Feeling Overwhelmed

[Raulny]

I recently had a positive blood test result and I am awaiting my biopsy results. I have spent the last month cursing my GI doctor for making me wait a month for an endoscopy. He wanted me to have a colonoscopy first then the endoscopy. Part of the problem was that I have never eaten a lot of gluten, maybe three pieces of bread a week or less, so my first blood test came back a weak positive 25 on the Gliadian AB IGA test. Then I had the colonoscopy and another blood test, this time the Gliadian AB IGA test came back a strong positive +41 but the other three tests came back negative. I ate one piece of bread a day. Anyhow, my symptoms have gotten worse everyday, at first it was bloating and a lot of gas, and then constipation interrupted by diarrhea, then diarrhea all day and at night. I have had lower body aches, congestion, dizziness, and lots of hunger, slight vomiting, stomach ach, and fatigue. These symptoms seemed worse when I had lamb or other red meats. Originally I went to my doctor because I was having constipation and sudden diarrhea attacks (running to the bathroom events).

It seems to me that I have a gluten intolerance and maybe celiac disease. In any case I pretty much have decided that I am giving up gluten. I have few questions, first I am worried that maybe I may have some other problem and second, I went today to Whole Foods and although I found gluten free foods, I had hard time finding things I liked. I am also lactose intolerant (self diagnosed) and after reading some of the posts I am wondering if I should get a milk allergy test. Another question I have is that I noticed that labeling is not consistent. Since my biopsy I have stopped eating gluten I feel slightly better. Feeling overwhelmed.

[KaitiUSA]

Sounds like gluten is an issue for you.

I had the same problem as you at first. There was a lot of crappy tasting gluten free stuff and I was like o great I am going to have to eat this my whole life.

After a while, you will learn there are alot of good gluten free brands that are good it is just a matter of finding them. This site will definitely help you out on things to try.

Here are a few great tasting gluten free foods:

-Tinkyada pasta is loved by an overwhelming majority of people. It tastes normal

-Wellshire Farms Chicken Bites-fully breaded and taste like normal ones if you ask me

-Foods By George cinnamon english muffins

-Cybros rice rolls

-Kinnikinnick donuts/breads

Believe it or not we can also have alot of mainstream brands of food still. There is a list of brands that will list wheat,rye,barley,oats on the label or they will be safe-they do not hide anything even under otherwise questionable ingredients. This saves us a lot of time since alot of ingredients can hide gluten.

Also, the list of safe and forbidden ingredients and foods would help you. Here is the link if you do not have it. https://www.celiac.com/st_main.html?p_catid=12

Feel free to email me if you need any help... I am sure this site will give you tons of info. People on here are so supportive and knowledgable. It definitely gets easier as you go and it will become a normal way of life.

Also, a biopsy can rule celiac in but can not rule it out. The doctor could miss damage if it is sporadic or there may be no damage yet if its in beginning stages. So you may still have it even if the biopsy shows negative.

[Raulny]

Thank you for all your advice. I think I was having a little breakdown. I will use all your information.

[nettiebeads]

It seems to me that I have a gluten intolerance and maybe celiac disease. In any case I pretty much have decided that I am giving up gluten. I have few questions, first I am worried that maybe I may have some other problem and second, I went today to Whole Foods and although I found gluten free foods, I had hard time finding things I liked. I am also lactose intolerant (self diagnosed) and after reading some of the posts I am wondering if I should get a milk allergy test. Another question I have is that I noticed that labeling is not consistent. Since my biopsy I have stopped eating gluten I feel slightly better. Feeling overwhelmed.

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