Negative Blood Test

[Mdork]

Hey everyone. I guess I can start with some background history.

I was born lactose intolerant and eventually "grew out" of my symptoms. While I could never tolerate whole milk, I was always able to enjoy cheese and sour cream without trouble. The older I have gotten (I'm now 26), the less tolerable I have become. I cut out all dairy except for the occasional cheese.

Last summer I developed shingles on my back and from that moment forward my health took a drastic spiral downward. I was hospitalized with an anaphylactic reaction to an unknown food, everything on the ingredients list I had consumed before with no trouble. I was given a skin test and tested positive for cottonseed oil. Since then, I assumed this was the culprit to the anaphylaxis. After the hospital trip, I had been getting extreme body aches and joint pain. Then, the bloating and gas started. Never In my life have I been more embarrassed about the amount of gas and smell that would come from my body on a regular basis. We aren't talking the occasional passing of gas, this was nonstop. I was mortified. I couldn't wait to get off work so I could unbutton my pants and not worry about the embarrassment. My acne worsened and I had become extremely itchy. I would break out into random hives or itch for no reason. My hair started to fall out in the shower and I was shedding quite a bite, not in clumps or large amounts, but enough for me to notice it and think it wasn't normal. I never experienced diarrhea or constipation. My BMs were regular and frequent. My main worry was the gas and bloating. How could so much come out of someone so little?! There were at least 3-4 times in the last year where I thought I was dying from stomach cramps. I was shaking from the pain and in tears. I assumed it was just the gas or bloating, but nothing helped but time. I decided to cut out any milk product and really lay off the cheese. My symptoms actually worsened! My asthma increased and my seasonal allergies went haywire. I would sleep for 12-15 hours a day on the weekends. There were a few occasions I had literally slept for 20hrs and it took all the energy I had to open my eyes and stay awake.

I decided to see a doctor who suggested testing me for celiac and suggested I try going gluten free. I have been gluten and dairy free for a week and a half and it has been the most amazing feeling ever. I have had 0 bloating, very little gas, and the body aches have disappeared entirely. My energy has increased but I am still sluggish. I just got my test results back and everything was normal!! I am extremely frustrated with the results.

I tried lactose free cheese the other night, hoping that maybe it has been my lactose intolerance coming back full force and I was miserable for a day and a half! The gas, the bloating, the cramps, everything came right back!! Apparently it's not just the lactose intolerance that is causing my problems. I'm confused and I just want answers. I am tired of feeling like a hypochondriac and nobody understanding the embarrassment and severity of the situation.

[squirmingitch]

I'm sorry you're feeling so rotten & can't get any answers. First, you need to get a copy of the blood test results -- an actual copy. Then post them here. It's more than possible that the doc did not do the FULL celiac panel on you. Many of them don't even know what the FULL panel consists of.

Furthermore, the blood tests are never false positive but there are false negatives.

Let's start with you getting a copy of your test results.

[beachbirdie]

Hey everyone. I guess I can start with some background history.

I decided to see a doctor who suggested testing me for celiac and suggested I try going gluten free. I have been gluten and dairy free for a week and a half and it has been the most amazing feeling ever. I have had 0 bloating, very little gas, and the body aches have disappeared entirely. My energy has increased but I am still sluggish. I just got my test results back and everything was normal!! I am extremely frustrated with the results.

I'm sorry you're feeling so rotten & can't get any answers. First, you need to get a copy of the blood test results -- an actual copy. Then post them here. It's more than possible that the doc did not do the FULL celiac panel on you. Many of them don't even know what the FULL panel consists of.

Furthermore, the blood tests are never false positive but there are false negatives.

Let's start with you getting a copy of your test results.

Ditto what squirmingitch said. Also, did you get thyroid testing?