Misdiagnosed with IBS

Posted , 5 users are following.

Hello all, i am newly diagnosed with ibs about 2-3 weeks ago. I am starting to think i am misdiagnosed and may have whats known as Celiac disease. I think this because i also had an ultrasound and blood tests. I had elevated liver enzymes and this was confirmed to be fatty liver based on the ultrasound results. Also gallbladder sludge was found on the ultrasound. I will say i am not a drinker because im 19 years old. So i was doing some research to find a correlation between Fatty liver, gallbladder sludge and IBS symptoms. I came across celiac because with it you are more prone to devoloping gall bladder and liver issues (along with other issues). So unless I am the unluckiest 19 year old kid ever having all these issues and being a physically fit guy and maintaining a pretty healthy diet i would say Celiac would be an option to consider. I want to see what you guys think before i get tested, does this sound like celiac or what? Also i want to post this because my Gastroenterologist does say IBS is common it can often be misdiagnosed. So if youre an individual like me who hasnt been benefitting too much from some of these medicines or eating better i would talk to your doctor about celiac. 

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi John:

    I found your post very interesting.  I had what acted like of IBS-d.  I lost 15 lbs in 3 weeks and it seemed like everything I ate went right thru me.  I saw a gastroenterologist who suggested a test for celiac spru (via endoscopy including a small snip of tissue from my small intestines) to rule out celiac.  The symptoms are almost the same as IBS-d.  My test results were positive for celiac.  It is an autoimmune disease where the body cannot break down gluten (a protein that is contained in wheat, oats, barley and rye).  The condition is something you can check easily for yourself to save yourself from a costly procedure.  If you can eat any food containing one or a multiple of the grains I mentioned above without having to either vomit or run to the bathroom, you probably do not have celiac. It's worth an experiment on your part by eating a grain product -- bread, pasta, etc. to see if you get a reaction.  I was on a gluten free diet for over 2 years.  I couldn't even chew a stick of gum because it's coated with wheat.  I also had a rash that lasted that long.  Then, like magic it went away.  But I still am very sensitive to wheat.

    And yes, my gastro told me that IBS is used like an umbrella term because the symptoms mimic many other conditions. 

    I too think I have been misdiagnosed with stress induced IBS-a (alternating b & c).  After doing my own research taking all my symptoms into consideration, I think I have what is known as Bile Acid Malabsorption (BAM).  I read that 1 in 3 people are misdiagnosed with IBS who actually have BAM; especially people who have had their gall bladder removed and have a fatty liver.  I qualify.   You might want to do research on BAM.  Just a thot.  Thanx for the post.

     

    • Posted

      Thats something i should definitely consider looking into you're absolutely right. As it it still quite possible i have IBS im looking into other things. But as for the running to the bathroom i have had times just like that. I have had to run to the bathroom in the middle of a meal sometimes or right after. I cannot exactly remember what it is i ate everytime but i will be sure to keep a food diary of what i eat from now on. And i also want to consider a few other auto immune disorders like i said the chance of me having fatty liver, gall bladder sludge at the same time is very unlikely unless it co exists with another autoimmune disorder. But i guess really my main symptoms that tend to cause discomfort are sometimes i will need to run straight to the bathroom right after or while im eating which can make it hard to eat out. But now that i think about it while typing I do recall being out to eat at olive garden and eating a pasta and during the meal i just felt way too full and i went to the bathroom due to nausea and bloated feeling. Its weird sometimes I can only eat a small meal and then sometimes i find myself devouring everything in my pantry lol. But i will have to keep BAM in mind and ask my gastroenterologist about it. Thank you for your response it is appreciated

  • Posted

    If you had celiac you would react to gluten which is found in many foods especially wheat and other grains.  You would also have have bloating. It ls also possible to have IBS along with the other conditions that were picked up on your scans.  It is common to doubt your IBS diagnosis.
    • Posted

      I forgot to mention my symptoms, my apologies but yes i do experience bloating as one of my many symptoms.
    • Posted

      If worried about celiac. you could ask for a blood test just to rule it out. I was tested for celiac and it was negative.  I was diagnosed with IBS which can also cause bloating.  Luckily, I don't have this symptom.

    • Posted

      It is definitely something to consider, as my gastroenterologist stated that i should be tested for it if i were not feeling better with change in diet and exercise along with a probiotic. Thanks for your response it has definitely given me things to consider.
    • Posted

      I wouldn't worry if probiotics don't help you.  Probiotics don't suit everyone. I find change of diet aggravates my stomach whereas for some people it works.

  • Posted

    Your Dr did blood tests, if they did a celiac test then it would have shown up. Unless you have asymptomatic coeliacs (which is very rare) you would be very ill and dropping weight as your body can't absorb nutrients from food. Bike acid malabsorbtion is also most likely if you have had your gall bladder removed, which you haven't.

    It is quite possible to have fatty liver and be healthy if it is a hereditary condition, or you just happen to have a predisposition for it.

    IBS sucks but you just have to get on with it.

    • Posted

      He did do blood tests but it was just a complete blood count so it wasnt able to rule out celiac. However with the cbc we were able to rule out anemia and a few other things. And also no signs of fatty liver anywhere in family. But youre still right I could have fatty liver unrelated to my digestive troubles. I still have reason to believe IBS is still a possibility but I am currently looking into other diseases/disorders. Also I should add that my brother was never diagnosed with celiac or other issues he did say some of his digestive troubles went away after avoiding gluten. Just a few possiblities my doctor and I should consider. But thank you for your post.

       

  • Posted

    Yes I think that you are right to worry about an IBS diagnosis - always suspicious to me and especially when you have these other issues going on. Celiac is one possible answer but so many auto immune diseases have the same overlapping symptoms. Best get referred to a rheumatologist or immunologist to get a better picture of what is going on. 

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