Hi all. I'm new to this message board or any board for that matter and could really use your help. For the last year & half I've been really ill with frequent vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and major abdominal distention (I look like I'm 9 months pregnant). I've been hospitalized at least 6 times and have lost about 70lbs. A few weeks ago, my doctors finally diagnosed me with something called protein losing enteropathy associated with sjogrens disease. I was treated with 4 Rituxan infusions, but I am still not completely better. Has anyone dealt with the same symptoms? What can I do for the abdominal distention?
I am sorry that I do not have answers for you. Someone else may. Welcome to the forum, newmom59.
One gal I know looks PG but has fatty organs as the cause. There was no mention of any autoimmune diseases. I have used Reiki and Massage to help her.
Ack, Newmom, you sent me again to Google!
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004588/
Protein-losing enteropathy is an abnormal loss of protein from the digestive tract or the inability of the digestive tract to absorb proteins.
Sounds very serious.
I hope you get some relief, and that you could 'spare' a few of your 70 pounds.
Want some of mine? *(BAD JOKE, sorry).
Hugs
Keep us posted.
Elaine
Welcome to the board.
Possible wheat allergy?
beth
celiac disease was my first thought...it is common to occur with sjogrens and treatment with gluten-free diet can be very very effective for the celiac caused symptoms.
Nancy
My thoughts exactly, celiac disease! But then, your doctors seem to have given you a very specific diagnosis which I can only assume was given after considering most all other factors.
Anyway, Celiac and sjogrens have a close relationship- something like 15% of people with sjogrens have celiac, or vice versa. Google sjogrens and celiac and you can probably find the statistic.
Hope you get better very soon!
Thanks for responding. My doctor ruled out celiac disease. Despite them ruling it out, I tried the gluten free diet anyway and it did not help. I am currently out of the hospital on a regular diet and TPN to help me gain back some of the weight I lost.