Constantly ill (sore throats, chest problems) and stomach problems - why??

[hazeyjane]

I have been having some recurring health problems, and just wondered if anyone thinks that they are linked, or if it is just being run down - I find it quite difficult to think objectively about health stuff, as I had a form of cancer 12 years ago, and have a tendency to either stick my head in the sand or get so panicked that I, um, stick my head in the sand!

Firstly I have had stomach issues for months, bloating, diarrhoea, sharp pains, and have put on a lot of weight. I keep getting ill, usually a sore throat that inevitably turns into chest problems and leaves me washed out for ages. I am ill now (about the 3rd time in as many months) wheezing, temperature, crunchy chest and now have woken up with awful diarrhoea.

I feel knackered all the time, I get tons of headaches, and feel full of aches. I have recently had an ovarian scan (because of bad period pain - fibroids diagnosed), a blood test to rule out diabetes and thyroid problems, and am awaiting a referral to a gastroenterologist. I am seeing my gp later about my chest - so for once not sticking my head in the sand, but just wondered if any of this rang any bells with anyone?

What did your GP say?

Gp sent me home with antibiotics, prednisolone and inhalers for my chest, and wants me to have a blood test to rule out coeliacs next week.

Thankyou

Definitely good to test for coeliacs, but as I understand it the test doesn't work if you have an intolerance to gluten, only if it's full-blown allergy. If I were you, I would "self test" - I would avoid any grains for 1 month or more and see if it helped. Don''t just go gluten free, have no grains whatsoever, really check ingredients, or better still, avoid processed foods as it can be hard to find all grain derivatives.

If that doesn't work, try avoiding dairy for a month.

Also, if you have no luck with GP, dieticians are not as expensive as you migght think, and they are quick at finding the things that GPs don't look for.

My first thought was coeliac disease. Don't change your diet at all until you've been tested though! It could result in a false negative!

Thankyou misschp - my dd1 was tested for coeliacs 2 years ago, and the test came back negative, but she tested positive for a wheat allergy, so she is gluten free. I am bloody awful with wheat though, and eat it all the time.

Thankyou, alittlefaith - the dr warned me not to change anything, so I will continue my wheaty ways for the next week!

hazeyjayne, so you know all about it ;)

But you should read Zoe Harcombes The Harcombe Diet, she has a an excellent chapter on gluten intolerance symptoms. I got her book from the library. I got my mum to not eat grains for a month (I eat Paleo), and not only did she drop 2 trouser sizes, her brain fog cleared and she felt so energetic.