Irritable bowel or Celiac

by Marlene
(phila, PA,U.S.A)

About five years ago I started have terrible gas. It was so bad that it was embarrassing to be around other people. Even after it would pass it would fill up again. I did not know what was wrong with me. Eating or not eating did not seem to matter.

I went to the gastroenterologist and he did a colonoscopy and found nothing wrong except that my bowel was "large". He was not very helpful and the diet he gave me for irritable bowel only made things worse.

My symptoms got worse adding constipation and indigestion to the gas problem. Sometimes I would have stomach pains. I was miserable and at my wits end.

After five years of suffering I went back to a different gastroenterologist who suggested celiac disease even though my symtoms were not classic. The blood tests came back normal but I did not want to go through another colonoscopy or endoscopy at this time so I just went on a strict gluten free diet and thank god that was the answer to my prayers.

I really should have gotten the endoscopy to see if a diagnosis could be made but I know that sometimes the outcome is inconclusive and I just did not want to go through the tests. I will stay on the gluten free diet and hope all will stay well.