Could These Be Symptoms Of Celiac?

[Nami]

Hi, I am new to the forum here and have a few questions.

For quiet a long time I have always had problems with bad cramping (since I was a teenager, I am 39 now) Over the past two years this seems to have gotten worse. Over the past month I have been having constipation problems, I wont be able to go for 5-6 days, when I do go its a all day process, with severe cramping (to the point of almost passing out) and diarrhea. I have tried alot of things, metamucil, probiotics, yogurt etc. I decided to try the gluten free diet. I have been on the diet now for 3 weeks.

I was doing ok, I was not cramping as much. I still had some problems with constipation but took something for it.

This past weekend I had the worst episode that I have ever had. I was back and forth to the bathroom for over 8 hours. I finally got some sleep, when I woke up the next morning I was still cramping went to the bathroom and had diarrhea. When I looked in the toilet I noticed what appeared to be a blood clot with bright red blood around it. This scared the hell out of me and I went to the ER. The doctors there told me it looks like I have IBS, sent me home with a bentyl prescription for cramps (which by the way gave me panic attacks) and told me to see a GI.

Before this episode started I had eaten some soup with chicpeas in it. I don't know if they were CC with gluten. But when actually the cramps started is when I was cooking some ramen noodles for my daughter. I had went to go strain the noodles and the steam hit me in my face, this is when my cramping started and it went all down hill from there.

Can you get gluten from noodle steam? (sorry, may sound wierd?)

Does it sound possible that I may have Celiac? or does it sound like IBS.

Being off the gluten has made me feel a bit better, but I now have symptoms of being dizzy and not being able to focus well.

I have a doctors appt next week with a GI.

Is there any specific tests that I should ask for?

Thank you for any advice or input that you can give.

[beebs]

Hi, I am new to the forum here and have a few questions.

For quiet a long time I have always had problems with bad cramping (since I was a teenager, I am 39 now) Over the past two years this seems to have gotten worse. Over the past month I have been having constipation problems, I wont be able to go for 5-6 days, when I do go its a all day process, with severe cramping (to the point of almost passing out) and diarrhea. I have tried alot of things, metamucil, probiotics, yogurt etc. I decided to try the gluten free diet. I have been on the diet now for 3 weeks.

I was doing ok, I was not cramping as much. I still had some problems with constipation but took something for it.

This past weekend I had the worst episode that I have ever had. I was back and forth to the bathroom for over 8 hours. I finally got some sleep, when I woke up the next morning I was still cramping went to the bathroom and had diarrhea. When I looked in the toilet I noticed what appeared to be a blood clot with bright red blood around it. This scared the hell out of me and I went to the ER. The doctors there told me it looks like I have IBS, sent me home with a bentyl prescription for cramps (which by the way gave me panic attacks) and told me to see a GI.

Before this episode started I had eaten some soup with chicpeas in it. I don't know if they were CC with gluten. But when actually the cramps started is when I was cooking some ramen noodles for my daughter. I had went to go strain the noodles and the steam hit me in my face, this is when my cramping started and it went all down hill from there.

Can you get gluten from noodle steam? (sorry, may sound wierd?)

Does it sound possible that I may have Celiac? or does it sound like IBS.

Being off the gluten has made me feel a bit better, but I now have symptoms of being dizzy and not being able to focus well.

I have a doctors appt next week with a GI.

Is there any specific tests that I should ask for?

Thank you for any advice or input that you can give.

Your symptoms absolutely could be celiac. Are you in the states or somewhere else? The reason I ask is because over here in Oz you can get the genes test bulk billed but you can't in the states and I believe its very pricey.

Do you actually eat gluten? If you don't the tests will come back negative regardless of if you are Celiac if you are gluten free.

So ask for a celiac panel, genes test depending on where you are, plus ask for Full blood count, vitamin B12, vitamin D, zinc etc. These were all out of whack with my family before they were diagnosed!

Blood in the stool can also be a symptoms of Crohn's. So make sure you mention it to the Dr.

I'm sure I have forgotten something but the others will be on to tell you what else to do..

[ravenwoodglass]

First if you have been on the diet for 3 weeks you would need to go back on gluten for a bit to get tested. Many of us become more sensitive after we have gone gluten free and the symptoms become worse when we get CC'd. That is a good sign that the diet is what you need. CC can come from a variety of places in a mixed household, shared toaster, condiments, nut butters, handling gluten foods and then our food without washing our hands first is also enough to get us.

The best test is how we respond on the diet and how we react when gluten sneaks in. Whether gluten is an issue for you I can't say for sure but it does sound like your in the right place.

[Nami]

@Beebs

I am in the states. I have not eaten anything with gluten in it for 3 weeks or at least that I am aware of. There are 5 other people in the house who eat gluten, so the house/kitchen is not gluten free. I will be sure to mention the blood to the doctor. Although at the ER this did not seem to concern them (go figure).

@ravenwoodglass

I am really afraid to go back on the gluten. If it is absolutely necessary I will go back to eating it and hope that I don't end up back at the ER. My symptoms were already severe before I stopped the gluten, if being off it and then going back on it makes it worse, then that is definitely a scary thought.

[beebs]

@Beebs

I am in the states. I have not eaten anything with gluten in it for 3 weeks or at least that I am aware of. There are 5 other people in the house who eat gluten, so the house/kitchen is not gluten free. I will be sure to mention the blood to the doctor. Although at the ER this did not seem to concern them (go figure).

@ravenwoodglass

I am really afraid to go back on the gluten. If it is absolutely necessary I will go back to eating it and hope that I don't end up back at the ER. My symptoms were already severe before I stopped the gluten, if being off it and then going back on it makes it worse, then that is definitely a scary thought.

My symptoms escalated badly when I went of gluten and then 6 weeks later ate gluten again. I ended up in emergency and now there is just no way I can do the challenge. Its up to you if you feel like you need a diagnosis or not? Your really need to be eating gluten to be tested - otherwise you'll never really know anyway? Was it negative because you aren't celiac or because you weren't eating gluten? Its a tough place you are in - me personally wish I had of been tested while eating gluten. I just thought I'd do a gluten challenge and was quite looking forward to eating KFC - hahah! Funny - didn't even eat it when I ate gluten - but now I can't have it I really want it! Anyway - that is not an option for me as my reactions are severe.

Good luck!

[Bubba's Mom]

If you passed a clot and some bright red blood, that would indicate it came from the colon or rectum(lower part of the intestines). You could have a hemmorhoid, or you could have a couple of other issues going on. (Crohn's, diverticulitis,polyp, or an AVM [bleeding vein])from going to the bathroom a lot or straining to go.

Don't panic, but go to your Dr. and tell him all of your symptoms. Sometimes it helps to write everything down so you don't forget when you talk to the Doc.

[Nami]

If you passed a clot and some bright red blood, that would indicate it came from the colon or rectum(lower part of the intestines). You could have a hemmorhoid, or you could have a couple of other issues going on. (Crohn's, diverticulitis,polyp, or an AVM [bleeding vein])from going to the bathroom a lot or straining to go.

Don't panic, but go to your Dr. and tell him all of your symptoms. Sometimes it helps to write everything down so you don't forget when you talk to the Doc.

Thank you for your input. After reading your reply I did some research. It seems like my symptoms may be more closely related to Chrons. I wonder though if there still may be some type of gluten intolerance as well. I guess I will find out soon enough. The not knowing is killing me.

[beebs]

Apparently some people with crohn's do improve on a gluten free diet. So best to get a GI asap.....good luck I hope its not that!