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Hello Everyone,

This is one of those situations where we are trying to determine whether
symptoms could have anything to do with celiac or not.  I hope that some
of you can at least tell us if the symptoms sound familiar.

My husband has biopsy diagnosed CD -- diagnosed about 2 years ago after
many years of misdiagnosis.

About 16 years before his diagnosis, he started having episodes where
his heartbeat would race, he would have tightness in his chest,  and
then he would nearly pass out.  After many tests, the only cause that
our doctor could come up with was stress and a slightly elevated thyroid
level.  Twice I took him to the emergency room and they did EKG's, etc.
and found nothing.  The second time, the ER doctor gave him a
nitroglycerin tablet to put under his tongue and we nearly lost him.  He
was apparently allergic to the nitroglycerin and his blood pressure
bottomed out and it was pretty scary.  No more nitro for him ever!!!

It seems to us that these episodes of rapid heartbeat were the beginning
of his CD symptoms.  Shortly thereafter, the heartburn started and
inflamation thru the gastrointestinal tract, followed by periodontal
problems, gall bladder function problems, nodules on his thyroid and low
bone mass -- all before he was diagnosed.

Our present family doctor says that the episodes of rapid heartbeat I
have described have nothing to do with his later diagnosis of celiac
disease.

Our daughter, now age 33, has been blood tested with negative results.
She has no gastro symptoms, but has chronic migraines and lately rapid
heartbeat.  The rapid heartbeat will wake her up during the night
beating 90-100 beats per minute.  She finds it very frightening.

She has had an EKG and been tested for thyroid problems with negative
results.  (Hyperthyroidism and diabetes also run on my husband's
paternal side.)

I suggested that she try the GF diet for 2-4 weeks and see if the
symptoms decrease.  I am hoping that she will give it a try.

Have any of you had this same symptom and can you relate it to celiac
disease?

Any input that you can give us will be greatly appreciated.  You have
all been so much help in the last two years.  We don't know what we
would do without you.

Happy Mothers Day to all of you moms out there!

Barbara in Illinois