to digest - such as rice and lactose-free milk. If you eat a huge portion of rice then it sits in your intestines (especially if they're damaged) and bacteria then has a party with it creating bloating, pain and damage. I tried the specific carbohydrate diet earlier and it worked but this time it didn't work and that's when I found out about fructose intolerance and all of these other fermentable foods. It's based on scientific studies done in Australia so it's not just a fad diet.

Anyways, I could go on and on if you want more info. on the diet then let me know but I suspect that seeing a GI will answer your questions.

Good luck and you're not alone! I'm off of antibiotics on Aug. 9 and am terrified about getting c. diff. again - it's too bad we can't control everything.

cassP Contributor

omg i feel so bad for u!!! too much pain & hours in the ER for anyone to deal with... i really hope your doctors visits this week give u answers and help!

anyways- i am NO doctor- but you need to make sure your GI runs a complete Celiac panel in addition to everything he does... especially if your brother has it!

let us know what happens... you're gonna be ok :)

Skylark Collaborator

OMG. That sounds awful. I hope your GI gets it sorted out. This sounds like more than just gluten, though with a celiac brother going off gluten was a good idea. Good luck.

ouchmyintestine Newbie

thanks guys

I just woke up and vomited a bunch of bile with a small amount of blood, its 4.39 am here and my stomach is killing me, i don't know what to do, I'm freaking out, i don't want to take an ativan to calm me down because my body is telling me something is obviously wrong this is NOT anxiety, I'm scared to go to the hospital this just sucks, i want to cry.

I'm going to call the hospital and see what they say.

cassP Contributor

thanks guys

I just woke up and vomited a bunch of bile with a small amount of blood, its 4.39 am here and my stomach is killing me, i don't know what to do, I'm freaking out, i don't want to take an ativan to calm me down because my body is telling me something is obviously wrong this is NOT anxiety, I'm scared to go to the hospital this just sucks, i want to cry.

I'm going to call the hospital and see what they say.

OMG- you definitely need superb medical care.... maybe you have a bleeding ulcer on top of everything else?? def. get to your GI SOON- they need to help you

maybe call your GI- see if they can take you before Wednesday!! im pretty sure throwing up blood warrants it.

Zeb Rookie

Is any of this related to some previous emotional condition you have? I'm just wondering. Your symptoms seem serious but it sounds like the problem cannot be diagnosed even though you've been to the er multiple times and visited your doctor and they can't find anything. A lot of it sounds like it's emotional-centered and your body is freaking out because of a serious emotional condition. Do you feel this may be what's going on?


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



ouchmyintestine Newbie

I'm not sure emotions could turn my stool every shade of the rainbow, or vomit blood. I think a lot of my emotions are being stirred up for sure and I did indeed have a panic attack in the doctors office,and i may be a bit neurotic. But I know something is really wrong with my GI. Emotions don't wake you up out of a sound sleep stabbing you in the gut. I had my primary visit yesterday, every thing went well, i will see the GI doctor for the first time tomorrow.

ouchmyintestine Newbie

forgot to add the doctor told me I had elevated protein in my urine?

Looking for answers Contributor

I'd say it's condition causing emotion and not the other way around. Demand to be thoroughly checked and don't let them discount it as an emotional issue. My uncle just had the same diagnosis "it's all in your head", "we've checked you up and down" and it turns out he has a tumor growing in his intenstine that didn't show up on the CT scan. Don't let them shrug you off.

ouchmyintestine Newbie

I saw the GI today, he wants to do a endoscopy and colonoscopy, its scheduled for next Friday,

I'm feeling better today, I haven't eaten much more than jello and white rice, my stool is still pale but at least its solid now and the anxiety isn't an issue....it seems when I'm in pain the anxiety is a level 10.

he asked me if i want to try eating gluten for the tests, but I'm not so sure i want to experience that kind of pain, i don't know if i have celiac or not but if there's even a chance of feeling like that there's no way............ I'm going to rule everything else out before i glutenise myself

  • 2 weeks later...
ouchmyintestine Newbie

I had the endoscope and colonoscopy done yesterday, they found I had Gastritis biopsied ,found congested mucosa in the sigmoid colon(nonspecific finding) this was biopsied, Diverticulosis in the ascending colon, the ileum, rectum decending colon,transverse colon ascending colon are normal looking, all were biopsied, normal looking duodenum biopsied and the z line was regular. Also my tonsils are enlarged for some reason maybe thats what was causeing the thought sensation.

