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When A Loved One *might* Be Celiac

cdog7

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cdog7 Contributor
cdog7
Posted

I'm just wondering how far you should go to try to get someone you love tested, when you suspect they might be celiac, but their potential symptoms are not totally obvious.

I'm celiac and have been gluten-free for years, and while I'm all for spreading knowledge, I also don't want to become pushy or unrealistic, or impose my circumstances on others needlessly. My boyfriend's family has osteopenia, and he has psoriasis. I've seen him get stomach pains, or complain about feeling bloated after eating a sandwich, but he can always dismiss it as 'just gas'. He gets frustrated trying to find a treatment that will help his psoriasis, and of course I noticed the recently published study showing a genetic connection between psoriasis and celiac. I mentioned it to him, and he said he may try a gluten-free diet for a few days to see what happens. Which is great, but of course only if he's really following it, and not just 'cutting down' on gluten (which I imagine is tempting when you're uncertain it's a real problem).

He's very understanding and helpful with me, very careful and concerned about my getting glutened, but I know he really, really doesn't want to have the same diet! Just like me in the past, he loves beer, bread, pasta, all things gluten, and would happily eat them three meals a day (though he sacrifices it when we cook together at home). I guess my fear is that he has set out to rule out celiac, rather than really look into whether he has it. Because I know I was in denial before my symptoms got bad. I just want him to have a long, healthy life

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frieze Community Regular
frieze
Posted

I'm just wondering how far you should go to try to get someone you love tested, when you suspect they might be celiac, but their potential symptoms are not totally obvious.

I'm celiac and have been gluten-free for years, and while I'm all for spreading knowledge, I also don't want to become pushy or unrealistic, or impose my circumstances on others needlessly. My boyfriend's family has osteopenia, and he has psoriasis. I've seen him get stomach pains, or complain about feeling bloated after eating a sandwich, but he can always dismiss it as 'just gas'. He gets frustrated trying to find a treatment that will help his psoriasis, and of course I noticed the recently published study showing a genetic connection between psoriasis and celiac. I mentioned it to him, and he said he may try a gluten-free diet for a few days to see what happens. Which is great, but of course only if he's really following it, and not just 'cutting down' on gluten (which I imagine is tempting when you're uncertain it's a real problem).

He's very understanding and helpful with me, very careful and concerned about my getting glutened, but I know he really, really doesn't want to have the same diet! Just like me in the past, he loves beer, bread, pasta, all things gluten, and would happily eat them three meals a day (though he sacrifices it when we cook together at home). I guess my fear is that he has set out to rule out celiac, rather than really look into whether he has it. Because I know I was in denial before my symptoms got bad. I just want him to have a long, healthy life

sb2178 Enthusiast
sb2178
Posted

Yeah, I'd work on pushing for testing. I'm working on my Dad now-- mom's feeding him gluten-free food when she's home but then he goes and has a beer with dinner. *sigh* So neither potential bloodwork nor a diet trial would work now! I think I may give him the genetic test for Christmas, and then he can decide what to do from there. (No health insurance, or I'd give him a co-pay... or two.)

But there is a line between being too bossy and providing relevant information and support. I haven't crossed it, but to some extent I think that unless the person is miserable enough, most people won't do anything no matter how much information you provide. Depressing as it may be.

scarlett77 Apprentice
scarlett77
Posted

This hits home with me too. Our son is confirmed Celiac and looking at our family histories it could have come from either or both of us. Until recently I've thought it more than likely that he may have it and I'm pretty darned sure there are a few people in his family with severe stomach/bowel issues that have it. We did pass along the info to all the family when we got the results so that they can test if desired. Neither hubby or I have gotten tested yet due to financial reasons and lack of medical insurance. I would like for us both to get tested though. I suspect that he may be Celiac but I'm not ruling out myself. I don't know that even if he did test positive that he would strictly follow the diet 100% of the time. I made our home gluten free and since we are broke 9 times out of 10 we are eating a gluten free meal at home. At least I can control that aspect. But no matter how much I love him I can't MAKE him do anything.

As for me...I was eating gluten-free until recently. I went back to work full time and have had the occasional doughnut and have recently been eating cup o'noodles because it is a cheap lunch. I don't know if it is the salt content, stress, or what but I have noticed since doing this I am definitely more bloated and getting more headaches. Guess we won't know until I am able to get us tested.

cassP Contributor
cassP
Posted

OMG- i COMPLETELY relate... i have been obsessingly worried over my family- wanting them to get tested... problem is most of my family is pretty gluten free or gluten lite- so they would probably get false negatives. except my Dad- he STILL eats reg. pasta everyday- i want him to get a blood panel NOW while he's still eating enough gluten- but he's SO stubborn.. (and frankly my family is sick of hearing me go on about it)... but this upsets me so much-> my Dad has AT LEAST one DQ 8, and he's already had cancer AND an Angioplasty- Gluten could very well be the culprit- but he brushes me off.. and instead harrasses me that i need to get on a statin <_<

there's heart disease, gut issues, AND some dementia in my extended family- and it's so enraging that our health care system doesn't take this seriously :angry:

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