[leighann79]

I've finally decided to "force" DH to figure out what is going on with his digestive system. He knows something is up, but it's so easy to just live with it and not take action. So, as usual, his wife (me) has decided to try to take action. LOL
I'm going to try to give an overview of what is going on. This isn't all of it, but all I could get from him last night as we were talking. If anything isn't clear, just ask and I can ask him about it.

First off, his mother has ulcerative colitis. Her side of the family has quite a bit of autoimmune stuff diagnosed. Not sure how needed that info is, but I wanted to include it just incase.

Not sure where to start with his symptoms, so I'll just start listing them.
Diarrhea is almost "normal" for him. It is quite often that he has to run to the bathroom. He said it was better for a few months, but the past two weeks has been worse.
He can not eat before 9 in the morning (he is at work at 7am). If he does he gets bad stomach cramps. The only thing he has had luck eating first thing is pizza, but he usually just skips.
He has to go to the bathroom within 15 mins or so after eating. No matter what it is.
He has to quickly get to the bathroom every time he eats oatmeal (as a cereal or in cookies, etc)
He used to have terrible trouble after eating spaghetti, but now that he eats smaller portions, he doesn't have that trouble.

We've tried to pay attention and really can't find what sets him off. Oatmeal is the only thing he knows for sure will send him to the bathroom so quickly. He feels it's more like it takes up room and forces stuff out rather than "causing trouble" (as he put it). He also said that he knows he eats too fast (habit from work). He has a lot of gas along with the diarrhea trouble.

I hope at least some of that made sense. I'm trying to figure out where to start with helping him. I don't know whether to try to get him to get tested, try diet first or what. *sigh* For the record, I don't trust doctors much. They seem to never be able to figure anything out and then you wasted time and money. If that is the best way to go though, we'll do it.

Thanks for your time!

 

[Freefromitall]

celiac disease comes to mind. (warning: I just did a short paper on it, and it might be influencing me

)

Basically, it's an autoimmune disorder that is triggered by gluten, is often misdiagnosed, and his symptons *would* fit.

On the other hand, diahrea, upset stomach and excessive gas are soem of those symptons that can fit, well, a lot of stuff, unfortunately.

If you're interested, feel free to PM your email address, and I can send my paper. Like I said, it was just a short project, more of summary on the disorder and treatment, but the "Works Cited" page might be helpful.

 

[deditus]

I would have to agree with pp. Celiac disease is grossly underdiagnosed and your dh has very typical symptoms, especially with a family history of autoimmunity. He should have a celiac blood panel done first and foremost.

 

[kjbrown92]

Gluten intolerance or celiac is what I though of as well. Oats are often cross contaminated with wheat.

The top 4 food intolerances are dairy, soy, gluten, and corn. Unfortunately they're in about 90% of what regular people eat, so it's hard to figure out what's the cause.

A friend of mine has the same problem though that she can't eat before about 9am or else she gets nauseous. I'd never heard of anyone else having that.... and I've never heard of that associated with celiac.

 

[leighann79]

Yeah, I know it could be a lot of things. That's why I'm looking for guidance at where to start.

Would we mention the celiac blood panel to our regular dr? I assume he would then refer us to who we need to go to?

If it would be gluten intolerance or celiac would working in a flour mill affect it any?

 

[kjbrown92]

It would if he's breathing it in all the time. Yikes, what a horrible thought. To find out you're allergic to your job!

A regular doctor would do the celiac blood panel. If they wanted to do the biopsy (gold standard, but you have to be consuming gluten regularly at the time of the test), a GI doctor would do it.