Symptoms Similar To Celiac Disease

[uhs514]

I'm a 26 year old male, who in the past few years have had some major stomach problems. About four years ago I had a nasty parasite that caused me to lose about 65lbs. After healing from that, they found that the parasite had attacked my gall bladder, causing me to have that removed. For a year or so I started feeling better, then what I thought was the flu hit me. Instead it was cdiff, which I had 4 times in one year. After getting over that I started gaining weight, but never felt all there. Had a lot of bloating and gas. Well for the last 2 months it has picked up alot. I get very very bloated and gassy. This seems to be hitting me at night more than the day. But its also making me very nauseous. It wakes me up in the middle of the night and I can here my stomach churning and making noises. I have a lot of gas and burp a lot. I also have been really tired and get kind of stiff or sore in the muscles. The only reason I suspect it could be celiac is because my grandpa has it. I havent been tested for food allergies, but will here in the next few days. Also another thing is , when these symptoms started it seemed like I was very stressed. The bloated and gassy feeling I have comes and goes, but these last few months have been terrible. Sometimes I cant make it ten mntures after eating to rush to the bathroom. Then sometimes I wont go for a day or two, then when I do go , I will have to go several times. If anyone has any opinions please respond. I just wont to feel better and know its not all in my head! Thanks!

[mushroom]

Hello, and welcome to the boards. I hope you will feel you are in good company

No, I do not believe it is all in your head, and I do not believe it is because you are stressed, apart from the condition itself being stressful, I am glad you are going to get tested. Make sure you are tested for celiac disease first, a panel which consists of the following 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

If they baulk at doing them all make sure they at least do the last three. Whatever you do, do not stop eating gluten until your testing is finished as this can affect your results. If celiac runs in the family this is much more likely to be your problem than the average person on the street. Your symptoms are certainly consistent, including the alternating constipation and diarrhea.

A c.diff infection can really knock one back and I recently found some experiences on the net which indicate one might never fully recover from it, that it does leave some lasting damage. And celiac disease seems to make us more susceptible to these gut bugs because our body does not have the strength to fight them off.

So get thee to thy physician and get yourself tested right smart. And do let us know the results. Good luck!

[uhs514]

Thanks for the response. Cdiff was no fun at ALL! I honestly thought I was going to die the first time I had it. I was in the hospital for a few days pretty much knocked out on morphine. It seems since that, I havent felt right. Not fun for an active male in his mid 20s. I have a few more questions. Sometimes I do feel alright and can eat fine. But Im always rushing to the bathroom. Also my hips and knees always feel stiff. Is joint stiffness a symptom? I really hope in part of my mind I'm positive for celiac. It would give me some resolution! I just want answers....

[mushroom]

Yes, joint problems are a common symptom in celiac persons, ranging from stiffness to rheumatoid arthritis, so here's hoping once you get off gluten - regardless of your test results, do give the gluten free diet a good trial once your testing is complete - that they go away

[uhs514]

Also, it seems like my symptoms really bother me at night. It has been waking me about almost nightly for the past month or two. A lot of nauseous and churning of the stomach. It last about an hour. If I pass gas or burp it tends to make it better, but I also feel very weak during this. Has anyone else had these symptoms?

[mushroom]

Oh yeah!!! I could burp / belch for an hour

[nvsmom]

Evenings were definitely the worst time for symptoms; I would get more pregnant looking as the day wore on. LOL

Joint pain and stiffness was a big one for me, and it's finally STARTING to improve after 6 months on the diet. That symptom takes a while to go for many people, so be patient once you go gluten-free.

Good luck with your testing!