need help
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35 years ago I had problems with my stomach after lots of tests magic eye etc. they said its just a nervous stomach I've been on zantac ever since 6 years ago I had a very bad chest infection it took 3x double doses of antibiotics 2 courses of steroids to get it under control 3 years ago I was diagnosed with sleep apnea after 6 years I still feel ill symptoms are headaches' lose stools for the last 6 years aching all over feeling sick pains in stomach week no energy what so ever if I put the bin out its like I just run a 10k marathon I thought the cpap machine would have sorted me how wrong I was I'm also on depression tablets I'm sick of going to doctors every time she sends me for blood tests they come bk with something different abnormal folic acid etc.the latest one is low iron I spend most of my life sleeping any suggestions please
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jasmine19000 chris31685
Posted
Chris I am so sorry to hear you've been through so much. Health problems really reduce your quality of life. All of your newer symptoms could reflect the amount of medications you've been put on. In all honesty I do believe it can make things worse sometimes. Doctors are led too heavily by the pharmaceutical industry, and there's some pretty scary things going on, as far as they're concerned.
But you're here, you've obviously thought about coeliac.
The deficiencies, lethargy, mood, stomach pain and bowel movement all sound like coeliac. I have had antidepressants for nearly a decade (I'm off them now) and always felt worse when I was on gluten. However, either way, you should organise for an endoscopy to check for coeliac (don't bother with the blood test; there have been too many cases of false-negatives), and I would honestly keep a second or third opinion in mind for treating everything. Perhaps someone else has a better answer that may mean you're not put on so much medication. If you can get a referral to a nutritionist - they're specialists who work specifically with these sorts of things - a GP is just that.. general and quite often not knowledgeable enough in the right areas you need them to be. You could find yourself feeling a lot better sooner.
I really wish you all the best, and hope that you get some answers soon so you can start enjoying life again.
Good luck
chris31685 jasmine19000
Posted
thank u for the response I am only on 10mg of citalopram now as I have cut them down and lanzaparol (zantac) but if I miss taking that I know about it I'm in agony my wife thinks I may have coeliac as I got almost all the symptoms I'm changing my doctor atm as its impossible to get an appointment to see my doctor
jasmine19000 chris31685
Posted
Zantac is a bit of a tricky one to be on. It's highly addictive, so it makes sense why you'd really feel it if you miss one. I refused to go on it as it has extreme side effects. Just bear in mind depression is a side effect of coeliac so if you are, it could be worthwhile (after you've settled in to a coeliac diet/treatment) to look at being transferred to a lighter form of antidepressant - just make sure they're clear on how to do it as some cannot be taken at the same time and require you to be weaned off one before starting the other. I hope that makes sense.
I think it's a good idea to see a new doctor, but obviously if you don't know them it might take a while to find one that sits well with you. Definitely look into an endoscopy though, it can't hurt to find out. And then you will have the support system you've probably needed all this time.
Good luck Chris. Don't give up, I'm sure you're going to find the answers and solutions you're looking for!
chris31685 jasmine19000
Posted
marg04364 chris31685
Posted
Hi Chris You need to keep eating gluten.. at least 4 serves a day (equivalent to 4 slices of bread) for at least 6 weeks before you have an endoscopy. Otherwise you could get a false negative. Coeliacs become deficient in many vitamins and minerals which cause many other problems, If it is coeliac disease, once you are diagnosed and go on a gluten free diet you will notice a huge difference within 3 weeks. THEN you may need to take supplements.. There is no point taking supplements while still consuming gluten as you don't digest them. Calcium can cure sleep apnoea. If you have restless legs it is a sign of magnesium deficiency. Take the recommended dose of calcium earlier in the day, separate to magnesium, for it to work.
annick98074 chris31685
Posted
after reading all the initial answers, I confer that seeing a gastroenterologist is you next step asap so you may have an endoscopy performed. stay on your regular diet, gluten included until you are tested and do have the blood tests as well. you may be found not to have Coeliac disease but rather found gluten intolerant. the treatment is the same; one must avoid gluten 100 per cent of the time to improve one's health, that along with a healthy lifestyle, some exercise, moderate alcohol consumption, no smoking. gluten is not good but it's not the only solution.
best wishes for your recovery!
chris31685
Posted