Appetite Control and Cravings

ConnieK · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Ollympia, WA

I went in for a celiacs test about a year ago and it came back negative. I had been sick (migranes, stomache ailments. sudden appearance of asthma, weight gain, and being very tired,) as well as this darn itchy rash.

I break out on the back of my hands and tops of my right foot mostly. Red blister like rash that itches and appears within 15-30 minutes after eating. I also get red, itchy spots else where but not as consentrated.

I went to doctor and she ordered allergy tests. They came back negative except for a mild reaction to mold. She said you don't have celiacs, and your not allergic to any common allergins. Just avoid foods that seem to bother you.

EVERYTHING???????

I felt dismissed. It completely destroyed my resolve to avoid gluten. Now, I am covered in a rash, am gaing wieght, suffer with mood swings, headaches, and stomach ailments. In desperation, I started searching online. I am thinking after reading this forum that maybe the celiac test results could have inaccurate. But wouldn't there have been an allergic reaction to wheat in the allergy tests?

So now I've been trying to obstain from gluten (just a few days) and have run into amazingly strong cravings for carbs, bread, pasta, stuff like that. I am also extremely hungry all the time. Has anyone run into this? Is it just me and a lack of discipline? Any tips or advice to help?

cruelshoes · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 2679 Location: Washington State

Hi, Connie. Sorry you are having a hard time. Gluten does have an opiate effect, making it hard to give up at first. See this post for more information. That could be part of what you are experienceing. Also, I don't know about you, but if I am told that I can't ever eat (insert food here) again, I want it more than I have ever wanted anything in my life. It is a bit of a mental hurdle to get over.

Can you tell me specifically what test were run on you and what the results were? Did they test you for Dermatitis Herpetiformis (skin test) or celiac disease (blood test)?

Celiac disease would not have shown up on allergy tests, because that type of test measures a hystological reaction. CD is an autoimmune response (intollerance) and not an allergy.

There are people who are intollerant to gluten, but to not have CD. You may be one of those people. Knowing what tests were done would be very helpful.
_________________
-Colleen
Dx 8/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
10-YO son Dx 11/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
Daughters (12 and 2) have neg. bloodwork

A woman is like a tea bag-you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water. - Eleanor Roosevelt

NorthernElf · Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 9:44 am Post subject:

Keep pluggin' along - and (ugh) keep eating gluten. Find another doc, get that rash looked at as it might be DH, a definite symptom of celiac.

The average celiac takes ELEVEN YEARS to get diagnosed. Confused

My doc seemed to think I didn't fit the profile (not emaciated and ill looking) and pooh poohed my symptoms and the idea that the culprit was gluten. Unfortunately, I cut it out of my diet and the blood test didn't pick it up.........mind you she didn't do the full panel (get the full blood panel !!). Months later when I had the scope they didn't biopsy as they were looking for damage from reflux, as I later found out, not for evidence of celiacs. Mad

Moot point I guess since gluten makes me quite sick, I sure as heck know what the problem is ! However, there is definitely peace of mind in getting a definitive diagnosis.

Interesting though - if your digestive tract is damaged by gluten (you are celiac), milk will likely bother you (lactose). Celiacs is an auto immune disease so other foods can begin to bother you too. PLUS - darn it if gluten isn't in just about everything, either as an ingredient or through cross contamination. For example, Canadian Smarties are contaminated with gluten (not in the ingredient list), while M&Ms are not. Rolling Eyes

Over time I have gotten more & more sensitive and these days tend to stick to labelled gluten free foods.

ConnieK · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Ollympia, WA

The test was a blood test, but she did not go into any detail about it. She just said she would test celiacs. I will call the office Monday to see if they can see exactly which test I had.

I am finding a similar situation in my life. I try to avoid gluten, and I will order a salad while my family has pizza and even before we leave, I am breaking out and can feel my stomache acting up, and wonder why I didn't just have some of that pizza? This seems to be the case alot. I try not eat gluten and find I am still sick. I am finding that gluten is in things I never thought. Unfortunately until now, I wouldn't think to check the ingredient list or call the company until after I became sick.

Definately a big learning curve here!

Question, how long does it take for the villa to begin to work and take up nutrients again after you've quit consuming gluten?

Thanks so much for the information, tips and support. You don't know how much I appreciate it. Don't feel quite so alone in this now.

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8783 Location: WI, USA