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Gemini

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Everything posted by Gemini

  1. Gemini
    Nancy.....you obviously have touched on a nerve here but I must agree with you completely on this one. Except for those with DH, who react topically, gluten has to reach the gut for a reaction to occur and this medical fact can be backed up with any reference to Celiac Disease. Gluten cannot be absorbed through a mucous membrane because the molecule is just...
  2. Gemini
    It certainly sounds like you have Celiac and with that many symptoms, you may want to try the diet even if testing doesn't yield definitive results. As far as menopause is concerned, Celiacs have a tendency to go through early menopause and it could certainly be the problem. Once you get testing done and if you decide to try the diet, see what happens with...
  3. Gemini
    Keeping in mind the ultimate decisions have to be yours, I always opt to start with the least invasive testing. Doctor's always start looking for the worst case scenario, which can cause discomfort and worry to the patient. Blood testing is so simple, I would start there. CAT scans, with use of dyes, can cause allergic reactions. My family are prone to that...
  4. Gemini
    You may still have Sjogren's even though you do not have the other symptoms, such as dry eye and mouth. My niece used to swell up like the Hindenburg on one side of her face and none of the doctor's she saw had a clue. She had no other symptoms. Then, I was diagnosed with Celiac and I knew I had Sjogren's because I had terribly dry eyes and mouth. I asked...
  5. Gemini
    No, you are not wrong. This is the type of ignorant doctoring that I will never understand. Your intestines will become inflamed first, sometimes for years and then when enough damage has been done, the villi start to go. That could take a long time to happen too, depending upon the person. Doing a biopsy on a 3 year old and then saying it isn't Celiac because...
  6. Gemini
    If your bloodwork was positive, you have Celiac Disease....period. What a negative biopsy means is that the damage has not become bad enough yet for the doctor to find it on the biopsy, which is a good thing because your small intestine hasn't been trashed yet. You caught it early. The only Celiac that a doctor will officially diagnose are those that go to...
  7. Gemini
    I think you have hit the nail on the head when it comes to some people's reaction to eating with a Celiac. I thought it was just me and I was beng overly sensitive but I have noticed that my healthy choices when eating out or my ability to disassociate food from fun makes some very uncomfortable and they end up saying stupid or hurtful things. I think they...
  8. Gemini
    It's expected you should gain weight after healing has taken place otherwise, it might indicate that your gut is not healing. I also have found that most of us, after healed, eat way more than we think we are. People always underestimate how much they are actually eating and I believe it's because you are now able to eat without difficulty or getting sick...
  9. Gemini
    While I cannot help you out with the cost of an endoscopy, I would guess that the amount you were charged is correct. They have whole wings dedicated to these procedures and they have to be paid for. Many doctor's make their money by doing procedures and that's why they push people so hard to have them. I hate to be so blunt but it's a business and they...
  10. Gemini
    Good post! One of the most common causes of changing eye problems is plain old aging! Not sure how old the original poster is but once you get past 40, it's mind blowing how bad your eyes can get in a very short period of time. A person has the most glass Rx changes between 40-50 years of age. Plus, the dryer eye sets in and can cause many of the problems...
  11. Gemini
    That may be extreme advice for a new Celiac. I did not eliminate those two at all and healed just fine. If a person is still having issues after a month or so gluten-free, then I might advise eliminating them, one at a time, so you can be sure which one is the offender. Eliminating all of them at once might complicate matters. A little disturbing is the...
  12. Gemini
    Thanks, Jen.....it's people like yourself that could change the way celiac disease/GS are diagnosed. Keep up the good work!
  13. Gemini
    GI docs will only diagnose with flattened villi, period. That is such an injustice to those who aren't showing enough damage yet. Would they ask a diabetic to ingest sugar if their blood work was iffy? I realize some will have to undergo a biopsy for peace of mind or to investigate further if their blood work was negative or borderline but for others, like...
  14. Gemini
    The problem I have with these articles is that they always state the only treatment for celiac disease is a strict adherence to a gluten-free diet and that the diet is very difficult to follow. I just do not agree with that at all. Once it is mastered, I have not found this diet difficult at all. For me, being able to eat a good, varied diet without getting...
  15. Gemini
    To be honest, I paid for my testing out of pocket because I wanted it done FAST and the doctor I went to was not covered under my HMO plan. This is a precursor to national health and what we are in for if certain people are elected to office in this country. Mine was done 3 years ago and I paid $380.00 for a full Celiac panel. So, I really do not understand...
  16. Gemini
    Jen....I have all the problems you mentioned in your post....Hashimoto's, osteopenia, the double DQ2 Celiac genes and I have an official diagnosis. I should clarify....I did the blood work and failed all the tests done, with huge numbers, so I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I have celiac disease. My response to the gluten-free diet was phenomenal and...
  17. Gemini
    Are you looking to stay right in Marlborough, MA or are you willing to travel a little to eat? I only ask because I live very near there and am familiar with all the restaurants. Marlborough has very limited options for gluten-free dining and I usually never go to any of the restaurants there. There is a Longhorn's, right near to all the hotels on Rt. 20...
  18. Gemini
    That sounds a little bizarre to me. Hashimoto's is the autoimmune version of low thyroid and taking replacement hormone to stabilize your levels is extremely important. Out of all the specialists I have spoken with, not a one ever referenced taking replacement hormone to keep the thyroid stable as leading to cancer. Maybe you did not have true Hashimoto...
  19. Gemini
    The two blood tests for Sjogren's are called SS-A and SS-B....they are looking for specific antibodies, just like in the Celiac testing. You sound like you have it as a sore tongue is one of the symptoms. Mine was so sore, at times, I had trouble eating. Good luck!
  20. Gemini
    The dentist problem has been way overblown. I asked my dentist, when first diagnosed, how many products used could possibly contain gluten and her answer was....damn few. In fact, she was not aware of that being a problem and we checked labels. Nothing contained gluten. I also go to the dentist every 3 months for cleanings because I have Sjogren's Syndrome...
  21. Gemini
    The EMA is specific to Celiac Disease, meaning that a positive EMA can mean only Celiac Disease, nothing else. Your blood tests show something is going on, whether or not it's celiac disease vs. GS doesn't really matter because both will totally screw you up if not diagnosed. Some people need to see more proof positive before going gluten-free and that's...
  22. Gemini
    You cannot cure an autoimmune disease by diet alone but you can manage them and often, become asymptomatic. However, I am concerned that you are not on any replacement hormone, especially with a TSH of 4.2! Why did your doctor not do this? That is out of range and damaging to your body. Just because you have noticed some improvement, does not mean the improvement...
  23. Gemini

    ARCHIVED Hot Flashes

    Gemini replied to wowzer's topic in Related Issues & Disorders

    If you are in your 50's and having hot flashes, then it's menopause. Hot flashes can start years before you actually go into full blown menopause and last for a long, long time. They can also start and stop without warning. That is very common. As for testing, forget blood draws for hormone levels....very unreliable. Saliva testing is the way to go but...
  24. Gemini
    Yes, the sloshing you experienced is a very unique symptom of Celiac Disease. Sloshing, gurgling, and noises that resemble a waterfall in your gut are strong indicators of it. You cannot digest gluten so your body starts to dump water into your stomach and intestines in a desperate attempt to digest and eliminate the food. Which it can't very well so when...
  25. Gemini
    Hello Dibbles, You are certainly a Celiac, judging from your symptoms. I do not have much time to write as I am going away for the week-end but a few comments.......I have Sjogren's and there is no need for a biopsy on your lip to prove Sjogren's. That is the old fashioned way to diagnose. There is a blood test to check for elevated antibodies called...
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