Help with gluten free diet

by Melanie
(Gastonia, NC)

I have not been diagnosed with Celiac, but I have been diagnosed with a wheat allergy in the early 90's.

Back then, this was a lot to even find out...so after tons and tons of research I started a gluten free diet. Imagine, no labeling help, no health food stores available for help and lack of information. I was lost and hopeless.

My mom began cooking everything from scratch and avoiding all the "good stuff" and cooking with water, etc. I have slipped away from that with the current findings and packages available that are "gluten-free" and I have suffered horribly this last year.

I am only 23 and suffer from severe symptoms of IBS, bloody stools, and horrible belly bloating. I have never been a big person and I can't even fit into my clothes by the end of lunch because I bloat so big and lose all my energy.

Also, my weight fluctuates terribly. I feel like if I eat one thing, I gain 5 pounds and this is not me. However, I can't recover by sleeping because I am stuck working.

I am lost. I don't want to go to the Gastro doctor that doesn't know my situation and run me through 1000's of testings to find that I can't eat gluten and write it on paper.

I am asking for some help.

Are these symptoms normal? I go through a week of great energy, I go to the gym 3-4 times that week in between work and class. Then other weeks I can't even get out of bed to get ready for work, it takes everything out of me.

Lastly, not to get graphic I have foul b.m's and about 2-3 per day.

That doesn't seem normal, and the fact there is blood...not good. Can you give me direction in eating, what kind of specialist to go to, and maybe a celiac meeting group contact for charlotte nc?

Thanks so much and sorry for all the details but I'd appreciate anyone's help!