Guest guest Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 Hi, My mother suffered from severe diarrhea for years and it wasn't that that caused her to finally be diagnosed with CD about two years ago. She had had some surgery related to a botched hysterectomy where the Dr had removed some of her large intestine. That doctor had told her to expect this to affect her stools. So, she ignored the problem until things became so bad that they opted to give her a colostomy about 4 years ago! Even then, no one checked for celiac disease. Two years ago, she became anemic and started losing weight. She lost 50 pounds, about 10 pounds per month over a 6 month period (she was 68 at the time and this was a fairly dramatic medical situation for her). The doctors were completely puzzled for that 6 months. Then a GI doctor finally decided to do an exploratory procedure with a camera. Upon seeing the condition of her small intestine and stomach, he biopsied and she was diagnosed. According to several web sites, diarrhea could be due to a number of medical conditions. Most of them did not emphasize celiac disease (mentioning it almost as an afterthought) or did not mention it at all. Not knowing her prior history, without further tests, it would be premature to say she's got a problem with gluten. My advice: I would refer her to one of the Celiac national group web sites and ask her to look over the symptoms that people develop if they are celiac. Then let her decide what to do. But until she is tested, she may not want to drop gluten as that could affect subsequent tests. BTW, My mother has just finally gotten her stools back to normal and realizes that the diarrhea was caused by gluten. So, sometimes if you are really, really physically sick, dropping gluten from your diet may not result in an overnight cure. Joy > > I have a good friend who has been having severe diarrhea for about 3 > weeks. If this person didn't know me, I don't think she would ever > have thought about celiac disease. The problem is so bad that she is > taking Immodium daily, but hasn't limited her diet at all. She is > thinking about asking for some tests for celiac disease. > > Does anyone have any ideas about advice that I could give her? I > suggested a couple of things, like stopping all medications and then > gradually adding them back in, and doing a similar thing with food. > These suggestions were not taken well, and I'm not sure any others > would be, but it's worth a try. No weight loss so far. > > Thanks to all of you for any suggestions. This poor gal is really > suffering. > > Barbara in SoCal > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 Hi, My mother suffered from severe diarrhea for years and it wasn't that that caused her to finally be diagnosed with CD about two years ago. She had had some surgery related to a botched hysterectomy where the Dr had removed some of her large intestine. That doctor had told her to expect this to affect her stools. So, she ignored the problem until things became so bad that they opted to give her a colostomy about 4 years ago! Even then, no one checked for celiac disease. Two years ago, she became anemic and started losing weight. She lost 50 pounds, about 10 pounds per month over a 6 month period (she was 68 at the time and this was a fairly dramatic medical situation for her). The doctors were completely puzzled for that 6 months. Then a GI doctor finally decided to do an exploratory procedure with a camera. Upon seeing the condition of her small intestine and stomach, he biopsied and she was diagnosed. According to several web sites, diarrhea could be due to a number of medical conditions. Most of them did not emphasize celiac disease (mentioning it almost as an afterthought) or did not mention it at all. Not knowing her prior history, without further tests, it would be premature to say she's got a problem with gluten. My advice: I would refer her to one of the Celiac national group web sites and ask her to look over the symptoms that people develop if they are celiac. Then let her decide what to do. But until she is tested, she may not want to drop gluten as that could affect subsequent tests. BTW, My mother has just finally gotten her stools back to normal and realizes that the diarrhea was caused by gluten. So, sometimes if you are really, really physically sick, dropping gluten from your diet may not result in an overnight cure. Joy > > I have a good friend who has been having severe diarrhea for about 3 > weeks. If this person didn't know me, I don't think she would ever > have thought about celiac disease. The problem is so bad that she is > taking Immodium daily, but hasn't limited her diet at all. She is > thinking about asking for some tests for celiac disease. > > Does anyone have any ideas about advice that I could give her? I > suggested a couple of things, like stopping all medications and then > gradually adding them back in, and doing a similar thing with food. > These suggestions were not taken well, and I'm not sure any others > would be, but it's worth a try. No weight loss so far. > > Thanks to all of you for any suggestions. This poor gal is really > suffering. > > Barbara in SoCal > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 she could have giardia. I had that one time and it took 2 rounds of strong antibioctics to finally get it stopped. I had severe diarrhea for 6 weeks. Pam Friend with Diarrhea I have a good friend who has been having severe diarrhea for about 3 weeks. If this person didn't know me, I don't think she would ever have thought about celiac disease. The problem is so bad that she is taking Immodium daily, but hasn't limited her diet at all. She is thinking about asking for some tests for celiac disease.Does anyone have any ideas about advice that I could give her? I suggested a couple of things, like stopping all medications and then gradually adding them back in, and doing a similar thing with food. These suggestions were not taken well, and I'm not sure any others would be, but it's worth a try. No weight loss so far.Thanks to all of you for any suggestions. This poor gal is really suffering.Barbara in SoCal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 she could have giardia. I had that one time and it took 2 rounds of strong antibioctics to finally get it stopped. I had severe diarrhea for 6 weeks. Pam Friend with Diarrhea I have a good friend who has been having severe diarrhea for about 3 weeks. If this person didn't know me, I don't think she would ever have thought about celiac disease. The problem is so bad that she is taking Immodium daily, but hasn't limited her diet at all. She is thinking about asking for some tests for celiac disease.Does anyone have any ideas about advice that I could give her? I suggested a couple of things, like stopping all medications and then gradually adding them back in, and doing a similar thing with food. These suggestions were not taken well, and I'm not sure any others would be, but it's worth a try. No weight loss so far.Thanks to all of you for any suggestions. This poor gal is really suffering.Barbara in SoCal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 she could have giardia. I had that one time and it took 2 rounds of strong antibioctics to finally get it stopped. I had severe diarrhea for 6 weeks. Pam Friend with Diarrhea I have a good friend who has been having severe diarrhea for about 3 weeks. If this person didn't know me, I don't think she would ever have thought about celiac disease. The problem is so bad that she is taking Immodium daily, but hasn't limited her diet at all. She is thinking about asking for some tests for celiac disease.Does anyone have any ideas about advice that I could give her? I suggested a couple of things, like stopping all medications and then gradually adding them back in, and doing a similar thing with food. These suggestions were not taken well, and I'm not sure any others would be, but it's worth a try. No weight loss so far.Thanks to all of you for any suggestions. This poor gal is really suffering.Barbara in SoCal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 Yah, one big suggestion - she should see a doctor! There are LOTS of other causes for chronic diarrhea than celiac. There are bacteria, parasites, viruses. There are medicine side effects. There are food intolerances. And probably more. Esther in RI Former Immodium and Pepto Bismol junkie You don't know how FANTASTICALLY grateful the first time I discovered a 24-hour pharmacy!!!! > > I have a good friend who has been having severe diarrhea for about 3 > weeks. If this person didn't know me, I don't think she would ever > have thought about celiac disease. The problem is so bad that she is > taking Immodium daily.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! I knew I'd get some more good ideas here. For some reason the giardia seems like a possibility. This lady has a lot of medical problems, and her immunity is probably nil. I will tell her all the things you have mentioned, and to get to a Dr. I already told her to get to a Dr., but she doesn't always listen. Right now I am having a bit of diarrhea myself. All I can blame it on is all the fresh fruit I've been eating, as I haven't eaten out, and I KNOW I haven't eaten any gluten. Thanks again! Barbara in SoCal __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 Especially if she drinks well water. And doubly especially if there are beavers in the area. Esther in RI > > For some reason the > giardia seems like a possibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 Especially if she drinks well water. And doubly especially if there are beavers in the area. Esther in RI > > For some reason the > giardia seems like a possibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 Especially if she drinks well water. And doubly especially if there are beavers in the area. Esther in RI > > For some reason the > giardia seems like a possibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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