Rose W

Last night my fiance made a joke about "oh, I can't eat this, I can't eat that ... I need my own toaster ..." and I was hurt by his mocking, even though I know to some extent he was joking. At this moment, I don't feel this is a joking matter. Please tell me if I am alone ... I am sure I am not. Thank you so much ... already.

Girl to girl, I say this: Be fully aware that the man you're engaged to marry, will not be supportive of you in your quest to find out what's wrong and get healthy. After my 14 years of marriage to a man like that, I would urge you to postpone the wedding and get to know this guy better. Trust me on this one: if he's going to mock you BEFORE you're married, it will be much worse afterwards. I have the best husband of 4 1/2 years now. He would NEVER mock me, belittle me, or be hurtful or treat me with disrespect, as I try to better myself and be healthier. Here's a hug for support.....

It sounds like you're going through alot right now. I really hope it all works out for you, and soon. I understand the constant diarrhea and the fear and not knowing. I also experience severe migraines with a barrage of side symptoms.. I feel like I've been a hypochondriac for the last 3 years trying to solve it all. Now I've been gluten free a single month and am already feeling better.

Some people on this forum have had the fortune of finding amazing doctors that helped them discover their problems and guide them along the way, while others are disenchanted by the medical community. Personally, I had to take matters into my own hands because most of my doctors have been worthless.

Best of luck, and please keep us updated how your tests go.

Dear Arctic Lotus: I'm also brand new here, and have felt like a hypochondriac for the past two years. I'm so thankful to have found this forum!

I'm 46, and for the past two years, I have NOT felt like me. Mental fog, fatigue - sometimes in the extreme, weakness, gut pain, weight gain, bloating, and more. Like you, I'm TIRED of being sick and tired! Since January, I've been to doctors, trying to figure out what is going on, but all I've gotten is basically "you're fat and middle-aged". Just 24 hours ago, I stumbled upon something about celiac disease, and I KNOW that's what is going on with me. Today, I started my gluten-free life! On Monday, I'm going in to the doc's and requesting all blood tests for celiac disease. So, as a fellow newbie to the realization that we're NOT going crazy, I salute you for being pro-active in your health!! Trust what your body is telling you. Doctors may be discouraging, and mis-informed. Keep looking for a supportive and informed doctor.

Do you know what my 'AHA' moment was yesterday? It was while looking at a listing of celiac symptoms, (of course, I had many of them), but one caught my eye. It was "Low Cholesterol because of mal-absorption". I have the lowest cholesterol that my doctor has ever seen! As well as low blood calcium, low iron and low blood counts. But no doctor I've seen has been able to explain why I have abnormally low cholesterol. When I went in last month complaining of extreme stomach pain, distention, and feeling bloated and 'full up', neither of the two docs caught on. But now I know, and I join you in taking charge of my health!