Ppl who know about GI issues & gluten

[cleo29]

Perhaps. If you can, start keeping a food log and then when you have your episodes, especially if it happens right after eating something like a bad reaction to the food. This will identify the issue and will help the doctor.

[murdock]

IBS is commonly worse in the morning/very early hours of the day. Though it could be anything, like celiacs, colitis, crohns,etc.. or anxiety related. Diary is often a trigger for any of these, so maybe begin with altering that first (if you eat diary).

I'd definitely go to a gastroenterologist, and second the food journal. The doctor will also ask you TMI questions like when you get spasming or cramping, what color your stool is (yuck, I know), etc.. but make sure you know.

In the meantime, immodium is one of the best hold over alternatives.

[loveday]

Jan 12, 2013 10:07:53 GMT -5 mp said:

aw hugs. It could totally be gluten/Celiac related. and IBS is just a "catchall" generally, when they can't find a diagnosis for anything else.

You can do blood work to see if you're gluten sensitive - but it's not always 100%. For example, all of my blood work was normal even though I have celiac disease. It's the least invasive way to start, though.

Celiac can only be tested via endoscopy - a biopsy of your intestine.

You'll want to continue eating gluten while testing is happening so you don't skew the results ... but at the end of the day, treatment is the same for a Celiac/gluten intolerant person - you just don't eat gluten. I was "bad" and went off gluten before my biopsy ... within 2 days I had my first normal bowel movement (non-diarrhea). TMI but hey, you started it. So ... go to the dr. Ask at minimum for blood work to test for gluten/Celiac issues. And see if they think it might make sense to do an endoscopy.

Actually that's incorrect, there is a brand new blood test on the market now that is more accurate than the upper GI endoscopy and resulting biopsy.

I tested off the charts celiac just by bloodwork alone.

LGW, it takes about 2 weeks to really start seeing a difference. If you are concerned speak to your doctor and get tested. That's what I would do

[Deleted]

I had similar symptoms and it turns out I have GERD. I was diagnosed after and endoscopy and colonoscopy. I would go see a GI and get it all done, bloodwork, endoscopy, etc.. I originally thought I had gluten issues too but my issue is that my LES is lazy and it lets acid creep up my throat and it is slow to empty my stomach which gave me diarrhea all night long.

I hope you get some answers soon an definately start a food journal. Good luck!

[loveday]

I can't find the exact article I read it in, but this one gives a really good overview of the testing available:

www.celiac.com/articles/22565/1/New-Laboratory-Tests-for-those-with-Gluten-Intolerance/Page1.html

[Deleted]

I would definitely recommend starting on a food log now, because every GI doc I've seen has had a food log as Step #1 in looking for a pattern in symptoms. You want to list everything you eat and drink, how much of each thing, what time you eat it, what time you have any symptoms, what kind of symptoms they are, and how long the symptoms last.

[Doc_Lobster]

The thing about celiac is that the symptoms can be similar to any number of other illnesses. So sure, it sounds Iike it could be celiac, but it could also be a bunch of other stuff.

[Doc_Lobster]

Then definitely try a food diary.