Newbie

LRgirl · July 27, 2005

Hi,

I just wanted to say hi. I'm so glad I found this board! I may have celiac disease. I have been having the following symptoms: stomach bloating and terrible gas, fatigue,many skin problems such as rashes, dizziness, increased problems with my asthma and allergies, hair loss, and scalp pain. I was given a food allergy test . Gluten was one of the substances I was allergic to. There have been a couple of instances that make me feel as though I have celiac disease. A couple of months ago, I tried to eat a whole wheat pot pie. Well, within minutes, I was sneezing, itching all over, and my asthma was terrible! I have also tried a sample of brocolli salad. I started coughing, gasping for breath. It had vinagar in it.

I had some cake today and my stomach started to hurt and cramp. There are times when I have tried to eat certain types of bread, and my throat feels like it will close up.

I can't understand why I would eat something that will eventually do me harm? Is it psychological? I have really been having problems adjusting to this. Does this sound like celiac disease?

Thanks so much,

Traci

KaitiUSA · July 27, 2005

Celiac is not an allergy. Gas, bloating, fatigue sounds like celiac but your other symptoms like sneezing, feeling like your throat is going to close is a true allergic reaction and you shoud probably get checked for not only celiac but for allergies as well. If you have an allergy to it though then you need to avoid it.

Sometimes it's hard to get it into your mind that something you like can make you so sick but it's not worth it. It is a lot to adjust to.

LRgirl · July 28, 2005

KaitiUSA said:
Celiac is not an allergy. Gas, bloating, fatigue sounds like celiac but your other symptoms like sneezing, feeling like your throat is going to close is a true allergic reaction and you shoud probably get checked for not only celiac but for allergies as well. If you have an allergy to it though then you need to avoid it.
Sometimes it's hard to get it into your mind that something you like can make you so sick but it's not worth it. It is a lot to adjust to.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks so much!! I'm in the process of getting tested for food allergies. I hope to get some answers soon!

Jnkmnky · July 28, 2005

You need to get a specific test for Celiac. Who said you're allergic to gluten? Celiac disease is an intolerance to gluten, not an allergy. Whoever you're talking to about this, *I mean the drs involved*, need to be aware of the difference between an allergy and an intolerance and give you accurate advice, diagnosis, and testing to come to the correct conclusions so you can get healthy. Lots of drs make mistakes in the area of Celiac Disease.

Also, your symptoms of throat closing, difficulty breathing, are serious. Every time that happens, the event can worsen. You need to be careful. You will not build up a tolerance for that kind of reaction. Take care.

watkinson · July 28, 2005

Hi Traci,

Just wanted you to know, you can be both a celiac and allergic to wheat at the same time. Like everyone else said, the symptoms of sneezing, itching, and your throat closing are definatley an allergic reation, but a Celiac reaction can be totally different. Celiacs is an autoimmune disease. When gluten is injested you immune system sets off on an attack and does damage to the body resulting in all kinds of problems.

Be sure you see an endocrinologist and an allergist.

hope you feel better soon, Wendy

KaitiUSA · July 28, 2005

Yes, there is a good chance you could be both. I have celiac and a severe allergy to wheat. As suggested, you not only need allergy testing but you need a specific celiac test because celiac is not an allergy.

LRgirl · July 29, 2005

KaitiUSA said:
Yes, there is a good chance you could be both. I have celiac and a severe allergy to wheat. As suggested, you not only need allergy testing but you need a specific celiac test because celiac is not an allergy.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah,I was tested, but the result was a very low response to gluten. But with these symptoms,that got me thinking maybe something else is going on. Thanks again everyone! It really helps to talk about this!

KaitiUSA · July 29, 2005

Were you tested for a specific celiac panel or a gluten allergy? They are 2 different things. Celiac will not be picked up in any other testing even if its for gluten. It will only be picked up in the celiac panel.

LRgirl · July 29, 2005

KaitiUSA said:
Were you tested for a specific celiac panel or a gluten allergy? They are 2 different things. Celiac will not be picked up in any other testing even if its for gluten. It will only be picked up in the celiac panel.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was just tested for the gluten allergy. I found out about celiac disease by accident. I was on the internet and searched on Gluten intolerance.celiac disease was one of the search results.