Concerned

[electric-bamboo]

Hi. I'm new to the site. My name is Sarah. I've been wondering if I have Celiac disease for a while now, but I can't afford testing and have no insurance. Here's where I'm at: for a little over year now, i've had diarrhea. Literally every day I have to RUN (not always making it...super embarrassing) to the bathroom, especially after eating, have terrible stomach pains that precede that. I'm constantly bloated, and always exhausted. I bruise so easily that my husband is afraid that people think that he abuses me. Now, lately I've had this consistent itching...not really any rash to be seen, but I do have bumpy bits on the tops of my legs that look a bit like whelps only not red.

I'm really at a loss as to what to do. Should I go gluten-free and see if that makes a difference? My credit can't afford to take another hospital bill that i can't pay, it's already a bad score. I just feel really alone. I've missed work because of how I feel and my boss has asked why I go to the bathroom so much...i'm so embarrassed.

[Lisa]

Hi. I'm new to the site. My name is Sarah. I've been wondering if I have Celiac disease for a while now, but I can't afford testing and have no insurance. Here's where I'm at: for a little over year now, i've had diarrhea. Literally every day I have to RUN (not always making it...super embarrassing) to the bathroom, especially after eating, have terrible stomach pains that precede that. I'm constantly bloated, and always exhausted. I bruise so easily that my husband is afraid that people think that he abuses me. Now, lately I've had this consistent itching...not really any rash to be seen, but I do have bumpy bits on the tops of my legs that look a bit like whelps only not red.

I'm really at a loss as to what to do. Should I go gluten-free and see if that makes a difference? My credit can't afford to take another hospital bill that i can't pay, it's already a bad score. I just feel really alone. I've missed work because of how I feel and my boss has asked why I go to the bathroom so much...i'm so embarrassed.

You can go to your Primary Care Doctor and request these tests:

Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgA

Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgG

Anti-Endomysial (EMA) IgA

Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA

Deamidated Gliadin Peptide (DGP) IgA and IgG

Total Serum IgA

Or you can go 100% gluten free and see if your symptoms subside. But, we are not doctors and I would encourage you to seek medical advise first. If for nothing else, to rule out more serious issues.

[jeanzdyn]

Oh! I once had diarrhea (much as you describe) off and on for about 2 years. Try taking acidophilus --that is the probiotic that is found in yogurt. You can buy it in capsule form. That really helped me. (At the time I had no health insurance, so I did a lot of research into what I could do, without medical intervention, to make the diarrhea go away.

But, you are describing more of the same kind of symptoms I have experienced.

In view of your circumstances, not having health insurance, etc. I think you should try going gluten free. It is worth trying dietary changes to see if you can feel better or relieve some of your symptoms.

You certainly have come to the right place. There are a lot of people, here on the forum, a huge 'body' of knowledge and ready to share information.

Welcome to the forum.

[jeanzdyn]

Oh! I once had diarrhea (much as you describe) off and on for about 2 years. Try taking acidophilus --that is the probiotic that is found in yogurt. You can buy it in capsule form. That really helped me. (At the time I had no health insurance, so I did a lot of research into what I could do, without medical intervention, to make the diarrhea go away.

But, you are describing more of the same kind of symptoms I have experienced.

In view of your circumstances, not having health insurance, etc. I think you should try going gluten free. It is worth trying dietary changes to see if you can feel better or relieve some of your symptoms.

I also agree with Lisa that you do need to talk to a doctor about this.

You certainly have come to the right place. There are a lot of people, here on the forum, a huge 'body' of knowledge and ready to share information.

Welcome to the forum.

I don't know why this posted like this --I only meant to EDIT the post, not quote it --I clicked on EDIT not quote.

[squirmingitch]

Hi Sarah & welcome to the board. You are not alone. It certainly sounds like you have some kind of food related problem. And I'm betting it has to do with gluten. Yes, you should try going gluten free & see what happens. Going gluten free is not going to hurt you so that's no problem.

I worry about you having anemia though. Do you think you could swing say a visit to a walk in clinic so you could get tested for that?

Now, if you have celiac disease then many celiacs don't tolerate dairy until they get some healing under their belt so I would say to leave off dairy for a while as well as going gluten-free (gluten free). Also, soy is a big problem for many of us & can cause extreme bloating so lay off soy also. You can add those things back in later & see how you react to each individually.

And here's a link to get you started:

https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/91878-newbie-info-101/

But for at least a month or if it's proving to help you then for the first 3 months eat only whole foods; meats, fresh or frozen fruits & veggies. Forget all the processed junk. Let you gut heal. And drink LOTS of water to help flush toxins out of your system.

