I Do And A I Don't!

[Shashi]

For some reason, I can't seem to motivate myself to call and make an appointment with my GI doctor. My PCP wanted me to go after one of the elements on my Celiac test came back borderline deficient, and given my symptoms, I know I should, but I just can't seem to do it. I don't know if I'm afraid of finding out, or if I'm hoping that maybe all the problems I've been having will just go away and that I'm really okay (denial?) or what. But I've been putting it off since just before Christmas now.

I had a bout of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea again this past Friday, but I also had a fever with it, so I'm thinking it's just the local stomach bug. (Do you ever get a fever with tummy upset with Celiac?) What happens if I don't ever do anything about this? I've been to so many doctors over the last five years trying to get answers for the neurological symptoms, muscle pain, fatigue, etc. that my doctors thought was MS, and I think part of the problem is that I'm so tired of doctors and tests that come back negative! I guess I'm afraid that it'll just be another waste of time and money and that I still won't get any answers. Can anyone relate?

NOTE ADDED AFTER POSTING: I just called and made an appointment for February 1. I guess I just needed to get my resolve up and posting this must have helped.

[beefree11]

Hi. I wouldn't necessarily claim

one of the elements on my Celiac test came back borderline deficient

a waste of time or money just yet. It's can be a long process with many dead ends. But until you are satisfied and feel well, don't give up.

Any type of digestive problems that begin to affect your life needs to be looked into. In my case, I was tested for ulcers, gallbladder, IBS, GERD and found to have them all to some extent but no food allergies were ever considered, so never tested. This was a few years ago. Today I would INSIST on allergy tests, and blood work ups first. If you are eating something that is causing upset and inflammation, you very well may have a slight infection. Did any blood work suggest that to your doctor?

In my house, with all the thyroid issues, we'd be grateful just to have a normal reading of a thermometer. We just can't get past 97 degrees. Any thing above that, we consider a fever, but docs do not. So, a definite "who knows" to a fever with Celiac. Daughter has had a 99 with her stomach issues (gluten intolerant), but doc said, no. That's not a fever. ok....

I would suggest to you to just go talk to the doctor. Who wants to vomit and have diarrhea issues, when there are diets, meds and things you can do to alleviate them? And in some cases some tests come back negative when actually there IS a problem. Maybe a different lab? They all handle things differently and have different ways to read numbers. just a thought.

Have you been tested for anemia? Has your iron/Ferritin been tested lately? Vit d? B12? Allergies? Epstein Barr? Have had mono? A FULL thyroid blood work up? Stool been tested?

Don't let anyone make you feel your symptoms dont deserve attention. Doctors give up because they just don't know. With my daughter I spent so many hours on medical web sites and even ordered blood tests for her to have results before a doctor even began to take her multitude of symptoms seriously. But she went through some horrific days before finding out how sick she was. Hope you get answers soon and start feeling better.

ETA: An appt! That's great. Good luck to you.