Unsure If Its Celiacs, Need Opinions..

[Sdmcfadden]

I'm 20 and my whole life I've had stomach problems. For the past few years I never really thought anything of the fluctuation of constipation/diarrhea. I always ate whatever I wanted, never gained weight. I was always active and a pretty healthy individual. (just giving some background) I started getting constant UTI's. My most recent one, which was about 3 weeks ago. I was prescribed Cipro ( which I always take for my UTIs ) for some reason, everytime I would take it I'd almost immediately throw it up. that went on for 3 days, then I got my prescipt changed. And went on with that one with no problems. But ever since my Cipro issue my stomach hadn't been the same. I went through the next 2 weeks barely eating because I would have consant diarrhea, right before/during/immediately after the D episodes I would get the chills and feel nauseous and just down right horrible. in thorughout the two weeks I might have a 2-3 day period of no bowel movements and constipation. So immediately I'm thinking oh, IBS... I tried to eat a little better, yada yada. Then just 4 days ago my fiance's uncle, who is a gasteronologist mentioned maybe I should cut out Gluten? It's only been 4 days and I feel completely different. So much better.

I'm going to my FP tomorrow to get his opinion and possibly get a refferal to see someone who can run some tests. But I've been reading on here that a lot of people are saying DO NOT go gluten free until you are positive its celiacs? Why is that? considering the huge difference gluten has played, I'd hate to go back to eating it and being in so much discomfort... I was just curious why its so important?

Thank you :]

[kareng]

Antibiotics tend to kill the good bacteria on out " guts" that help us. Have you tried to put them back in with some probiotics or large amounts of yogurt?

If you want to be tested for Celiac, which isn't a bad idea, you need to be eating gluten. The blood tests look for antibodies you make to the gluten. You won't make antibodies if there isn't any gluten.

[Sdmcfadden]

Antibiotics tend to kill the good bacteria on out " guts" that help us. Have you tried to put them back in with some probiotics or large amounts of yogurt?

If you want to be tested for Celiac, which isn't a bad idea, you need to be eating gluten. The blood tests look for antibodies you make to the gluten. You won't make antibodies if there isn't any gluten.

Yes I've been taking a probiotic, and eating greek yogurt every morning.

about the gluten thing... thats a bummer. I was afraid that was going to be the answer.. I'm almost scared to cause the pain and discomfort I was in doesn't seem worth it. But I'll talk to my Family Practitioner when I go tom and see what he thinks.

[MitziG]

When they test you for celiac, they are looking for antibodies in your blood that your body makes against gluten. If you aren't eating gluten, the body stops making the antibodies, therefore, tests will show a false negative.

Also, if you get positive bloodwork, they will want to do a biopsy to confirm that it is celiac. The biopsy looks for flattened villi. Villi heal very quickly on a gluten free diet, so if you are already gluten free, again, you will get a flase negativ.

Since you have only been gluten-free for a few days, you haven't likely messed anything up, but do go back to eating it until all testing is done. The longer you are off it, the more violently your body will react to it being reintroduced, and when people try to do so in order to complete testing, they find they get too sick and can't do it. So they never get a formal diagnosis.

Obviously, you now know gluten is a problem for you. You may or may not have celiac. Gluten intolerance is much more common, and can't be tested for. Once you have done the testing, go back to being gluten free regardless of the results. You will be amazed at the difference in your health!

[Sdmcfadden]

Thank you for the info!

Do you think if I add some gluten things in here and there for the next couple of days until I get tested, that will be enough for a true test result?

[kareng]

You have only been gluten-free for 4 days? Just start eating a regular diet with gluten. Your family practice doc can order the blood tests.

[Sdmcfadden]

You have only been gluten-free for 4 days? Just start eating a regular diet with gluten. Your family practice doc can order the blood tests.

Okay, that was my other question. If I can get the test done with my family pract doc. or if I need to go to a specialist of some kind? But yes I've only been gluten free for 4 days.

[1desperateladysaved]

You do not have to be eating gluten to do a genetic test for gluten intolerance. The Gluten Free Society has one that you can do by mail. I got my diagnosis this way and my MD backed it. She may have had to do some studying in order to endorse it, but she affirmed that it was more dependable than the blood antibody tests for IGG that she gave me. Mine were negative.

My test was verified by the change in diet. I got 4 or 5 days of well feeling. AFter that I had either withdrawl symptoms and reactions to being exposed to gluten.

Expect some bumps in your road and rise to the challenge. Get well and be well.

Diana

[Sdmcfadden]

Thank you Diana, I'll have to check that out.

Another factor I dont understand is how one can go years and years with no problems, then all of a sudden becomes gluten intolerant?

[MitziG]

If you have the gene for celiacs, you can go years without issue until something "triggers" the disease to become active. Could be stress, surgery, illness...hard to say. As for gluten intolerance....theories abound, the most logical of which seems to me to be leaky gut syndrome. Too involved to explain in a thread but if you google it you will learn all you need to know.

As for the gene test, please be aware that very few doctors will dx on the basis of a gene test. Diana was fortunate in that hers was enlightened, but such doctors are a rarity. Also, celiac can show up in people who do NOT have the most commonly accepted "celiac genes". All that genetic testing can do is identify that you have genetic markers associated with celiac disease. It cannot say for certain that you have, or do not have, celiac disease.