EvilGut

Hi jenvan, I am officially diagnosed with "probable" Sjogren's--only because I haven't had a salivary gland biopsy (no thanks!) or another objective test like the Schirmer's. Since I have symptoms of dry eyes and mouth and the anti-Ro/SSA antibody, I get a probable diagnosis even without the tests. That's enough for me. I know I have it. OTOH, I don...

Wow, that's impressive, giraffelover. I've had very normal blood pressure readings until recently. Now they run borderline high: 130-140/80-90. It's weird, but as the anemia worsens so does the blood pressure. I've never heard of any connection between the two, but who knows. Fluid retention could certainly cause hypertension as well as weight gain, both...

Well, the dopey doctor was right about one thing: ANA can be positive in perfectly healthy people. Of course, many of them are elderly people. But if you have an elevated ANA titre and symptoms suggestive of autoimmune disease, you should be followed up. As far as I know, elevated ANA is not directly linked to celiac disease. However, many autoimmune...

Red bumps with scaly patches could be eczema. Normally, eczema is thought to be an allergic reaction, mediated by the antibody subtype, IgE. You can also have autoeczema--an autoimmune process indistinguishable from atopic (allergic) eczema except it's not classic allergy (not IgE mediated). Autoeczema is not uncommon in people with other autoimmune diseases...

Sam, Have you been retested for heliobacter? The upper GI problems (reflux, stomach pain), the B12 deficiency and anemia could all be related to H. pylori gastritis. I'm thinking this could be my problem too. I'm undiagnosed but have many of the same symptoms you do. Many years ago, I was found to be infected with H. pylori, and the doctor chose not...

Do you get exhausted after eating a meal? I ate lunch about an hour ago and am just about ready to pass out. I mean, I'd kill for a bed! This is nothing new for me. I just never had an explanation for it before now. For those of you on a gluten-free diet, you may have to remember prior to the dietary change. Zzzzzz!

[>>I agree with Claire -- I don't go back to doctors who laugh at me. There is a rheumatologist who is, probably within the next two days, receiving all of the "factual" (vs imagined) information from bloodwork and biopsies which proves that he was wrong last year.<< I've had a terrible time with rheumatologists. They don't listen, they don...

Cerebellar ataxia--egads! I hadn't heard about the connection between that and celiac disease. Called today to schedule an appointment with my gastroenterologist. Unfortunately, the earliest appointment I can get is next month. In a way, that's fine. It gives me time to wallow in my denial--I need that luxury. Heaven forbid I should do anything quickly...

Hmm, I don't know about costochondritis and Celiac Disease specifically, but I know costochondritis is common in other autoimmune diseases such as lupus. Sharp pains in the lower ribcage can be bowel pain--gas or otherwise. I get left sided pain in this area and have for years. It's definitely my evil gut at work because it's accompanied by other intestinal...

>>At the end of the appt. I asked about celiac, and he said yeah, it is rare and that it usually happens in people that have been to 3rd world countries????<< This is tropical sprue, not celiac sprue (aka celiac disease). Your doctor is not well informed--and I'm being uncharacteristically nice and PC by putting it this way.

Danijela, Definitely get a detailed list of antibody tests run on you. Let me tell you why. There's a condition closely associated with celiac disease which will almost guarantee that you will test negative. This is because most of the autoantibody tests for celiac disease are of the IgA isotype. A small percentage of celiac disease'ers have IgA deficiency...

Wow, thanks for the quick replies. The only reason I would go on a gluten free diet would be to reduce the risk of intestinal lymphoma. The anemia and fatigue are nuisances I can tolerate. But intestinal lymphoma--that one really scares me. LOL, yes, Jersey, Evil Gut is good way to describe mine, although the IBS symptoms have improved considerably...

...that I have celiac disease? Not your classic childhood onset celiac disease, but celiac disease nonetheless. Here's the rundown on me: Sex: Female Symptoms: history of severe irritable bowel syndrome since age 12; fatigue and listlessness. Abnormal blood tests: anemia (unexplained and chronic); lymphopenia (low lymphocyte count--no history...