Just Had A Baby And I'm Getting Tested...

[Guest zipy]

Hi, this is my first post and I've been looking online at various sites for celiac disease and wheat intolerance. I had a baby three months ago and for the past 2 months I've had horrible diarrhea. I've gone to the Dr. twice. The first one gave me an antibiotic that didn't do much, but I only ate rice and potatoes for a week and started feeling better. The second Dr. ran a blood test specifically looking for a glutin intolerance. She also put me on antibiotics for Giarrdia (sp?). Well, I've gone back to the white rice diet and felt better for a few days so I started to eat normally and the last two days the diarrhea is back...accompanied by gas and bloating. This is crazy??!! I've never been sick like this. The more I think about it the more this glutin thing makes sense. So, my question, how long does it take to get the blood results back? How much glutin do you need to ingest to get a positive result for the blood tests? I was regulating my diet to a degree because of the diarrhea. I'm just a wiped out mom, the baby coupled with the summer heat (we live in phoenix) added to uncontrolled diarrhea is just killing me. I'm not eating well and everything is just adding up. To a point I'd be SOOO relieved if this was what it was because I could change my diet and get on with my life.

[KaitiUSA]

Testing you for a gluten intolerance would not have celiac show up. Celiac has a separate blood panel that needs to be done. You need to be eating gluten for about 3 months prior to testing to get accurate results.

[Jnkmnky]

Well, our blood tests came back in 6 days. So you shouldn't have to wait that long for them. In the meantime, since you've taken the blood test, you can begin eating a gluten free diet right now. Have you done enough research to know how much is available to you? Do you know what foods you can eat rather than lots of rice and potatoes? You need more than that in order to have enough energy for that new baby!! Here's a link to a post I did that listed many regular store items that are gluten free...

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I was listing foods you can find in a regular shopping store that are gluten free. This should get you off of the rice diet! There's also a forbidden and allowed list here at celiac.com that is essential for a beginner. You should print it out and take it shopping with you. Some people experience a temporary lactose intolerance initally, as well. You may want to lay off the dairy for a few weeks at the start up of the gluten free diet. You just don't know how damaged your villi are if you actually have Celiac Disease. Good luck!!

[Guest gfinnebraska]

After the birth of my second son I started getting sick all the time. I had NO clue what was wrong with me. I was always tired, sick, etc. I didn't find out the cause for a LONG time (he was born in 1986 ~ as you can see by my signature, it took a while for me to narrow it down!!). At least, if you do have celiac disease, you found it early!! That is great! I went through too many years of sickness and bad health ~ hopefully you can skip all that and go on to great health now.

[Guest zipy]

I just got off the phone with the Dr. , she diagnosed me positive with Celiac Disease, evidentally my numbers were way high. It just makes so much sense. I would eat rice for a while and start to feel better, then the next morning have a bowl of cheerios and feel like crap the rest of the day...wild wild wild. I'm going to have to POUR over this message board for info.

Thanks everyone,

Erin

[Guest gliX]

Hey zipy,

The blood tests do not confirm celiac disease. You would have to have an endoscopy to make sure. High numbers means it's likely you have the disease but not 100%. My brother had very high numbers on the blood test but after the endoscopy, it turned out he didn't have the disease. Nevertheless, it seems that many of your symptoms are found common with celiac disease. I would also have your child tested for the disease because it is hereditary.

[jknnej]

HI Erin!

I, too, live in Phoenix and have celiac disease. Do you have a good GI doctor? If not, I can give you the name of mine. It's always nice to meet friends that live in town!

[Guest zipy]

Thanks, I'll ask her on Thursday when I go for a follow-up!

[Guest nini]

glad to hear you have an answer. I've had symptoms all my life, but it seemed like the birth of my daughter 5 years ago, kicked the Celiac into overdrive and when she was 3, I was positively dx with Celiac via blood test AND positive dietary response. Some people will try to tell you that the endoscopy is necessary. This is not accurate. Depending on the sampling rate, if you are not gluten free when they do the biopsy, and IF you already have damage. NOT all celiacs have damage done to the intestine YET. Doesn't mean it won't happen, just everyone seems to respond differently to the effects of Gluten. What where once considered the classic presentation symptoms of Celiac, are no longer the only symptoms. Some people with Celiac don't have any symptoms YET.

There are some Dr.s that are still clinging to the notion that a biopsy is the only way to dx celiac. The current Celiac panel of blood tests available are very accurate at dx Celiac, so since your tests were positive, You most def. have Celiac. If your Dr. insists on a biopsy, remember it will not change the treatment. A lifelong adherence to a gluten free diet, and you've already seen a difference when you eliminate gluten containing foods from your diet.

Anyway, this site is full of valuable information , you will find all kinds of resources for recipes, dining out, and so on.

[Guest zipy]

HI Erin!

I, too, live in Phoenix and have celiac disease. Do you have a good GI doctor? If not, I can give you the name of mine. It's always nice to meet friends that live in town!

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I'd love to know the name of your Dr. We're in the middle of changing insurance carriers and as of next month I'll be able to be choose my referral Dr.s Is there a support group in the area? Where do you do your shopping? Questions, questions.

Erin

[jknnej]

Hi Erin,

My doctor's name is Greg Foutch at Mesa GI and his number is 480-461-1088. He's really good.

I shop at Whole Foods in Tempe, Aspire Market in Scottsdale, Henry's in Gilbert, and the Basha's near my house has a huge gluten-free section. They carry bagels, english muffins, bread, frozen meals, etc.

We can also eat out at Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, PF Chang's, Claim Jumper, Chili's and many more.

I live in Gilbert. I am not part of a support group in Phoenix but I do have the number for one...I'll have to find it, though. I find this board to be my support group! I like to go online, so it's best for me. But I'll find that number for you.

Where do you live? What do you do?

I'm a teacher; I will start teaching at Corona del Sol High School in August. That's in Tempe. I teach Choir and English.

Hope you're hanging in there!

Jennifer

[julie5914]

Yeah, you do not need an endoscopy necessarily, esp. since your blood tests were all high and pos. If your doctor diagnosed you and you know you feel better without gluten, you are good go full speed into the gluten-free diet.

[Guest zipy]

Jennifer,

I live in Tempe right across the street from ASU. I work part time from home for a small subcontracting company in Chandler. So, part time work, fulltime mom for my two kids. I'm starting my master's in Teaching English as a Second Language this fall at ASU, yipee, very excited about that. Sounds like we'll be shopping at a lot of the same stores and, eventually for me, have similar careers. What are the odds, huh?

Thanks for the Dr.s name!

Erin

[jknnej]

Wow, Erin, how funny!

I've been teaching for 6 years; choir and English, but I just switched schools.

Maybe when you start looking for teaching jobs I can help you out:) I've met a lot of people out here.

We should get together sometime! That would be fun!