Ask any questions any time.

[electric-bamboo]

Thanks for the responses! It is nice to know that there are others out there. jeanzdyn: i cried a little when I read that you went through the same stint of diarrhea that i'm dealing with. it was hard for me to even admit that to my husband! i will look into that probiotic you mentioned.

I did a bit of research and found a low-cost clinic that offers many different types of lab testing, but their info says that they aren't always accepting new patients. I am going to call them and see if they are and if they offer the tests that you mentioned, Lisa. *fingers crossed* I know i have to continue to eat gluten for any tests to be accurate, so until then, I will cope.

Thanks for the welcome. It's good to be here.

[electric-bamboo]

So, i was able to speak with a woman at the clinic, good news is they can perform the tests, bad news is they don't have any appointments for new patients until late september. I don't think I can go on that long with these issues. I am going to try gluten-free diet and focus on whole, unprocessed foods as suggested. I am also going to abstain from dairy and soy as you mentioned, squirmingitch. thanks for that info. looking forward to dinner tonight - going to do fresh kale and cucumber salad with fresh tomatoes stewed over some certified gluten-free pasta the hubby got for me.

Also, there is a walk in clinic across the street that said i can come in for an anemia test on monday for a reasonable price, so i am going to do that.

I am going to keep a food diary to track how i am doing, hope it would be okay to share my experiences on the forum.

Hi Sarah & welcome to the board. You are not alone. It certainly sounds like you have some kind of food related problem. And I'm betting it has to do with gluten. Yes, you should try going gluten free & see what happens. Going gluten free is not going to hurt you so that's no problem.

I worry about you having anemia though. Do you think you could swing say a visit to a walk in clinic so you could get tested for that?

Now, if you have celiac disease then many celiacs don't tolerate dairy until they get some healing under their belt so I would say to leave off dairy for a while as well as going gluten-free (gluten free). Also, soy is a big problem for many of us & can cause extreme bloating so lay off soy also. You can add those things back in later & see how you react to each individually.

And here's a link to get you started:

https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/91878-newbie-info-101/

But for at least a month or if it's proving to help you then for the first 3 months eat only whole foods; meats, fresh or frozen fruits & veggies. Forget all the processed junk. Let you gut heal. And drink LOTS of water to help flush toxins out of your system.

Ask any questions any time.

[squirmingitch]

So, i was able to speak with a woman at the clinic, good news is they can perform the tests, bad news is they don't have any appointments for new patients until late september. I don't think I can go on that long with these issues. I am going to try gluten-free diet and focus on whole, unprocessed foods as suggested. I am also going to abstain from dairy and soy as you mentioned, squirmingitch. thanks for that info. looking forward to dinner tonight - going to do fresh kale and cucumber salad with fresh tomatoes stewed over some certified gluten-free pasta the hubby got for me.

Also, there is a walk in clinic across the street that said i can come in for an anemia test on monday for a reasonable price, so i am going to do that.

I am going to keep a food diary to track how i am doing, hope it would be okay to share my experiences on the forum.

Oh YUM! Your dinner sounds delicious! Making my mouth water just reading it & I just finished eating mine.

Glad you can get the anemia test. If they will do vitamin levels too w/o charging too much then go for it so you know where you stand & know what to take. If you are celiac or even gluten sensitive then odds are you are lacking in the vitamin dept. b/c your body hasn't been absorbing nutrition correctly.

Absolutely! Share any & all experiences here with us on the forum. Believe me, someone has been there before you & can relate to your experiences. If you have any problems, frustrations, questions, rants & raves, venting, or are confused about anything just post it. If you can't figure something out we will all try to help you figure it out.

[electric-bamboo]

Thanks! My homemade tomato sauce is simmering away now and for the first time in a while i'm looking forward to eating! I look forward to seeing where this journey takes me. Trying to be positive about it and looking forward to feeling better/finding an answer.

Oh YUM! Your dinner sounds delicious! Making my mouth water just reading it & I just finished eating mine.

Glad you can get the anemia test. If they will do vitamin levels too w/o charging too much then go for it so you know where you stand & know what to take. If you are celiac or even gluten sensitive then odds are you are lacking in the vitamin dept. b/c your body hasn't been absorbing nutrition correctly.

Absolutely! Share any & all experiences here with us on the forum. Believe me, someone has been there before you & can relate to your experiences. If you have any problems, frustrations, questions, rants & raves, venting, or are confused about anything just post it. If you can't figure something out we will all try to help you figure it out.