My anxiety/ panic attacks have been a level 10, the doc put me on zyprexa and 1 mg of adivan

So I guess it will be a week or so of waiting for the results.

ravenwoodglass Mentor

I had the endoscope and colonoscopy done yesterday, they found I had Gastritis biopsied ,found congested mucosa in the sigmoid colon(nonspecific finding) this was biopsied, Diverticulosis in the ascending colon, the ileum, rectum decending colon,transverse colon ascending colon are normal looking, all were biopsied, normal looking duodenum biopsied and the z line was regular. Also my tonsils are enlarged for some reason maybe thats what was causeing the thought sensation.

My anxiety/ panic attacks have been a level 10, the doc put me on zyprexa and 1 mg of adivan

So I guess it will be a week or so of waiting for the results.

I am glad you got through everything okay. Keep in mind that any celiac testing will likely be negative if you have been gluten free. I hope the results of all the tests are good and that you are feeling better soon.

cassP Contributor

I had the endoscope and colonoscopy done yesterday, they found I had Gastritis biopsied ,found congested mucosa in the sigmoid colon(nonspecific finding) this was biopsied, Diverticulosis in the ascending colon, the ileum, rectum decending colon,transverse colon ascending colon are normal looking, all were biopsied, normal looking duodenum biopsied and the z line was regular. Also my tonsils are enlarged for some reason maybe thats what was causeing the thought sensation.

My anxiety/ panic attacks have been a level 10, the doc put me on zyprexa and 1 mg of adivan

So I guess it will be a week or so of waiting for the results.

WOW.. Diverticulosis/Diverticulitis? is a big deal- no wonder u feel the way u do- hope this alleviates some of your anxiety- u KNOW your body was telling u something- it's not "all in your head".

so glad u got those tests done....

we're waiting to hear about your biopsy

Marz Enthusiast

Ah geez, I don't know what to say to help, but I can definately sympathise. I really hope going gluten free will clear things up for you.

To share my experience, which sounds like it wasn't as bad as yours, but it truly felt like hell. I came down with a stomach bug or something, after a trip to Mozambique. Constant excruciating nausea, the big d, stomach pain and then to top it off panic attacks. Everything started pretty much out of the blue. I was terrified I had malaria, which didn't help the panic attacks.

Went to the ER in the middle of the night, and they tried to give me meds but nothing helped for the nausea. Tests came back negative for malaria. It lasted around a week of not being able to eat anything and feeling sick as a dog. Literally didn't sleep for several nights because of the endless discomfort.

Shew, anyway... after all that, it got a bit better. I was "only" suffering from nightly bouts of chills/fever and D. Doctors just thought I had a nasty bug (colitis) and prescribed antibiotics (which did help a bit, so it probably was a bug). I do believe gluten didn't help though. The endoscopy showed gastritis, colonoscopy was clear.

All symptoms went away after going gluten free (including nausea and the nightly fevers thank goodness). Hope that gives you some hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully you get some super antibiotics (if it's a bacterial infection) that sorts it out. Do keep on trying the gluten-free diet after getting tested for celiac, because with a brother with celiac there's a chance you could eventually develop it. Diverticulitis and microcolitus also is linked with gluten intolerance.

cassP Contributor

Marz:

it sounds to me like u had a virus or a parasite that triggered Celiac or gluten intolerance...

ravenwoodglass Mentor

I'm not sure emotions could turn my stool every shade of the rainbow, or vomit blood. I think a lot of my emotions are being stirred up for sure and I did indeed have a panic attack in the doctors office,and i may be a bit neurotic. But I know something is really wrong with my GI. Emotions don't wake you up out of a sound sleep stabbing you in the gut. I had my primary visit yesterday, every thing went well, i will see the GI doctor for the first time tomorrow.

Sorry I missed this before but your right emotional issues do not wake you up sick. Celiac can though as one of my GI pointed out. It can also mess with your brain chemistry. I do hope you continue on the diet. As I said in the previous post I am also glad the GI got you right in for a scope and hopefully now that they have seen that something really is going on they will be able to help you. Do stick with the diet and hang in there. I hope your feeling much better soon.

