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...PAM        [log in to unmask]

>           - Can cystic fibrosis and celiac disease be confused? Evan has no
>           respiratory problems.
>

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absolutely.  cystic fibrosis is a diarrheal, malabsorptive disorder.  so much
so that the diet required is several times the quantity of that for a normal
person.

at the end of the 19th century the diagnosis of 'consumption' was split into
'consumption of the lungs' and 'consumption of the bowel'.  'consumption of
the lungs' was mostly tuberculosis, and 'consumption of the bowel' was
renamed 'celiac syndrome'.  in the early 20th century 'celiac syndrome' was
divided into 'celiac disease' and 'cystic fibrosis'.  this split is still one
of the diagnostic steps.

the salty sweats smack of cystic fibrosis.  I hope not.
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  ***
YES to the CF and CD confusion.  Also, be sure to get the number from the CF
test.  Below a certain number (usually around 25 I think) and above another
number (this varies from one place to another, usually around 60 - 70) are
the negative and positive readings.  The gray area in between is the
borderline area and this is where my daughter is (her test is 46).  As a baby
no one mentioned the gray area and she was never seen at the CF clinic.When
she was 17 the test was repeated.  The years in between were a mess of
symptoms and illnesses.  Once she began the CF clinic she grew and became
healthy.

She is also gluten intolerant.  She does not have celiac disease but is
intolerant of gluten.  She is also somewhat lactose intolerant.  CF can
present with or without respiratory symptoms.  Sometimes there are no GI
problems and there are respiratory problems.  There is a group of infertile
men who are missing the vas deferens and this is their only symptom of CF.
Not everyone with CF has all the classic symptoms.

  ***
Cystic fibrosis can look like celiac (and vice versa) as both of them involve
malabsorption.  CF involves the pancreas, though, as well as the respiratory
system.  I just learned from my daughter's asthma specialist that cf can
occur on a continuum, with some kids having very severe symptoms, and others
less severe.  I also have heard that salty sweat was a red flag for cf.

  ***
...the sweat test was to rule out cystic fibrosis as it has very similar
symptoms to celiac disease but that Cody had no respiratory problems so they
were sure it would come back negative.  It did but his biopsy came back
positive, so we are GF now for almost 4 years.

  ***
My daughter was sick when she was 4 - 5 yrs old.  When the doctor started
doing testing of the 6 things he said could be wrong, one was CD and the
other cystic fibrois.  (sp) I questioned the cystic because she also didn't
have any respitory problems.  She was diagnosed with CD, had a bacteria
overgrowth(which is a area you will also want to check into), and
hypothroidism.

  ***
(My son) has Cyctic Fibrosis and Celiac as well.  Once we were o.k with the
diet he is 100% fine a wonderful 13 Y old teenager.  E mail me
[log in to unmask]  Judith

  ***
You asked about Cystic Fibrosis.  Apparently, CF has some common symptoms
with CD.  Its an easy test.They tape some gauze to his arm and put a jacket
on him and tell you to make him sweat.  In 80 degree weather in Fla.  thats
easy.  Just go out side and run around (bring water to drink!)  Then they
take the gauze and test the sweat in it for CF.