Help, Reassurance, Something.

[Lorella]

From roughly the end of Feb 2011 I started on stomach cramps, diahorea pretty much after every meal, bloated to the point my jeans wouldn't do up, sick and extreme fatigue. Great 21st birthday present. I went to my doctors mid March, he decided I needed bloods running for celiac.

At the end of March I was hospitalized for dehydration, was at the point where they were trying to put IV fluids in and my veins were just collapsing. Was told a million different things, from it being my gall bladder, UTI, food poisoning, the works.

The celiac tests came back negative. But nothing has changed, now I'm being told its IBS with a senstivity to gluten/wheat.

Symptoms haven't changed however, I'm now scared to eat, have lost around 5 kilos in a few weeks and all I want to do in sleep. A few days ago I lost complete control of my bowels which worried me. I went back to my doctors and I'm now being tested again for celiac/chroms/anemia and some other bits and bobs.

I'm scared, I don't know anyone else like this, the cramps hurt so much and because of all this I've had to take time off my new job. I feel so depressed, sleeping for sometimes 17 hours because I just feel exhausted.

I do have an appointment with a surgeon in June, but I hope they can shed some light on this before then.

Can I eat/take/drink anything to ease the cramps/bloating/sickness/indigestion? Can I take anything to boost my energy levels and make me feel more human? I feel like I'm not here anymore.

[shadowicewolf]

Hun, you need to eat something endless cycle and all of that.

Stick with all natural things:

Sweet potatos

Carrots

Veggies in genral (all cooked, raw will kill your system trust me)

Drink lots of water to 'flush' out your system. Stay away from all things processed.

I understand. I have celiac and am currently experiencing something similar. It sucks BUT! I will say going gluten free has helped. Perhaps trying that would help you too.

Also, it may be a good idea to look into a new doctor, different views ya know?

[TheSword]

I agree, stick to a strict veggie and meat diet, at the very least cut out all gluten and dairy, and see how you are in a few days, I had near immediate relief when I changed my diet, in 2 days all my bloating, IBS, indigestion, diarrhoea disappeared.

[rgarton]

I found eating plain boiled rice, (I know boring but sensitive on the stomach and bulks up stools!) occasionally with leeks as a main meal and eating bananas is also soothing on the stomach and can help prevent diarrhea. Also sipping plain black tea with some sugar helps ease the nausea. Like shadowicewolf said drink lots of water keep you hydrated.

I wouldn't rule out celiac disease, my mum got 4 negative blood tests and finally went for a biopsy and got a positive result. I also got told i had panic/anxiety induced IBS for 2 years before finding out i was celiac just because i didn't push it any further, finally i did last december and got diagnosed in january.

As for the cramps, use some rose essential massage oil and rub your tummy gently clockwise and hot water bottles! The rose helps calm you down and helps ease the inflammation.

I really do feel for you and i would push for a biopsy for asap! Just demand one! Good luck. x

[Lorella]

Hun, you need to eat something endless cycle and all of that.

Stick with all natural things:

Sweet potatos

Carrots

Veggies in genral (all cooked, raw will kill your system trust me)

Drink lots of water to 'flush' out your system. Stay away from all things processed.

I understand. I have celiac and am currently experiencing something similar. It sucks BUT! I will say going gluten free has helped. Perhaps trying that would help you too.

Also, it may be a good idea to look into a new doctor, different views ya know?

Hey

Yeah I have been eating gluten free but I'm not entirely convinced it's JUST gluten/wheat thats giving me issues.

I'd never thought of trying another doctor, maybe thats something I'll have to look into doing tbh.

Thanks

[Medusa]

My whole family do dramatically better on gluten free food, but all of us have had negative tests at some time. The tests just aren't that reliable, yet people put such great faith in them! I feel quite strongly that the most reliable test is going properly gluten free for a while and seeing if it helps - it may take some time to feel better if the damage to your system is severe, so hang in there.

Gluten intolerance appears to be strongly genetically linked, try asking for the genetic testing. My daughters and I have the genetic predisposition for gluten intolerance, so we get a bit more respect from the medics even if our bodies won't cooperate and give a nice positive result all the time on their other tests!

You mention you have a new job - stress makes everything worse, especially conditions like celiac. Stressful events can even trigger the onset of celiac in susceptible people. My daughter started getting problems with her stomach when she was getting bullied at school. Coincidence? Try and find ways to lower your stress levels which work for you. (I'm a yoga nut!) I know it's not easy when you are feeling so ill.

I second the idea of finding another doctor. We got nowhere until we found a sympathetic doctor. They can't be specialists on everything, but even so it's alarming how little many of them know about celiac.

I was really ill when I was pregnant with my first child. When I got really dehydrated I used the reydration mix they sell at the pharmacy for kids with diarrhea. A teaspoon of sugar and a pinch of salt in a glass of warm water works just as well. For some reason it's easier for your body to absorb than water by itself. Arrowroot powder cooked into a runny sauce with water stayed down too, though the flavour leaves room for improvement! Rice water works too.

Good luck!