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Celiac Disease?


gottarun96

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gottarun96 Newbie

I am questioning if I have celiac disease. Does this sound similiar. I poop MANY times per day. It is by far the worst when I first wake up nut occurs through out the day. Many times I could not wait longer than a couple minutes to go. When I do go it is long and skinny and tan. Sometimes there is something floating in the water. It looks like mucus maybe? I am bloated a lot and I have a lot of gass. I do not know if this is related but I have a red rash on my legs.

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eatmeat4good Enthusiast

The rash, if it is related, would be called Dermatitis Herpetiformis, the skin form of Celiac. Does it itch or burn? Is it worse at night? Does it get worse after eating gluten or salty food?

The other symptoms you have are also consistent with Celiac.

Are you thinking of getting tested?

If so, you need to keep eating gluten...if not you can do the elimination of gluten and see if your symptoms go away.

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gottarun96 Newbie

The rash is pretty constant. It doesn't really itch.

Is there a reason to get tested? If I eliminate gluten and symptoms go away is there anything the Doctor will do besides say I have celiac disease?

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MitziG Enthusiast

It is important to know if you have celiac disease. You may be gluten sensitive instead, meaning gluten makes you sick, but you do not have the auto-immune process of celiac disease going on. If you go gluten free, and feel better, you will stick with the diet awhile. But it is a very hard diet. Eventually, you will cheat.

If you have celiac, you can not ever cheat. Even small amounts of gluten can have damaging effects long term, some of them are life threatening and will not be noticeable until it is too late.

If you have celiac, it is genetic, and the rest of your family needs to be tested as well.

If you have celiac, you must be 100% gluten free, for the REST OF YOUR LIFE. It isn't something one will commit to without knowing for sure.

Once you go gluten free, you can not be tested without doing a "gluten challenge" which for most people involves several months of eating large amounts of gluten which is not as much fun as it sounds. If you are even sensitive to gluten, once you quit eating it, your sensitivity will likely increase- meaning eating even a little gluten will make you very sick. So the idea of making yourself very, very sick for the sake of being tested becomes difficult.

Many on this board didn't think testing was a big deal, didn't think they needed to know, in the beginning. As time goes on, and they aren't sure if gluten is their issue, or if it is the ONLY issue, they want to know. And then they have to do a miserable challengw.

Take my advice. Get tested asap. Do not go gluten free until all tests are done. If you have celiac, then you know. If your tests are negative, THEN try a gluten frree diet anyway. Gluten sensitivity can NOT be tested for, that is something you can only find out by experimenting.

Your symptoms sound very much like they could be caused by gluten, whether you have celiac disease or not.

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kittty Contributor

I am questioning if I have celiac disease. Does this sound similiar. I poop MANY times per day. It is by far the worst when I first wake up nut occurs through out the day. Many times I could not wait longer than a couple minutes to go. When I do go it is long and skinny and tan. Sometimes there is something floating in the water. It looks like mucus maybe? I am bloated a lot and I have a lot of gass. I do not know if this is related but I have a red rash on my legs.

I didn't have the rash, but your poop habits sound like mine were for a couple of years. Later on it turned into diarrhea and ONLY diarrhea, several times per day, for about a year until I stopped eating gluten. It cleared up quite quickly after that.

Getting tested is up to you. I had given up on doctors who could provide no relief after years of medical issues, so I just started eliminating food groups one at a time until I found my answer. By that time I was already off the gluten, and couldn't bare the thought of feeling ill, missing work and putting my job at risk, being anxious, and running to the bathroom all over again just to get medical confirmation.

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bartfull Rising Star

The rash could be excema or psoriasis and I am convinced that they are both caused by food. My psoriasis has cleared up completely after 14 months gluten-free. I'm sure it would have gone away sooner but I developed sensitivities to other foods as well and one of them was corn which is almost impossible to avoid completely. But now that my gut has finally healed I have been able to add corn (and potatoes) back to my diet. My insomnia, brain fog, digestive issues, psoriasis, swelling ankles and feet, snoring, and heart palpitations have all gone away. My energy level has increased too.

And you have no idea what it has done for my mood! I was pretty grumpy for a while there, but now I wake up smiling and the little things don't set me off anymore. I feel like a new person.

I hope it goes as well for you. :)

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gottarun96 Newbie

So how do they test you? If iit is an intolerance nothing will show up? Does it sound like an intolerance if the test shows up negative?

