"Coeliac Disease assessment"

Over the past 12 mths I have suffered with stomach and bowel problems on an irregular basis. I wanted to get to the bottom of it! Initially I saw my GP who felt that it was perhaps IBS after having had a bout of diarrhoea. This cleared within a week but left me with the unreliable bowel. It didn't improve a deal over the year, so I went back to the GP who sent me for a blood test. I had made it clear to him that I have a strong family link with Coeliac disease. (My sister, her son and grandaughter). The results of the blood test showed a positive response to Coeliac disease. I then had to have a hospital consultation at the QMC, Nottm followed by an endoscopy. The consultation was thorough and as I hadn't changed from a normal diet they wanted an MRI scan as part of a long term study. I was happy to oblige. This was done at Nottm Univ and not at QMC. They are apparantly studying the amount of water retained in the small bowel and other areas. I then went and had the endoscopy last week which was straightforward without sedation. I had heard so many wierd and awful tales of swallowing the camera it could have put some folk off! However, I kept relaxed and the process completed in 5/10 mins and wasn't an issue to me at all. I had the results of the endoscopy today and they confirmed that I have Coeliac disease. I was pleased with this and am happy to change my diet/lifestyle to suit. I have been offered the help of an NHS dietician and may take that up at a later date. My knowledge of Coeliac disease is quite good now and I am very much aware of the things I am safe to eat and drink.

The process via the QMC has been efficient and professional and I am pleased to get a diagnosis to my problem. Thankfully by eating the right things in future I shall soon be back to normal.