CS after pregnancy

Islandgirl_Jen · Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Omaha, NE

Just a couple weeks ago I went to see my family Dr. because of chest cold. She told me that we can easily take care of that but she was more concerned about my weight loss. After talking more she decided to draw blood and run it against the celiac panel. The results were positive for CS, however, she still would like for me to meet with a G.I. Specialist to confirm. I have been doctoring with stomach ailments for over 11 years and gave up on the medical professions accepting this is the way my life is.

I have been blessed with 2 beautiful girls (14 months and 4 years) but for some reason my symptoms have magnified after each pregnancy. During my second pregnancy I became severely anemic and the doctor (not the same as above) just excused my tiredness to being pregnant over 30. The prescribed iron tablets gave me diarrhea, which the doctor had never heard of and made me feel as if I was making it up because the side effect is constipation. I look back now and thank God that the prenatal vitamins I selected were the Rainbow Light - Complete Prenatal Care, which by the way are gluten and wheat free. At the time gluten and wheat free meant nothing to me but now I can't help but wonder if my daughters would be as healthy as they are had I have not taken type of vitamin. As I've read through some of the other linked threads, my prayers go out to those who have miscarried as I can not imagine the pain you have gone through.

I pray this is finally the correct diagnosis and everything will straighten out by changing my diet. It has been so depressing not knowing what is wrong with me, only to know that I am too weak to really enjoy my girls. I go to bed the same time they do because I'm so tired and know that my stomach will have me running to the bathroom at 3:30am. Then wake up in the morning light headed and shaking with hunger only to eat and be cramped up with sharp pains.

Thank You to everyone who has contributed to this forum, what a wonderful resource this site is. It brings tears to my eyes and gives me peace inside knowing there is a group of individuals who understand what it's like to feel this way. I look forward to working through this with you.
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-Jen

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 12530 Location: WI, USA

Hi Jen,

Welcome to the board!! I am sorry that you have had to deal with this for that long. Sadly, 11 years, was the average length of time for diagnosis (dx) of CD. Currently that number is down to 9 years - that's still 9 too many. Being anemic should've been the docs 2nd clue, your stomach issues should've been his 1st.

Going to a Gastro is the next step. They will want to take some biopsies [they should be taking 10 to 12] of your small intestine to check for villi damage. You don't want to be GF just yet however.

If gluten truly is the cause, your anemia, your stomach issues, your fatigue, your light headedness should all but disappear once you've been GF for awhile. It certainly sounds like this doc is on the right track!!

Testing your family is also advised. CD is genetic, so look in your family or hubby's family or both for similar symptoms. I suspect you'll find them.

Jen, thanks for stepping out from the shadows and "into the light". If the GF Journey is the one you need to take, we'll be able to help make it as smooth as possible. I won't lie, there'll be some bumps and falls...but we'll be here to help pickup you up so you can keep traveling with us. We're all in this together, we're all traveling the same path.

Take care!! Please, keep us updated in your testing. When do you see the gastro?

If you haven't seen others stories, please check out Our Path's to Gluten Free-dom Thread
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Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

jayhawkmom · Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Posts: 851 Location: Midwest, USA

Ohhhh, I could have written (some of) your post, Jen!!

I have been plagued with "tummy troubles" most of my life. Once I entered my teens.... they stopped. When I was about 25 I started having issues again, however... nothing to write home about.

After the birth of my first two children... I was starting to have issues again. Once my third arrived, the proverbial sh*t hit the fan...and that's when I got VERY sick. Ironically, my third pregnancy was by FAR the easiest, most uncomplicated, and best pregnancy I'd experienced. And, labor and delivery were a dream.

I did not nurse my first two....but my goal in life was to nurse the third for an extended period of time. It was NOT easy...I had trouble from the get go, and was under a great deal of stress trying to force the issue.

After a week, I developed an infection and decided to pump through it... only, I wasn't able to master the pump, and I lost my supply - completely. And, then I started having SERIOUS stomach problems.

Here I am.... many months later, and much more knowledgeable.

I wish you well on your journey!!! The folks here have gotten me through some TOUGH times!!!

Islandgirl_Jen · Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Omaha, NE

Thank-You. I still have another week to wait before I have my initial consultation with the GI Specialist. What's comforting is this specialist has several CD patients. The last group of specialists that I had gone to years ago had me on so many different combinations of meds it was disgusting. I was up to 17 pills a day and just getting sicker.

I told my Mom that I think 2007 will be our family's health year. There are 4 of us children and all have been plagued with stomach issue. One of my brothers will be tested for CD towards the end of the month. The other brother was diagnosed last year with Crohns and spastic bowel. The youngest was told he has Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Then there are my girls. Kris, I have been fortunate enough to breastfeed both. The oldest was smooth sailing for me and I breastfed her 2 1/2 years. However, she was very colicky and when we introduced solids has had constipation issues, still to this date. My youngest I am still breastfeeding but have had to supplement as my supply is down. After doing alot of research I started mixing Rice Milk with my own to make up the quantity. She does well with the solids and doesn't have any stool problems but she is very gassy and uncomfortable at night.

Last night I did try my first gluten free/wheat free penne pasta and I was shocked that I didn't have that "carb coma" feeling a half hour later nor did it send me running to the bathroom.

Al, I am going to wait to go completely GF until after seeing the GI but I am going to begin eating more of it...just because it makes me feel good. Thanks again and I'll keep you posted.
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-Jen

ostrich · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 5404 Location: Nebraska

Woo, another Nebraskan! Welcome to the boards. Smile

I just wanted to say I like how your whole family is trying to figure out what's going on. That's really nice to hear.
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Ostrich :>--O==={

Time falls away, but these small hours
These little wonders still remain

isto · Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 3:33 pm Post subject:

Welcome to the board, Jen! My symptoms got worse after each pregnancy, also. I have a GP that thinks any symptom a woman has is just in her head because she's a woman. Rolling Eyes

Other than that little indiosyncrasy, I like him. Wink

But really, I hope you get the answers you need to get healthy. Diarrhea is NOT the norm, although I used to think the same thing! We are all here to support each other and learn from each other, so hopefully you will learn lots of stuff here. If you have questions, you have come to the right place - everyone on here is VERY helpful and there are a few who have extraordinary google powers!

cruelshoes · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 4059 Location: Washington State

Hi, Jen. I will add a "me too" to what everyone else has said. Feel free to ask any question you have. Most of the time at least one of us can come up with an answer. Very Happy

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-Colleen

Diagnosed 8/05 via bloodwork and biopsy
11-YO son diagnosed 11/05 via bloodwork and biopsy