Lots Of Questions...

[Sharon LaCouture]

Hi Group...

My name is Sharon. I am 52 years old and started exhibiting celiac symptoms within the past 6 months...well, probably a lot longer than that but seriously bothersome in the past 6 months.

I always had problems with constipation, attributed it to a slow metabolism.

Recently, my intestinal grief has been overwhelming. Within an hour of eating a meal I am passing it [at times, sometimes I get a few hours] and it doesn't seem to matter what I eat. I have tried eliminating dairy, I had minimal improvement because I was still eating whole grains, breaded foods etc.

I try to eat salad a lot, with chicken or fish.

My other issue is that I have type 2 diabetes, so I have to manage my diet to control my blood sugar.

Thirdly, I am a cancer survivor. Stage 3 squamous cell carcinoma in 2004. [it's a form of skin cancer] and I have grave concerns about celiac leading to lymphoma.

I also already have bone health issues. I have had Lyme Disease since 1993 and Lyme arthritis as a result. In January 2010 I had complete double knee replacement surgery. So I am concerned with the osteoporosis aspect, given my history and my age.

I'm a mad mess...I am.

I am curious about testing. Can celiac be determined with blood tests alone or must I endure another colonoscopy or other invasive testing? The barium enema was a trip, the chalky substance leaked all over and I was treated to a vigorous toweling off by two attendants and still had to undergo the test. The colonoscopy is not a treat either, I have a twisted intestine and they can never finish the exam.

I have had several colon polyps removed over the years since my cancer diagnosis/treatment.

I have a sister who has Chron's and another who has diverticulitis.

I have called my primary to set up an appointment with my gastro doctor.

Also, as far as dietary supplements go, I do not tolerate vitamins very well.

I am concerned that I am not getting enough nutrients from the food I am eating.

Is it possible to get monthly or bi-monthly injections of vitamins from my doctor rather than eating a fistful of horse pills every day?

I'll thank you for your input in advance. I appreciate any information any of you would like to share.

Thanks

~Sharon

[Skylark]

The "gold standard" for celiac diagnosis is positive blood and biopsy. However, they always start with blood tests. If the blood test is positive you can decline the biopsy. It would confirm the diagnosis but it's not strictly necessary unless you need it to convince yourself about sticking to a strict gluten-free diet.

The blood tests are only positive in 70-80% of celiacs and do not detect gluten intolerance at all, so you might want to try the diet on your own. Don't start eating gluten-free until after your celiac panel because the antibodies will go away and the blood test will come up false negative.

[pain*in*my*gut]

Hi Group...

My name is Sharon. I am 52 years old and started exhibiting celiac symptoms within the past 6 months...well, probably a lot longer than that but seriously bothersome in the past 6 months.

I always had problems with constipation, attributed it to a slow metabolism.

Recently, my intestinal grief has been overwhelming. Within an hour of eating a meal I am passing it [at times, sometimes I get a few hours] and it doesn't seem to matter what I eat. I have tried eliminating dairy, I had minimal improvement because I was still eating whole grains, breaded foods etc.

I try to eat salad a lot, with chicken or fish.

My other issue is that I have type 2 diabetes, so I have to manage my diet to control my blood sugar.

Thirdly, I am a cancer survivor. Stage 3 squamous cell carcinoma in 2004. [it's a form of skin cancer] and I have grave concerns about celiac leading to lymphoma.

I also already have bone health issues. I have had Lyme Disease since 1993 and Lyme arthritis as a result. In January 2010 I had complete double knee replacement surgery. So I am concerned with the osteoporosis aspect, given my history and my age.

I'm a mad mess...I am.

I am curious about testing. Can celiac be determined with blood tests alone or must I endure another colonoscopy or other invasive testing? The barium enema was a trip, the chalky substance leaked all over and I was treated to a vigorous toweling off by two attendants and still had to undergo the test. The colonoscopy is not a treat either, I have a twisted intestine and they can never finish the exam.

I have had several colon polyps removed over the years since my cancer diagnosis/treatment.

I have a sister who has Chron's and another who has diverticulitis.

I have called my primary to set up an appointment with my gastro doctor.

Also, as far as dietary supplements go, I do not tolerate vitamins very well.

I am concerned that I am not getting enough nutrients from the food I am eating.

Is it possible to get monthly or bi-monthly injections of vitamins from my doctor rather than eating a fistful of horse pills every day?

I'll thank you for your input in advance. I appreciate any information any of you would like to share.

Thanks

~Sharon

Hi Sharon! If your blood tests are positive, most docs will want to do a scope for a "proper" dx. It's not a colonoscopy, but rather an endoscopy (they put a tube down your throat, insted of the other end, and take samples of your small intestines). It is much easier than a colonoscopy. But it is totally up to you if you want to do it or not.

This is probably TMI, but I had a barium enema 4 years ago to dx a bowel obstruction, and it was one of the WORST experiences ever. I can relate to the "vigorous toweling off", in fact the poor techs who were doing the test needed a toweling off as well. It was horrible.

The endoscope is a piece of cake compared to that test!!!

I was wondering about the vitamin shots/infusions as well. I cannot tolerate oral vitamins (especially vit D), and I know I am low. Maybe somebody else will come along and have some info about that.

Welcome to the group!

[Sharon LaCouture]

Hi... Thanks for the responses I got. I saw my primary Friday and he ordered blood work and is setting up an appointment for an abdominal ultrasound. I had already seen my gyno-oncologist last month and had a pelvic ultrasound to rule out ovarian cancer or any other gynecological problems. Everything came back clear [although my primary read their report and told me I have a benign tumor in my cervix but at my age [52] it's nothing to worry about]??

My primary is a bit concerned with my gallbladder at this early stage because I complained of a painful area that tightens at my upper right abdomen near my ribs.

So I went and had the blood work done early this morning and now I get to wait and see.

Sharon

Hi Sharon! If your blood tests are positive, most docs will want to do a scope for a "proper" dx. It's not a colonoscopy, but rather an endoscopy (they put a tube down your throat, insted of the other end, and take samples of your small intestines). It is much easier than a colonoscopy. But it is totally up to you if you want to do it or not.

This is probably TMI, but I had a barium enema 4 years ago to dx a bowel obstruction, and it was one of the WORST experiences ever. I can relate to the "vigorous toweling off", in fact the poor techs who were doing the test needed a toweling off as well. It was horrible.

The endoscope is a piece of cake compared to that test!!!

I was wondering about the vitamin shots/infusions as well. I cannot tolerate oral vitamins (especially vit D), and I know I am low. Maybe somebody else will come along and have some info about that.

Welcome to the group!