A tale of David

For as long as I have known him David has had stomach problems. Before we were married I managed to get him to eventually go to the Doctors, they presumed strained muscles as he had a fairly physical job. He took Codiene Based Pain killers for years, not continuously but periodically. Then after we were married the problem excacerbated and the Doctor we were with then decided it was Heart Burn from gastric reflux, for probably 10 years he took antacid's and proton pump inhibitors. The problem persisted, we eventually got him referred to a Gastroenterologist who performed Endoscopies and agreed there was much inflamation and he was put on a course of antibiotics and other anti reflux medications. He had some relief whilst on this mega drug protocol. But once it was reduced the symptoms built again.

By 1999 it had been 20 years since the problems began, we had been through a lot of investigations and surgery for Rosie's reflux issues and knew a lot more about the complications of untreated reflux. When the symptoms reached a point where David was unable to stand upright at times due to his abdmonial pain we eventually persuaded the GP to refer him back to the hospital. As a result of many tests and investigations David went in to hospital for Nissen Fundoplication. The recovery period was difficult for him, swalllowing issues and bloating and a lot of postoperative discomfort, but a month on and he felt it had all been worth while. There was a trade off, bloating and diminished appetite, but it was a trade off he was happy with.

However the bloating has never improved, and he never really enjoys food. Eating is a necessity rather than a pleasure. This is not easy for him or us. He never seems to get that just because he isnt hungry we often are!

Anyway, ove the last 15 years David has suffered with skin problems. This was diagnosed as Psoriasis and he has been treated with various creams and potions and oral drugs too...non has really got on top of the problem with any prolonged success. He finds the itching unbearable at times. The GP seemed to think it was a failry minor problem and wrote our prescriptions for emolientt freely but was reluctant to prescribe anything much else. Then over the last few months the problem has become excrutiatingly painful. The soreness is as if he has been plunged in boiling water in places and the itch has kept him awake for weeks. We demanded a referal to a Dermatologist, spurred on by the fact that the Dermatologist we were eventually put under for Jonathan was so brilliant. We had an appointment for him with the same Dermatologist and unfortunately David had to go alone as I needed to deal with children.

However not only did he take the skin issues seriously and dish out prescripotions for Antibiotics and creams etc he sent him for blood tests too. On friday we came home to piles of mail as usual. But one of those letters was from the Dermatologist. David's blood tests had tested positive for one of the antibodies significant for Coeliac Disease. Apparantly one of the complications of Coeilac Disease is Dermatitis Hepaterformis, DH for short. They are very sure David actually has Coeliac Disease.

Reading information on the internet about the two diseases everything fits! In fact there is a quote from one sufferer of DH who says it is like being rolled naked in stinging nettles and then wrapped in a wool blanket full of fleas and ants! David has actually almost said those exact words when he has been driven crazy by the itch at night.

So on Thursday we are back off to see the Dermatologist where David will undergo a skin biopsy. Alongside the positive blood test if the skin biopsy is positive it is definitive that he has coeliac disease. A letter has been sent to the GP requesting a referal to Gastroenterology and I presume dietetics. Hopefully this is the begining of some respite for David from his ongoing problems. Neither condition is curable, but symptom control can be achieved with drugs and a gluten free diet.

Your prayers for things to go smoothly towards reaching that goal would be appreciated.

Much love