My Story And Celiacs

[UpbeatPete]

Hi everyone,

I have been reading many of your posts for the last couple of days and I feel very sorry that it took so many of you so long to discover what was wrong. I can understand what some of you have went through with the frequent doctors visits and their blatant disregard for what I was feeling (some are more willing to listen, especially the one I am with now).

Currently a Senior in College and started feeling sick 1st semester Sophmore year (A little over 2 and a half years)

I have been dealing with different symptoms, all worsening over time and was wondering if they sound like Celiac symptoms?

Constant Pressure on my head (feels like I have a vice grip on my head; sometimes are migraines)

Low potassium (On medication for that, potassium and a potassium sparing diuretic)

Constant and excessive fatigue

Incredibly tired (Many days I could sleep for 10 hours and will take a 3 or 4 hour nap.) I never feel rested and always think about the next time I can crawl into bed.

Brain fog all the time (get's really bad after eating)

Inability to pay attention, which was never really a problem, especially when watching sports

light sensitivity; when it is sunny my head pounds

Muscles feel incredibly week

Memory continues to get weaker (memorization was once my strongest asset)

I feel drunk or buzzed after eating. It is really bad when I go out to eat (Qdoba is killer)

Sometimes deal with constipation

So tired I never want to spend time with friends and go out

Very irratible and easily annoyed

Trying to read has almost become over whelming, it is like sensory overload.

Do my sypmtoms sound like Celiac Disease?

I was once really active, running or playing basketball almost everyday. No, I can hardly get up and go for a walk.

[Marilyn R]

Hi Pete!

Thank you for sharing your experience. Are you living on or off campus?

At first it seems pretty overwhelming to go gluten-free, and you'll miss certain foods, but it's so worth it to finally know, and be able to eat foods that won't hurt you. And the gluten-free diet gets easier!

Did the rest of your first degree relatives get tested? (I'm curious because I'm one of five children, and so far I'm the only one that is symptomatic, but I worry about my brothers and sisters, and their children and grandchildren. My brothers seem to think it's something that only happens to women (my mother carried the genes).

Good luck, and good health to you! Your energy will return, and you'll feel more like youself again. And good luck with finals!

[UpbeatPete]

Thanks for the reply Marilyn.

I should have been more clear with my title; I have not be diagnosed yet I was wondering if my symptoms sounded like Celiac?

[mushroom]

Hi everyone,

I have been reading many of your posts for the last couple of days and I feel very sorry that it took so many of you so long to discover what was wrong. I can understand what some of you have went through with the frequent doctors visits and their blatant disregard for what I was feeling (some are more willing to listen, especially the one I am with now).

Currently a Senior in College and started feeling sick 1st semester Sophmore year (A little over 2 and a half years)

I have been dealing with different symptoms, all worsening over time and was wondering if they sound like Celiac symptoms?

Constant Pressure on my head (feels like I have a vice grip on my head; sometimes are migraines)

Low potassium (On medication for that, potassium and a potassium sparing diuretic)

Constant and excessive fatigue

Incredibly tired (Many days I could sleep for 10 hours and will take a 3 or 4 hour nap.) I never feel rested and always think about the next time I can crawl into bed.

Brain fog all the time (get's really bad after eating)

Inability to pay attention, which was never really a problem, especially when watching sports

light sensitivity; when it is sunny my head pounds

Muscles feel incredibly week

Memory continues to get weaker (memorization was once my strongest asset)

I feel drunk or buzzed after eating. It is really bad when I go out to eat (Qdoba is killer)

Sometimes deal with constipation

So tired I never want to spend time with friends and go out

Very irratible and easily annoyed

Trying to read has almost become over whelming, it is like sensory overload.

Do my sypmtoms sound like Celiac Disease?

I was once really active, running or playing basketball almost everyday. No, I can hardly get up and go for a walk.

Hello, and welcome.

I have highlighted the symptoms you list which are most commonly associated with celiac; not to say that the others are not, however. Also, there is a general nutrient deficiency with the disease, although the low potassium could be related to the diuretic, even though it is potassium sparing. I would think it definitely warrants being tested for celiac because there is such a wide variety of symptomatology. Some people have mainly GI symptoms, some have mainly neurological symptoms, some are silent with no symptoms of any kind.

[UpbeatPete]

As of last month my potassium was nearly up to a normal level and my kidney Doctor had being saying once we got it up I would feel much better.

So far not the case (Also, other people that have this low of potassium do not show near the fatique, headaches, and brain fog I do and that is why I believe the potassium is a red herring.?

[mushroom]

I had very low potassium last year that I was totally unaware of, so low that my heart went into atrial fibrillation, and I was otherwise symptomless, so I think you could be right.

[UpbeatPete]

Looking at your sig, you were already gluten free at that point? My kidney doctor thought and still thinks I have Gitelman's syndrome. However, I believe differently because only my potassium is low; Gitelman's sufferers have low sodium, magnesium, potassium, and chloride.