# PSA: IBS sufferers, ask your doctor about Celiac **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 4, 2012, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psa-ibs-sufferers-ask-your-doctor-about-celiac/642932 "2012-12-04T04:15:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psa-ibs-sufferers-ask-your-doctor-about-celiac/642932/1 "2012-12-04T04:15:21Z")
Yeah, I know that it seems trendy, but seriously. Tell your doctor your symptoms and ask if you should be tested. Yes, even if you think you know your triggers for IBS. Even if you think it’s just that you can’t eat onions or tomatoes or greasy food. It may be that you can eat everything but gluten. The test(s) might come back negative. My blood test did. If that happens, you can still try a gluten-free diet for a while and see if that helps. But you have to start by getting tested while you are still eating gluten. Obviously, if you have really mild IBS, you may not want to bother, but if it’s severe, talk to your doctor! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psa-ibs-sufferers-ask-your-doctor-about-celiac/642932/2 "2012-12-04T05:25:55Z")
I’ve wondered about that. My doctor came to the conclusion that I have IBS from ruling pretty much everything else out; I’ve taken mustard and black pepper out of my diet and feel much better, but still not 100%. But what is the point of getting tested if the tests might come back with a false negative anyway? ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psa-ibs-sufferers-ask-your-doctor-about-celiac/642932/3 "2012-12-04T06:21:40Z")
IBS. Psshh. As if. I’m suffering from “MMM”; made-up malady malaise. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psa-ibs-sufferers-ask-your-doctor-about-celiac/642932/4 "2012-12-04T07:27:35Z")
Does it apply to both IBS C and D? ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psa-ibs-sufferers-ask-your-doctor-about-celiac/642932/5 "2012-12-04T15:26:37Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > But what is the point of getting tested if the tests might come back with a false negative anyway? Most medical tests CAN come back with a false negative. In my case, I am not claiming to have a false negative. If I had done it right, I would have gone to a specialist and had further testing before going off gluten, simply because I fit the profile so well. But instead, I went off gluten, felt so much better, and now would struggle to go back on gluten to finish the testing. This isn’t really ideal. In any case, I may have Celiac, or I may have a gluten intolerance. All I know is that I am not sick all the time now that I’m not eating it. > [@AaronX](#): > > Does it apply to both IBS C and D? It does. There are also a host of other symptoms. And get tested for nutritional deficiencies at the same time. I, for example, have a Vitamin D deficiency, which is common with Celiac (though again, I do not have a diagnosis of Celiac). ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psa-ibs-sufferers-ask-your-doctor-about-celiac/642932/6 "2012-12-04T16:22:48Z")
Moved from MPSIMS to IMHO, our forum for threads with medical advice, anecdotes, and diagnoses. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psa-ibs-sufferers-ask-your-doctor-about-celiac/642932/7 "2012-12-05T03:23:34Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Most medical tests CAN come back with a false negative. In my case, I am not claiming to have a false negative. If I had done it right, I would have gone to a specialist and had further testing before going off gluten, simply because I fit the profile so well. But instead, I went off gluten, felt so much better, and now would struggle to go back on gluten to finish the testing. This isn’t really ideal. > > In any case, I may have Celiac, or I may have a gluten intolerance. All I know is that I am not sick all the time now that I’m not eating it. Ah, I see. I thought you had been tested and it came back negative then you stopped eating gluten and felt better. 🙂 > [@](#): > > It does. There are also a host of other symptoms. > > And get tested for nutritional deficiencies at the same time. I, for example, have a Vitamin D deficiency, which is common with Celiac (though again, I do not have a diagnosis of Celiac). I tested low for vitamin D too - I thought that was just a symptom of being Canadian. I really should try eating no gluten - I love bread so much, though! I guess it would be good to know if I am intolerant of gluten, though. “Made up malady malaise?” The IBS might not be real (as I said, it was a diagnosis by way of eliminating everything else), but the pain and problems are real. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psa-ibs-sufferers-ask-your-doctor-about-celiac/642932/8 "2012-12-05T03:31:41Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I’ve wondered about that. My doctor came to the conclusion that I have IBS from ruling pretty much everything else out; I’ve taken mustard and black pepper out of my diet and feel much better, but still not 100%. > > But what is the point of getting tested if the tests might come back with a false negative anyway? My doctor felt the same way and so I’ve never been tested. But I feel a lot better not eating wheat products, so I don’t. It might be celiac. It might be just an intolerance. Might even be all in my head. But whatever it is - eat wheat, get IBS - don’t eat wheat, GI system works like a normal persons. