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Hi All!
I was OVERWHELMED with the response I got about constipation and wasting. I
am grateful!!!
I have extracted all of the responses (minus the authors names) for
everyone's perusal.....
Thanks (as always!!)
Yours sincerely,
Greg Bravo
[log in to unmask]
SUMMARY:
Yes, oh yes. It's considered atypical but constipation is a
well-documented symptom. Weight loss and wasting are typical but some cases
of celiac have presented as overweight. Check the expert postings
archives. They go into atypical symptoms at length.
I understand constipation could likely be a symptom (not one of mine),
but I lost 20 lbs between June and this past March suffering some
diarrhea-like symptoms. Both problems have stabilized since I started a
GF diet. Can't say that I'd recommend this for a weight loss program,
however.
Dr. Joe Murray, a gastroenterologist who specializes in celiac disease,
spoke at a conference I attended in NYC last November. He indicated that as
many adult celiacs suffer from constipation as diarrhea. (He may have said
more, but I'm not sure of that. )
I had about two years of constipation before I finally found a doctor who
realized that I could have constipation and have CD. I did losse weight but
not as much as most people who have this two. I also did not have discomfort
with my constipation, altho I only went every four of five days. I was very
anemic.
Now, after 12 years, if I eat something with gluten in I am apt to get
diarrhea, altho not always.
Yes all of the above apply
The answer to both of your questions is *yes*.
There are some places on the internet that you can print off some very
good information about this disease.
Some are: http://www.panix.com/~donwiss/
http://www.celiac.com/
http://cpmnet.columbia.edu/dept/gi/celiac.html
http://medicinenet.com/
I have been diagnosed with CD for about 2 months. I have never had the
typical symptoms of diarrhea and weight loss. In fact, I spent most of the
last 4 years with constipation, gas and weight gain. So, in answer to your
"delicate" question, CD can indeed manifest itself in other ways than
diarrhea and weight loss.
Yes, Greg:
Constipation is a symptom. I get painfully constipated myself.
Big bummer-ama!
Diarrhea, constipation & alternating diarrhea & constipation are the range
of symptoms.
Doesn't make it easy for our doctors to pin it down to CD, as other bowel
problems can cause anything in that range, too.
I have been diagnosed as a Celiac via blood tests and biopsy in January,
1997. Prior to that, I manifested both symptoms, although diarrhea was
more common than constipation. I was also often nauseated and prone to
vomiting.
Even though I have been on a gluten-free diet since January, I
occasionally still have the same symptoms.
I still cannot gain weight, so last week I have had additional biopsies
taken. This time of the lower portion of the small intestine. This is
so we may be able to determine if I've got the Refractory level of this
disease. I won't know the outcome of the tests until next week, but if
you're interested, send me a post and I will let you know.
I will be happy to give you any additional info I can if you inform me
of your areas of interest.
Frequently. Often constipation followed by diarrhea. Weight loss can be a
sign of villious atrophy (malabsorbtion) which we all know is a sign of CD.
I am not a medical professional.
I have just recently had to go for a biopsy and on a regular diet. For two
weeks now I have been constapated for four days I take a laxative and have
the runs for three days and back to constapation again. I had the biopsy
friday and am back to a gf diet. Weight lose is also common. I lost 4
pounds in one week eating anything in sight to help show damage for the
tests. Try eating a bag of popcorn without the butter flavor, I think that
is not gf. Take a laxitive only if you have to, it well work to good.
Hang in there, Don't be afraid to post your questions, that is what the
group is for. These fine people have saved my sanity. God bless and my
the lord be with you. remember you are not alone we are here for you.
When my daughter was diagnosed 9 years ago, constipation was more a problem
than diarrhea. Her pediatrician ignored other symptoms of Celiac and said it
couldn't possibly be that because she had no diarrhea. After seeing doctors
at Stanford Children's Hospital and Celiac was diagnosed, they told me that
either diarrhea or constipation is a symptom.
Yes, weight loss is a problem. When the nutrients can't get absorbed, they
are discarded by the body.
The answer is YES to both questions.
As to the 2nd question, weight loss, esp. in children is one of the
typical give-aways. The body essentially starves itself from
mal-absorption as the villi in the intestines go flat and do not premit
entry of digested food into the bloodstream. I know I am giving you a
VERY simplified explanation and I'm sure others on this list will tell
you more. Sorry.
Both of the above symptoms, however, are indicative of maybe half a
dozen other maladies. It's worth doing a thorough check. Everyone gets
constipated for periods of time, tho 10 days seems tome to be MOST
unhealthy and toxic to the body. The weight loss (without a diet) could
signal a more serious problem. I don't at all mean to worry you. I
never really liked the self-diagnosis people are prone to do on this
list. *I* think it's better to have objective proof of CD than to have
diagnosed it by circumstance.
That's just my opinion. I am not a medical person.
You''ll find all the needed info at;
http//www.fastlane.net/homepages/thodge/archive.htm
This is our listgroup archives. Be sure to read the Dr. Murray articals
(especially "celiac spectrum") and the FAQ. You will find the answer to
your questions are yes, yes, yes. If you decide to test its important that
you find a celiac experienced dr.
luck to you from TEX-SIS
Yes! Yes! Yes! to constipation. This has been my problem and I thought
I was unique. However, at the Univ. MD meeting last week, researchers
said that over 50% of celiacs present with constipation rather than
diarrhea (now that they are correctly diagnosing celiac by actual cause
rather than defining it as a diarrheal disease).
Reponding to your question on constipation/wasting and celiac's
disease....Yes!!constipation, and weight loss due to decreased GI
motility is a not so uncommon symptoms of celiac's disease. Our
Daughter deteriorated to 18 lbs at 18 months because of
constipation/decreased GI motility. In fact she would vomit most meals
because she was so impacted due to lact of motility to move things out.
Needless to say without the ability to process food she lost weight
quickly. After a positive biospy and antibody panel for celiac's
disease, she has completely recovered and three years later is "normal"
in growth and weight. Our GI specialist said it was not the first time
he had observed constipation with celiac's disease. To have doctors and
patients more aware of this connection might save time in the dianosis
of celiac's disease.
I was told for five years that I could not have CD because I suffered
from terrible constipation! Several others on this list have mentioned
the same thing. I did not have the weight loss but see it mentioned a lot
also.
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