Celiac Disease.
An autoimmune, genetic condition affecting 1/133 people in the United States.
I have suffered with symptoms that have been treated as "other" digestive conditions since 1986. Western Medicine has wanted to mask the symptom and not test for the CAUSE of the issue.
Symptoms show up as a method the Body uses to COMMUNICATE with you that something is WRONG.
Mainstream Medicine wants to call each symptom it’s own condition, pharmaceutical companies create drugs to treat the “conditions” that are really symptoms of a BIGGER issue.
Going to the ER 2 times in the month of February because my Primary Care doctor thought I was having a heart attack with the symptoms that I was having. I was referred to 2 Cardiologists to have EKG's, Echo Cardiograms, Treadmill Stress Test all to be told that I did indeed have heart disease and would need to go in for a Angiogram within 2 days to alleviate my chest pains. Instead of having the Angiogram that is an invasive procedure, I opted & fought to have a Coronary CT Scan that looks at the Vessels, Chambers, and Heart Function just as the Angiogram does. (Insurance does not readily pay for this procedure as they deem it Investigative, yet they will pay for an Angiogram & hospital stay).
Low and Behold, the Coronary CT Scan showed NO SIGNS of Heart Disease and showed a Hiatal Hernia was causing all the symptoms that mimic a Heart Attack.
Next step in my crazy journey was to the Gastroenterologist, who performed a Endoscopy. The results from that were devastating..... a Grade III Gastroesophageal Flap Valve (worst rating is a IV)and severe erosions in my esophogus. The erosions were causing the Chest Pains and NOT an Hiatal Hernia. I was prescribed Omeprazole to control the chest pain and heal the erosions.No dietary retrictions. Just medicate and go away.... can't see this doc again for 2 months due to the busy schedule he keeps. Still in PAIN.Food is my enemy.
I finally found a practitioner that would get to the root of the problem, blood work was finally done and GUESS WHAT?! I have Celiac's Disease. The Celiac's Disease led to the Grade III Gastroesophageal Flap Valve and the Esophagus Erosions. Celiac's Disease is an Auto Immune Disease that the body thinks it is under attack when fed Gluten, Wheat, Barley and Rye. Interestingly, the Omeprazole prescribed by the Gastro Doc has GLUTEN in it. WHAT????
Back to my symptoms...... dealing with them for almost 30 years and Western Medicine "doesn't know how to treat it, without medicines". I kept the doctors schedules full with all the appointments I had to try and feel better. Naturopathic medicine focuses on holistic, proactive prevention and comprehensive diagnosis and treatment. Naturopathic physicians help facilitate the body’s inherent ability to restore and maintain optimal health. It is the naturopathic physician’s role to identify and remove barriers to good health by helping to create a healing internal and external environment.
So very thankful to finally know what is the cause of all my issues.
Celiac Symptoms
There are more than 300 symptoms of celiac disease, and some people may experience no symptoms at all. Learn about the varying symptoms and how different people are affected.
Here is a partial list:
Symptoms:
- General:
- Fatigue
- Generalized ill feeling
- Frequent colds & illnesses
- Anemia, usually resulting from iron deficiency
- Reduced functioning of the spleen (hyposplenism
- Loss of bone density(osteoporosis) or softening of bone (osteomalacia)
- Damage to dental enamel
- Neurologic:
- Headaches and fatigue
- Numbness/Tingling
- Memory/Concentration Problems (Brain Fog)
- Nervous system injury, including numbness and tingling in the feet and hands
- Possible problems with balance
- Gastrointestinal:
- Acid reflux and heartburn
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Pain
- Bloating
- Gas
- Cramps
- Vague non-specific abdominal complaints
- Hormonal:
- PMS
- Alteration in menstrual cycles
- Correlated with thyroid disorders
- Infertility
- Musculoskeletal:
- Muscular Pain
- Knots ( Fibromyalgia like symptoms)
- Back pain
- Joint pain
- Skin:
- Nonspecific rashes
- Eczema
- Itchy, blistery skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis)
There are NO pharmaceutical cures for celiac disease.
A strict gluten-free diet is the only treatment for celiac disease.
Hoping the new diagnosis will lead me to feeling good and being able to function to my fullest capacity.
My next post will be about my next steps.
References: