celiac disease

My husband had been iching all over and blister like rash for about 3 years.. He first went to a doctor in PA, We were at my step daughter's for Christmas and he was iching with afew blisters on his elbows and bac of legs.. Told him what to do...etc... To make along story short.. He went to another doctor for a year or so with no results. Then he went to the VA hospital.The doctor there took a biopsy and it came back as Dermatitis Herpetiformis.. We were ever so graceful that this doctor finially found out what his problem was. By the time he got started on the med's the blister like rash was all over is body. He does not like his new way of eating but he is geting use to it.

My mother was told because of blood tests that she had celiac disease. My mother for 3 years avoided so many foods like breads, pastas and many items contained bread crumbs for a coating. Then she went for another blood test and was told the first tests 3 years ago were wrong. I hope your cousin's little girl gets better. It's tough at any age to have that disease.

Ma prayers are with her. I vill pray she is back running & playin all over.

A lifelong autoimmune intestinal disorder, found in individuals who are genetically susceptible. Damage to the mucosal surface of the small intestine is caused by an immunologically toxic reaction to the ingestion of gluten and interferes with the absorption of nutrients. Celiac Disease (CD) is unique in that a specific food component, gluten, has been identified as the trigger. Gluten is the common name for the offending proteins in specific cereal grains that are harmful to persons with celiac disease. These proteins are found in all forms of wheat (including durum, semolina, spelt, kamut, einkorn, and faro), and related grains: rye, barley, and triticale and must be eliminated. When individuals with CD ingest gluten, the villi, tiny hair-like projections in the small intestine that absorb nutrients from food, are damaged. This is due to an immunological reaction to gluten. Damaged villi do not effectively absorb basic nutrients -- proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and, in some cases, water and bile salts. If CD is left untreated, damage to the small bowel can be chronic and life threatening, causing an increased risk of associated disorders -- both nutritional and immune related. Some long-term conditions that can result from untreated CD: * Iron deficiency anemia * Osteoporosis * 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 * Lactose intolerance * Neurological manifestations Other associated autoimmune disorders: * Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH) * Insulin-dependent Type I Diabetes Mellitus * Thyroid Disease * Systemic Lupus Erythematosus * Liver Diseases Less commonly linked to CD: * Addison’s Disease * Chronic Active Hepatitis * Down Syndrome * Rheumatoid Arthritis * Turner Syndrome * Williams Syndrome * Sjögren’s Syndrome * Fibromyalgia * Alopecia Areata * Scleroderma

I'm sorry to hear about your little cousin. It's such a shame at such young age she has to go through that... My heart goes out to you and yours...If you ever want to chat, I am around. I actually never heard of it, I just looked it up myself. I will pray for you and your family...

Hi! Sorry to hear thisn but glad that they found out. My daughter was dx on her 13th birthday with Celiac Disease. She has been gluten free for almost a year now. It can be challenging sometimes as you really have to read the labels on food. Even twizzler candy has wheat in it. So they will need to be really careful. My daughter only weighs 67 lbs. and is 13 so this disease has taken a toll on her too. Daughter also has Ulcerative Colitis which also doesn't help. Daughter also got very anemic and had to have daily iron infusions for a week in June. What did she have to have surgery for? I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers that she will soon feel better.