Celiacs?

My sister has severe diagnosed celiac and her symptoms were very varied - stomach issues, rashes, arthritis, anemia, hair loss. I have not been diagnosed, but stopped eating gluten and cannot tolerate it (I would have to eat it to be tested, and since it makes me sick to eat it, I am fine with not being diagnosed, but I'm pretty sure I have celiac as well, as it runs in families). After giving up gluten, my arthritis got much better. I rarely have any stomach issues and haven't had as much as a cold since giving it up. I think much more clearly as well - my daughter, who tested as having a wheat sensitivity, had ADD like symptoms and after giving up wheat has improved greatly in her focus and attention. I will never go back to eating wheat, and even prefer a more paleo approach with no sugar or carbs. I feel much less sluggish and have a lot more energy and focus without it.

I have celiac and my life pre and post diagnosis is night and day. I am a completely different person. My friend who is also a celiac and i joke all the time about how we used to have Immodium stashed in our purses. Not a fun way to live. It's hard at first to get used to reading labels and being vocal in a restaurant about needing to be GF but after 7 years I could care less what other people think. Being GF is the only way to stay healthy for my kids. I had stomach issues, weight loss (I'm 5'10 and wore a size 0 - not cool!), gallbladder issues, arthritis, migraines. It was a whole host of oddities that no one could diagnose until I finally found a dr. willing to test for it. As for how the diet works out I would never go back to eating gluten again. Ever!

My husband was severely anemic for many years, had unexplained rashes and weight loss. They tested him for everything, especially colon cancer and stomach cancer. All the blood tests and biopsies for celiac came back negative, but his mother also had similar issues and had been avoiding gluten for years. Finally a genetic test revealed that he had the marker for gluten intolerance. He has been gluten free for about 3 years now and it has made a huge difference in his health.
I hope you find your answers soon.

My celiac test result was negative, but I am still sensitive/intolerant and have to follow a GF diet if I want to be comfortable. It's not particularly convenient, and people look at me like I'm just participating in the latest fad, but this is my life. My symptoms are real--lethargy, aching joints, sharp lower abdominal pains, rectal bleeding, chronic constipation, bloating and weight gain.