Possible Lead On Mystery Illness?

  After the Fodmap Elimination trial, the first thing I reintroduced was Gluten. I ate a few of Saltine crackers one morning, no big deal. That afternoon, I great deal on a bag of pita bread. When I returned home, I decided to try a piece by itself. It tasted good, but half way through the thing I got extremely nauseous. To the point where all I wanted to do was lay down and take Pepto Bismol. It was more intense than the daily nausea I'm used to. But I wasn't 100% sure if i should blame the pita bread. So when I felt better, I decided to try it again to be sure. I ate a couple more pieces and the next thing I know I'm just as sick as before, except this time it lasts until the morning! It was very unexpected because I've never noticed a problem while eating regular, homemade lunch-meat sandwiches on whole wheat/whole grain bread. But upon reading the pita bread ingredients, "high gluten flour" was first on the list, which got my 'wheels' turning...
I already knew that the intolerance of Gluten is immediately related to Celiac Disease, but that was the extent of my knowledge of CD. So the detective that I am, I hopped on Google and started typing away.
The symptoms of Celiac Disease (with asterisks by the ones that I've experience/am experiencing) include:

Classic symptoms may include:

• Abdominal cramping, intestinal gas ** (Bloating vs. Distention)
• Distention and bloating of the stomach **
• Chronic diarrhea or constipation (or both) **
• Steatorrhea – fatty stools
• Anemia – unexplained, due to folic acid, B12 or iron deficiency (or all)
• Unexplained weight loss with large appetite or weight gain **

 Other  symptoms:

• Dental enamel defects
• Osteopenia, osteoporosis
• Bone or joint pain **
• Fatigue, weakness and lack of energy **
• Bruising easily **
• Infertility – male/female
• Depression or Anxiety **
• Mouth ulcers **
• Delayed puberty
• Tingling or numbness in hands or feet **
• Migraine headaches

Some long-term conditions that can result from untreated CD:

• Iron deficiency anemia
• Early onset osteoporosis or osteopenia
• Vitamin K deficiency associated with risk for hemorrhaging
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Central and peripheral nervous system disorders - usually due to unsuspected nutrient deficiencies
• Pancreatic insufficiency
• Intestinal lymphomas and other GI cancers (malignancies)
• Gall bladder malfunction
• Neurological manifestations

  .

Details:
"A growing portion of diagnoses are being made in asymptomatic persons as a result of increased screening; the condition is thought to affect between 1 in 1,750 and 1 in 105 people in the United States. Celiac disease is caused by a reaction to gliadin, a prolamin (gluten protein) found in wheat.... Upon exposure to gliadin, and specifically to three peptides found in prolamins, the enzyme tissue transglutaminase modifies the protein, and the immune system cross-reacts with the small-bowel tissue, causing an inflammatory reaction. That leads to a truncating of the villi lining the small intestine (called villous atrophy). This interferes with the absorption of nutrients, because the intestinal villi are responsible for absorption. The only known effective treatment is a lifelong gluten-free diet. While the disease is caused by a reaction to wheat proteins, it is not the same as wheat allergy." --Wikipedia


Complications (Celiac Complications):
Malnutrition
Loss of calcium and bone density
Lactose Intolerance
Cancer
Neurological complications



  If you read my story, then you know that there a lot of similarities between CD and what I've been experiencing for the past few years. I have several other symptoms that I didn't mention in my story that line up perfectly with CD as well. I have a strong feeling that I may have finally found my diagnosis, so much so that I've set up an appointment with a general practitioner with hope that he will be able to prepare a Celiac test for me. I'm trying not to get my hopes up. I have a BIG problem with needles, and the first step is a blood test. So I'm really nervous about that. But the second step of CD diagnosis is an Endoscopy, which freaks me out even more, mainly because I don't know what to expect but for other more obvious reasons as well... But if it wasn't worth it to me, I wouldn't do it. I am pretty stubborn, after all.
  I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but I want so badly to be diagnosed. Some might think that a diagnosis is bad news, but if you've suffered from a mysterious illness for a long time then you understand why it isn't. I already know I have a problem, so a doctor telling me I do makes no difference. A diagnosis is a solve to a painful mystery; I can't help but to crack a hopeful smile :)





  Since the initial gluten reaction, I have removed gluten from my diet entirely. I've felt a lot better, but I'm still experiencing stomach distention and some nausea. My constipation has further decreased but I'm now experiencing bowel cramps, and my stool consistency has changed significantly. But as I've read online, the damage that has been done to my intestinal lining could be the cause of my remaining symptoms. Nothing is certain, but a lead is a lead.

  I am, however, inclined to believe that if the tests come back negative, and I reach a dead end once again, I might just self-destruct. I'm not sure if I'll be able to handle the disappointment . I know it is a likely outcome, but I've invested too much in this to react nonchalantly.
Until then, I have high hopes, crossed-fingers and many prayers. Wish me luck!



Resources:
Wikipedia 
Celiac Disease Foundation
Celiac Disease
Mayo Clinic