Celiac Disease

[elmer0508]

I have had diarrhea for 1 1/2 years; been to the GI doctor several times; have been scoped and a colonoscopy.  Still I have diarrhea, nausea, vomiiting, stools that float as well as what appears to be oil in the toilet with bowel movements, tender canker sores on tonge, abdominal pain and bloating, gas (and gas pain); I battle anemia and have a low white blood count; I have tons of tiny bruises and bruise very easily.  My colonoscopy, upper GI, Endoscopy of the upper GI tract all were negative. My GI says I have IBS and an inflammed bowel.  I still suffer every day with symptoms.  They tell me to try to deal with it.  It is possible I have Celiac Disease?  What kind of a test can I have to see if I have that?

[elmer0508]

I've been gluten free since 05/05/09.  What a difference it has made in my life already!!  I can't believe it  My GI doctor pretty much told me there wasn't much wrong with me; it was all in my head.  Helloooo! Running to the bathroom constantly, distended abdomen, painful abdomen, oily stools...I mean I pretty much have every symptom of Celiac Disease is all in my head?  I'm angry that I've suffered so long without ever being told about this condition.  I can't wait to go to the doctor's next.  Shame on them for not even suggesting this!  I had to stumble across this by myself.  I want to tell everyone about this.  I'm actually able to have a life again.  All because I've changed my eating habits.  Thanks for commenting.  

[suki333]

just try going gluten free for a week or two, ususally you will feel better rapidly if it is.  i did an elimination diet and found i had celeac.  it was causing an arthritic condition in me, but it all resolved within days of being gluten free.
whats a week or two out of your life?

[CalGal]

Yes, it is possible you could have celiac disease. Consider doing a fecal antibody test from enterolab.com. In many cases it's more sensitive than either the blood tests or the supposed 'gold standard,' duodenal biopsy.

In the meantime, you could consider following a gluten-free diet and see if you feel better. Keep in mind that some celiacs cross-react to casein - the major protein in diary. So you may have to do a double exclusion diet to see results. It can take several weeks of staying away from wheat, rye, barley, oat and malt products to see results. And you have to be completely off all of those - no 'kind of' off them - to see if changes occur.