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    • trents
      But if you have been off of wheat for a period of weeks/months leading up to the testing it will likely turn out to be negative for celiac disease, even if you actually have celiac disease. Given your symptoms when consuming gluten, we certainly understand your reluctance to undergo  the "gluten challenge" before testing but you need to understand that the testing may be a waste of time if you don't. What are you going to do if it is negative for celiac disease? Are you going to go back to merrily eating wheat/barley/rye products while living in pain and destroying your health? You will be in a conundrum. Do I or do I not? And you will likely have a difficult time being consistent with your diet. Celiac disease causes inflammation to the small bowel villous lining when gluten containing grains are consumed. This inflammation produces certain antibodies that can be detected in the blood after they reach a certain level, which takes weeks or months after the onset of the disease. If gluten is stopped or drastically reduced, the inflammation begins to decrease and so do the antibodies. Before long, their low levels are not detectable by testing and the antibody blood tests done for diagnosing celiac disease will be negative. Over time, this inflammation wears down the billions of microscopic, finger-like projections that make up the lining and form the nutrient absorbing layer of the small bowel where all the nutrition in our food is absorbed. As the villi bet worn down, vitamin and mineral deficiencies typically develop because absorption is compromised. An endoscopy with biopsy of the small bowel lining to microscopically examine this damage is usually the second stage of celiac disease diagnosis. However, when people cut out gluten or cut back on it significantly ahead of time before the biopsy is done, the villous lining has already experienced some healing and the microscopic examination may be negative or inconclusive. I'm not trying to tell you what to do I just want you to understand what the consequences of going gluten free ahead of testing are as far as test results go so that you will either not waste your time in having the tests done or will be prepared for negative test results and the impact that will have on your dietary decisions. And, who are these "consultants" you keep talking about and what are their qualifications? You are in the unenviable position that many who joint this forum have found themselves in. Namely, having begun a gluten free diet before getting a proper diagnosis but unwilling to enter into the gluten challenge for valid testing because of the severity of the symptoms it would cause them.
    • Zackery Brian
      I'm sorry to hear about the challenges you've been facing with your health. Dealing with celiac disease and multiple food sensitivities can indeed be overwhelming. Here are a few thoughts and suggestions based on your experience and the replies you've received: Confirming Diagnosis: It's great that your gastroenterologist confirmed your celiac disease diagnosis through additional tests. Understanding the specifics of your condition can help tailor your approach to managing it more effectively. Food Sensitivity Testing: While blood tests for food sensitivities can provide some insights, they may not always be completely accurate. As mentioned by others, false positives are common, and individual responses to specific foods can vary. Discussing your test results and symptoms with a healthcare professional knowledgeable about celiac disease and food sensitivities can help clarify your situation. Research and Education: Exploring conditions like Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and histamine intolerance could shed further light on your symptoms and provide additional avenues for managing your health. Gathering information from reliable sources and discussing your findings with your healthcare team can help you make informed decisions about your care. Dietary Management: Managing celiac disease and multiple food sensitivities can be challenging, but finding a balance that works for you is crucial. Working with a dietitian who specializes in celiac disease and food intolerances can help you develop a personalized dietary plan that meets your nutritional needs while minimizing symptoms. Stress Management: Chronic pain and health issues can take a toll on mental and emotional well-being. Finding healthy coping strategies to manage stress, such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques, or engaging in activities you enjoy, may help improve your overall quality of life. Remember, you're not alone in your journey, and seeking support from healthcare professionals, support groups, or online communities can provide valuable encouragement and guidance.
    • Fluka66
      Thank you very much for your reply. I hadn't heard of celiac disease but began to notice a pattern of pain. I've been on the floor more than once with agonising pain but this was always put down to another abdominal problem consequently I've been on a roundabout of backwards and forwards with another consultant for many years. I originally questioned this diagnosis but was assured it was the reason for my pain. Many years later the consultant gave up and I had a new GP. I started to cut out certain food types ,reading packets then really started to cut out wheat and went lactose free. After a month I reintroduced these in one meal and ended screaming in agony the tearing and bloating pain. With this info and a swollen lymph node in my neck I went back to the GP.  I have a referral now . I have also found out that acidic food is causing the terrible pain . My thoughts are this is irritating any ulcers. I'm hoping that after a decade the outlook isn't all bad. My blood test came back with a high marker but I didn't catch what it was. My GP and I have agreed that I won't go back on wheat just for the test due to the pain , my swollen lymph node and blood test results.  Trying to remain calm for the referral and perhaps needed to be more forceful all those years ago but I'm not assertive and consultants can be overwhelming. Many thanks for your reply . Wishing you all the best.
    • Moodiefoodie
      Wow! Fascinating info. Thanks so much! I really appreciate the guidance. @Spacepanther Over the years I have had rheumatologists do full lab work ups on me. They told me they had screened me for arthritis, lupus, and Lyme disease (all negative). In addition to joint pain and stiffness I had swelling in both knees that later moved to my elbow as well.  I also experience stiffness and pain in my neck and shoulders when it flares. I vomited fairly often growing up, but there wasn’t a real pattern to it and I didn’t know it wasn’t normal (thought people caught stomach viruses often).  I don’t usually have stomach symptoms immediately after eating gluten that I notice.  The only other joint condition I know of is fibromyalgia. Good luck! Hope you can get it figured out. I only assumed my joint symptoms were due to the celiac’s because it is under control for the most part on a gluten-free diet.  The rheumatologist also mentioned that some inflammatory/autoimmune diseases can be slow-moving and not detectable until they progress.
    • knitty kitty
      @Spacepanther, I found these articles about the connection between Celiac and joint pain. Musculoskeletal Complications of Celiac Disease: A Case-Based Review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10201087/ And   Intestinal microbiome composition and its relation to joint pain and inflammation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6814863/ And The gut microbiome-joint connection: implications in osteoarthritis https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6903327/ Sounds like it's time to change the diet to change the microbiome.
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