Archived

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


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,546
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    KimberlyAnne76
    Newest Member
    KimberlyAnne76
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Your post demonstrates the profound frustration and isolation that so many in the Celiac community feel, and I want to thank you for channeling that experience into advocacy. The medical gaslighting you endured for decades is an unacceptable and, sadly, a common story, and the fact that you now have to "school" your own GI specialist speaks volumes about the critical lack of consistent and updated education. Your idea to make Celiac Disease a reportable condition to public health authorities is a compelling and strategic one. This single action would force the system to formally acknowledge the prevalence and seriousness of the disease, creating a concrete dataset that could drive better research funding, shape medical school curricula, and validate the patient experience in a way that individual stories alone often cannot. It is an uphill battle, but contacting representatives, as you have done with Adam Gray, is exactly how change begins. By framing it as a public health necessity—a matter of patient safety and protection from misdiagnosis and neglect—you are building a powerful case. Your voice and your perseverance, forged through thirty years of struggle, are exactly what this community needs to ensure that no one else has to fight so hard just to be believed and properly cared for.
    • Scott Adams
      I had no idea there is a "Louisville" in Colorado!😉 I thought it was a typo because I always think of the Kentucky city--but good luck!
    • Scott Adams
      Navigating medication safety with Celiac disease can be incredibly stressful, especially when dealing with asthma and severe allergies on top of it. While I don't have personal experience with the HealthA2Z brand of cetirizine, your caution is absolutely warranted. The inactive ingredients in pills, known as excipients, are often where gluten can be hidden, and since the FDA does not require gluten-free labeling for prescription or over-the-counter drugs, the manufacturer's word is essential. The fact that you cannot get a clear answer from Allegiant Health is a significant red flag; a company that is confident its product is gluten-free will typically have a customer service protocol to answer that exact question. In situations like this, the safest course of action is to consider this product "guilty until proven innocent" and avoid it. A better alternative would be to ask your pharmacist or doctor to help you identify a major national brand of cetirizine (like Zyrtec) whose manufacturer has a verified, publicly stated gluten-free policy for that specific medication. It's not worth the risk to your health when reliable, verifiable options are almost certainly available to you. You can search this site for USA prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication: To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/   
    • Scott Adams
      What you're describing is indeed familiar to many in the Celiac community, especially in the early stages of healing. When the intestinal villi are damaged from Celiac disease, they struggle to properly digest and absorb fats, a condition known as bile acid malabsorption. This can cause exactly the kind of cramping and spasms you're seeing, as undigested fats can irritate the sensitive gut lining. It is highly plausible that her reactions to dairy and eggs are linked to their higher fat content rather than the proteins, especially since she tolerates lean chicken breast. The great news is that for many, this does improve with time. As her gut continues to heal on a strict gluten-free diet, her ability to produce the necessary enzymes and bile to break down fats should gradually return, allowing her to slowly tolerate a wider variety of foods. It's a slow process of healing, but your careful approach of focusing on low-fat, nutrient-dense foods like seeds and avocado is providing her system the best possible environment to recover. Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful: Thank you for sharing your story—it's a valuable insight for other parents navigating similar challenges.
    • Beverage
      I had a very rough month after diagnosis. No exaggeration, lost so much inflammatory weight, I looked like a bag of bones, underneath i had been literally starving to death. I did start feeling noticeably better after a month of very strict control of my kitchen and home. What are you eating for breakfast and lunch? I ignored my doc and ate oats, yes they were gluten free, but some brands are at the higher end of gluten free. Lots of celics can eat Bob's Red Mill gluten-free oats, but not me. I can now eat them, but they have to be grown and processed according to the "purity protocol" methods. I mail order them, Montana Gluten-Free brand. A food and symptoms and activities log can be helpful in tracking down issues. You might be totally aware, but I have to mention about the risk of airborne gluten. As the doc that diagnosed me warned . . Remember eyes, ears, nose, and mouth all lead to your stomach and intestines.  Are you getting any cross contamination? Airborne gluten? Any pets eating gluten (they eat it, lick themselves, you pet them...)? Any house remodeling? We live in an older home, always fixing something. I've gotten glutened from the dust from cutting into plaster walls, possibly also plywood (glues). The suggestions by many here on vitamin supplements also really helped me. I had some lingering allergies and asthma, which are now 99% gone. I was taking Albuterol inhaler every hour just to breathe, but thiamine in form of benfotiamine kicked that down to 1-2 times a day within a few days of starting it. Also, since cutting out inflammatory seed oils (canola, sunflower, grapeseed, etc) and cooking with real olive oil, avocado oil, ghee, and coconut oil, I have noticed even greater improvement overall and haven't used the inhaler in months! It takes time to weed out everything in your life that contains gluten, and it takes awhile to heal and rebuild your health. At first it's mentally exhausting, overwhelming, even obsessive, but it gets better and second nature.
×
×
  • 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.