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Original poster

IBS - Intolerances? Coeliac?

9 replies

tillymama · 13/12/2010 19:02

What is the best way of finding out if I have any food intolerances?

I've had "IBS Symptoms" for years, but have never really to the bottom of them. The more I read about IBS, the more I realise it seems to be used as a catch all diagnosis for bowel issues. Someone likened it to going to see a Dr with head pain and being diagnosed with a headache!

TMI coming up...Symptoms basically consist of me swinging constantly between diarrhea and constipation, the latter being combined with stomach cramps.

In the last couple of months I've also started having really itchy skin. Can be anywhere, just always seem to have an itch. Plus I keep getting a rash flare up on the back of my hands. Pin prick sort of thing which is incredibly itchy and lasts for a few days.

We always use the same washing powder, and I don't use any creams or lotions as my skin gets really dry whenever I do. So I don't think this rash can be linked to anything external.

I'm constantly knackered, have always needed loads of sleep even pre-DD. Just feel sluggish and meh. I also get joint pain. I am overweight, but I get this even in my fingers if I carry something heavy. The pain just always seems very OTT for the activity, IYSWIM?

Does this sound anything like a food intolerance?

Another potential factor is that my mum has Coeliac Disease, which does have a genetic factor. I was tested for antibodies about 8 years ago, and it was all clear at the time.

I'm just fed up with constantly feeling rubbish.

But I don't know what I can do about it? I've never noticed any specific links to particular foods, but I've never done a food diary or anything. I don't really want to go head long into an elimination diet without guidance, but I dont know if my GP will help with something like that? The other issue with that is that Coeliac Disease can only really be diagnosed whilst you're still ingesting gluten.

Help!

OP posts:
2madboys · 13/12/2010 19:06

If i was you I would have another coeliac test. DH has it and so does his Mum. Your symptoms sound pretty typical, but like you said, you must be eating gluten to get a correct result. It will be a pain if you have to cut out gluten, but my DH felt massively better in less than a week, so definitely worth it.

CMOTdibbler · 13/12/2010 20:35

Your symptoms sound just (actually freakily similar) to mine before I was diagnosed as coeliac.

Ask your GP to do the blood test

ilovemyfestivehens · 13/12/2010 22:14

You can be gluten intolerant without having full blown coeliac disease. Even if the blood test comes back okay, still try cutting out gluten and see how you get on.

A lot of people aren't diagnosed with coeliac disease until they're older, so it's worth getting tested again. Keep eating gluten until you're tested though.

There is a test you can buy at the chemists to test for coeliac. It costs about £20 and I bought one from Boots for my ds1. It just uses a pinprick of blood which you place into a pipette, so it's easy enough to do. I can't remember what it's called, but just ask at Boots and they'll know.

Original poster
tillymama · 14/12/2010 19:10

Thanks all, got a Dr's appt on thursday to discuss

OP posts:
2madboys · 16/12/2010 09:11

Just wondering how you got on?

Original poster
tillymama · 16/12/2010 10:23

Oh thanks 2madboys. Just got back. He's doing a full blood work up for me, to check for Coeliac and a bunch of other stuff so that's good.

He did mention about going on a GF diet for 6 weeks to check my symptoms improve before they'd consider biopsy. But I can't remember if that was if the blood test was +ve or -ve...Confused I did point out that I'd have to go back to eating Gluten for 6 weeks before the biopsy, but he just shrugged and said that that's how they do it! Will be a bit miffed if test is +ve and then I have to arse about for 12 weeks going off and then back on gluten! But I'll have to wait for the blood test results before I start arguing the toss on that.

Blood test not til next tuesday, so I'm in for a bit of a wait!

Can't decide if I want diagnosis or not...? On the one hand hopefully I'll start getting better, and I obviously need to know so I dont cause irreparable damage to my gut. But on the other hand it's going to be a pretty crap diagnosis! Least I'll have the guidance of my mum I suppose!

OP posts:
2madboys · 16/12/2010 15:54

Just a thought - if your blood comes back positive but they want you to stop gluten for 6 weeks and then go back on before the biopsy, I would ask for a second opinion. My MIL was advised to stop gluten before she got a proper diagnosis and couldn't bear to go back on it because she felt so much better. Because of this, she doesn't get the gf food on prescription as she is not 'officially' diagnosed. GP's seem to vary quite a lot in what they know/believe about coeliac disease. The doc who diagnosed my dh completely doesn't believe that there are any neurological symptoms, but I can tell you that he is so grumpy and so confused when he has eaten gluten that there is no questioning it! If you do get a positive diagnosis, although it's quite hard, it's so worth it, because you'll feel so much better.

2madboys · 16/12/2010 18:43

Have you seen this? www.coeliac.org.uk/coeliac-disease/how-to-get-diagnosed

nightcat · 16/12/2010 21:30

2madboys, your dr is not keeping up with gluten research, I saw a neuro with my ds who published over 40 research journals on the subject and is world renown on this topic, here is one of his many papers link

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