Jamtart98

Advice please fellow ex-pats.
Very recently I was diagnosed with Coliac Disease.This was after my iron in the blood count was fractionally below the minimum measurement six months after taking iron supplement pills prescribed by my doctor.A further Blood and Faeces analysis taken by a Digestion Specialist confirmed I was still fractionally below the minimum.During a few questions and answers before the analysis was taken I said I OCCASIONALLY suffered from heartburn and my weight dropped by a few ounces from time to time.These factors led to the Specialist informing me that I had Coliac Disease and as of that day had to adapt to a strict gluten free diet for the rest of my life.I had an endoscope test done on my stomach which revealed no other problems.

I have to visit the Haemotology Dept. in Marbella next week and they too took an analysis of my blood which presuambly we will discuss next week.

I will probably wait until after that appointment but I am not convinced I have this illness as I am in good health and suffer no stomach problems,blotchy skin,fatigue and friends frequently comment on how well I look.
Would you advise me to seek another appointment with the Digestive Specialist re my doubts and ask for another analysis and if necessary a second opinion?

I am wary of the problems these situations can sometimes induce.

Any advice gratefully accepted.

P.S. No "biscuit" wisecracks please!

Rosemary

My OH has to have regular transfusions due to not being able to maintain his iron, he takes iron supplements, has no internal bleeds etc. His is mainly due to his operations and difficulties since, however we have looked into this ourselves and found that if your vitamin B12 levels are not good this stops you absorbing the iron. Also I believe that if your pancreas is not working sufficiently well (he does not have one now) this also inhibits the iron being absorbed.

If you are not convinced I would ask for a second opinion. Have you checked on the internet for the symptoms of the disease and compared it with your problems?

Rosemary

Rosemary

I know you said no biscuit wise cracks but your user name amuses me.

Rosemary

jojojojojo

We've discussed bits and pieces about this via PM havent we. The official diagnosis in simple terms is that wheat/gluten can affect the little hairs (villi) in the lining of the intestines (it dissolves them??), These hairs are responsible for absorbing the goodness out of what you eat. Obviously if they are destroyed then that doesnt happen and you show signs of malnutrition - which may not be full weight loss, but it certainly means that you will not get the nutrients, vitamins, minerals into your system. It very much depends on how bad you have it tho. Some people get inflamation in their intestines and that causes pain and an upset tummy. I would suggest you avoid gluten for a couple of months and see if it makes a difference. Its so difficult when "experts" diagnose things and it doesnt ring true - The one thing I havent mentioned to you is that altho my mother was diagnosed with coeliacs for several years and yes, I know she had it. When she started getting the symptoms back some years after diagnosis, the "experts" insisted she was finding some hidden gluten in her food and so they didnt follow up - until they eventually investigated and she actually had colon cancer and it was too late by then!

So anyway, I think your answer is to go gluten free totally for a couple of months and see if it helps with your absorption??? But tell the consultants that you're not convinced, afterall Anaemia can be caused by lots of things????!!

Just my thoughts on the subject

Jo

Jamtart98

Thanks again Jo.

I suppose I,m finding difficult not being able to eat the things I love to eat!!!
I was at the Feria del Pueblos yesterday and it "broke my heart" not being able to try the foods from various countries and of course our tapas!

I,m sorry to hear what happened to your mother and of course the medics do err at times.

I do have to go for another analysis in July to check the progress of the gluten free diet so as you suggest I will wait until then and in the meantime should the Haemotolgy people give me any different information I will go and see the Digestion Specialist again.

Thanks again Jo for taking the time to reply.

Ronnie xx

Jamtart98

Thanks Rosemary.

Yes I,ve poured over the Internet this last couple of weeks seeking information on the disease and I,ve received some very helpful advice.Particularly from a lady in Torreblanca who is a sufferer and whose mother suffered badly with it.

My brother has had it for five years now so I,ve had some advice from him too.

As Jo suggests I will wait until after my next analysis in July and see if there is any difference then I,ll discuss it again with the Digestion Specialist.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Ronnie

P.S. I did,nt link my user name with my "no biscuit jokes" request! Spot on for making the connection!
It actually is the nickname of the football team I support in Scotland-Hearts-rhyming slang Jamtarts.

moneypenny20

You sound to me as though you are just Anaemic and could maybe have a very small gastric ulcer. Certainly doesn't sound that Coeliac Disease. You shouldn't start on the Gluten Free diet until the diagnosis is confirmed as any further tests will have a false reading of your 'natural' state. If you're feeling fit and healthy I wouldn't worry about it

jojojojojo

Fuengirola??! I love the Feria del Pueblos!!! You dont need to tell me about the heart break of not being able to eat stuff - you get used to it and if you're like me you can occasionally eat baddies.....and pay the price!! But, for you at the mo, its only as a form of elimination. Hopefully they'll find its something fairly simple and something else.

PS, I dont know if you're overweight, but I lost 6 stone!

Jo xx

Jamtart98

Yes Jo it,s very tempting just to say "one little churros or tapa won,t make any difference" is,nt it.
I,ll try and be "good" for now but resistance is low!!! LOL.

No I can,t afford to lose weight. I,m slightly below what I should be but I,ve always been like that....slim.

I,m eating a lot of potatoes and veg as well as fruit so hopefully that will keep my weight level.

Lentils with potatoes and veg today!!!

Ronnie xx

Jamtart98

Thanks for replying MOneypenny,

Hopefully it is just anaemia.

I had an endoscope and there are no problems with my stomach so that is gratifying.

As two analysis have indicated iron deficiency I,ll have to go along with their diagnosis and treatment for now with a view to challenging it after the next analysis result on Monday or the one in July.

Fortunately I can still drink the odd Vodka...with Martini of course and ssshaken not sshhtirred!!!!lol.

Rosemary

Here is a link that I have just received from Amazon that I thought might give you food for thought.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/r.html?R=...d%3D1000640123

Rosemary