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psa-ibs-sufferers-ask-your-doctor-about-celiac/642932/9 "2012-12-05T04:17:26Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Ah, I see. I thought you had been tested and it came back negative then you stopped eating gluten and felt better. 🙂 That’s exactly what happened, but there are gluten intolerances that don’t rise to the level of Celiac. Celiac actually causes damage to the small intestine, and the gold standard of testing is to have a biopsy of the intestine while having gluten in your diet. I have not had that biopsy, and likely won’t because I tried going back on gluten and it was extraordinarily painful, and I’m a wimp! But for people who are still eating it, getting a blood test and, if positive (or negative under some circumstances), having the biopsy is really the best way for knowing exactly how cautious you have to be about gluten. I know that gluten bothers me, but I can’t tell you if gluten is damaging my body. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psa-ibs-sufferers-ask-your-doctor-about-celiac/642932/10 "2012-12-05T12:44:52Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > IBS. Psshh. As if. I’m suffering from “MMM”; made-up malady malaise. Jaimie, IBS, celiac,and gluten intolerance actualy do exist. Please educate yourself. Yes, there are hypochondriacs who pretend to suffer, but that just makes actual sufferers of various disorders more miserable when the ignorant poo-poo their maladies. Celiac can be diagnosed via biopsy, which would be really hard to fake or explain away as the result of delusions or fakery. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psa-ibs-sufferers-ask-your-doctor-about-celiac/642932/11 "2012-12-05T13:56:28Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Jaimie, IBS, celiac,and gluten intolerance actualy do exist. Please educate yourself. Yes, there are hypochondriacs who pretend to suffer, but that just makes actual sufferers of various disorders more miserable when the ignorant poo-poo their maladies. > > Celiac can be diagnosed via biopsy, which would be really hard to fake or explain away as the result of delusions or fakery. I am not suggesting that IBS is a “fakers” illness, rather it is a diagnosis reached when no other diagnosis can be determined; sort of like “chronic fatigue syndrome” or the like. I myslf have been diagnosed with IBS and trust me, I suffer from no such malady. LOL at the educate myself. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psa-ibs-sufferers-ask-your-doctor-about-celiac/642932/12 "2012-12-05T14:17:54Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > …but that just makes actual sufferers of various disorders more miserable when the ignorant poo-poo their maladies. I see what you did there. I started having a lot of stomach issues last spring and just dealt with them for quite a while before I cut out gluten and dairy. Once I did, problems pretty much cleared right up. It leads me to think it might be Celiac disease, because the gluten intolrace from it can in turn lead to lactose intolerance. I probably should get the tests, since people who do have CD have a higher risk of intestinal cancer. It really hit home lately, because I have a former co-worker who is going to die before New Years from colon cancer. She spent a long time (year or more?) dealing with her symptoms as IBS or the like, and when she finally got a colonoscopy they discovered stage 3 cancer. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psa-ibs-sufferers-ask-your-doctor-about-celiac/642932/13 "2012-12-05T17:05:24Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > I am not suggesting that IBS is a “fakers” illness, rather it is a diagnosis reached when no other diagnosis can be determined; sort of like “chronic fatigue syndrome” or the like. I myslf have been diagnosed with IBS and trust me, I suffer from no such malady. LOL at the educate myself. Let me see if I can follow your logic here. You don’t have IBS, because it’s not a real disease. So that means you can’t possibly have Celiac, which is a real disease? And how the hell are you defining IBS as a catchall diagnosis then saying that you somehow don’t have it? If you have the symptoms and other causes have been ruled out, you by definition have IBS. That’s what it means. You know that. ## If you don’t think you need to be educated, you might want to not confuse “not properly understood” and “fake.” Unless your symptoms are gone, you have IBS. Or, of course, maybe Celiac, since you might not have been tested for that. And now that that inanity is out of the way: be sure to get diagnosed before going on that gluten free diet, or you’ll be like me and forever stuck not knowing if you have the disorder or not, eating gluten free even though you almost cannot afford it. I feel like one of those hypochondriacs with all the “allergies.” ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psa-ibs-sufferers-ask-your-doctor-about-celiac/642932/14 "2012-12-05T18:11:49Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > IBS. Psshh. As if. I’m suffering from “MMM”; made-up malady malaise. This was incredibly rude and dismissive of others’ suffering. You might as well say Alzheimer’s is a made up malady - since the only way to diagnose it is to rule other stuff out. Thanks for the tip, **jsgoddess**. I used to have horrible IBS. I had to skip breakfast to avoid getting sick in the morning. I was biopsied and tested for celiac but no dice. One thing I found is that now that my presumed endometriosis is under control, the stomach pain is mostly gone. Also, eating a lot of sugar and junk food is a big trigger, so I just try to avoid too much of those things at once. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psa-ibs-sufferers-ask-your-doctor-about-celiac/642932/15 "2012-12-05T18:15:02Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > This was incredibly rude and dismissive of others’ suffering. You might as well say Alzheimer’s is a made up malady - since the only way to diagnose it is to rule other stuff out. > > Thanks for the tip, **jsgoddess**. I used to have horrible IBS. I had to skip breakfast to avoid getting sick in the morning. I was biopsied and tested for celiac but no dice. One thing I found is that now that my presumed endometriosis is under control, the stomach pain is mostly gone. Also, eating a lot of sugar and junk food is a big trigger, so I just try to avoid too much of those things at once. Avoiding too much sugar and junk food is a good idea for everyone. A very good treatment for many of those that suffer from IBS is a probiotic regime. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psa-ibs-sufferers-ask-your-doctor-about-celiac/642932/16 "2012-12-05T19:26:49Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > \ > It really hit home lately, because I have a former co-worker who is going to die before New Years from colon cancer. She spent a long time (year or more?) dealing with her symptoms as IBS or the like, and when she finally got a colonoscopy they discovered stage 3 cancer. Holy crap! (No pun intended.) That truly sucks - first you get to spend a lot of time in pain and not know why, then you get cancer and die. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psa-ibs-sufferers-ask-your-doctor-about-celiac/642932/17 "2012-12-06T04:42:27Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > This was incredibly rude and dismissive of others’ suffering. You might as well say Alzheimer’s is a made up malady - since the only way to diagnose it is to rule other stuff out.. Um yeah, if my comments were in ANY WAY directed towards the people suffering from the (admittedly frustrating) symptoms that got them an “IBS” diagnosis. You obviously didn’t read my follow up post explaining this. “Made Up Malady” is a shot at the medical community and their inability to figure things out; much less heal anything. I am supposedly among the official IBS community. I have nothing but empathy for those who suffer from all these issues. ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2012, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psa-ibs-sufferers-ask-your-doctor-about-celiac/642932/18 "2012-12-07T01:17:37Z")
So presumably patients given the label of “IBS” do indeed suffer from real maladies; there just not may not be one overarching malady that covers them all, and at any rate, lumping them all under a catch-all diagnosis of exclusion does not seem to help in discovering the underlying etiology of or effective treatment for their symptoms. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2012, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psa-ibs-sufferers-ask-your-doctor-about-celiac/642932/19 "2012-12-07T01:38:29Z")
> [@Indistinguishable](#): > > So presumably patients given the label of “IBS” do indeed suffer from real maladies; there just not may not be one overarching malady that covers them all, and at any rate, lumping them all under a catch-all diagnosis of exclusion does not seem to help in discovering the underlying etiology of or effective treatment for their symptoms. That depends. Some people with IBS basically just need to drop certain items from their diet, like spicy food. For those people, “IBS” as a term works just fine. And this is what I originally thought would work for me. But the number of foods that I was having to take out of my diet kept growing, while my symptoms weren’t really being managed. It’s a catch-all term, but it works fine for some people. When people are still getting worse, or the tricks of IBS management don’t work, they should look to something else to see if there’s something more serious going on than a sensitive digestive system. ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2012, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psa-ibs-sufferers-ask-your-doctor-about-celiac/642932/20 "2012-12-07T01:52:29Z")
> [@Indistinguishable](#): > > there just **not** may not be Er, remove the bolded word, of course… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psa-ibs-sufferers-ask-your-doctor-about-celiac/642932.md?page=2)