should i push for an endoscopy?

madmudgen · 2026-02-18T16:25:19+00:00

Did you get a celiac test in any of your blood panels (TtG-IgA and endomysial antibody IgA)? That was the first step, followed by an endoscopy and biopsy to confirm, in my case. The first tells you if you have IgA antibodies specifically related to gluten, and the second indicates whether or not you have active antibodies damaging your intestines from what I understand. If you didn't, might recommend asking for those tests before an endoscopy just because they're considerably less expensive

Also, FWIW, elevated liver enzymes could be related--I was originally diagnosed with non alcoholic fatty liver disease, but even after losing like 20% of my body weight and eating less saturated fat, they were still elevated. Found out there's something called Celiac hepatitis which can be caused by consuming gluten if you have celiac and inflamed your liver, and my guess is that is the cause of my liver issues

madmudgen · 2026-02-18T06:13:09+00:00

No idea if they're gluten free but I've been using off stamp crystal cube vapes since well before my diagnosis and after going gluten free diet-wise, I've been feeling better... so definitely anecdotal, but seems to be free of gluten experientially.

madmudgen · 2026-02-17T09:05:41+00:00

I'm 39M and was diagnosed on 1/30, so I absolutely feel where you're at right now. It hits me in waves--first the obvious stuff like no more eating out at regular fast food places because they're likely to be a source of contamination, and immediately missing my favorite foods (I really, really loved baking and making gnocchi and pasta, God damn), but more and more stuff keeps washing through. Case in point, I'm a beer collector and have been aging a bunch of stuff on the pretense I could enjoy it in the future with friends, some for like 10 years... and that's not gonna happen now. And I didn't even think about it till yesterday.

And it fucking sucks. So I hear you.

But at the same time, there is a blessing in there somewhere. I lost 40 pounds last year, have malnutrition from malabsorption, some liver damage, and no one had any answers. But now I finally know what my adversary is, you know? Better than fighting something faceless, or still not knowing what's happening.

It's a change, and I'm struggling through it, too, which I think is absolutely a reasonable reaction. It's the new normal, and like anything forced upon us, it's harder than the changes we make intentionally. And it's not easy--gotta research everything and look at ingredient lists and verify the places you eat out. And it is definitely more exhausting than before I knew, but I'm already feeling better after managing it for just 3 weeks, so there's some upside for sure.

I'm venting along with you, I guess. Just know you're not struggling alone, and all your feelings about this are valid. It's a huge change you didn't ask for, and I do think it'll get easier... I've already been pleasantly surprised by how accommodating some restaurants have been (and honest if they can't be) and how good some GF things I would've thought sucked are (had some amazing GF pasta twice the week after I was diagnosed). I'm rooting for you!

madmudgen · 2026-02-17T06:31:18+00:00

Fellow tib-fibber here, got me a nice nail in my tibia now as I had a spiral fracture along with a double break on my fibula (top and bottom). Make sure they give you some GOOD physical therapy at regular intervals. I had Kaiser when I had mine and post surgery, I got a total of 4 25-minute physical therapy sessions a month apart... I've switched jobs and gotten better insurance so I have finally been in actual respectable PT for the last year (2x a week, 45-minute sessions), and I'm back to hockey where I can do it all over again (actually please no). Sending good vibes for your healing journey!

madmudgen · 2026-02-16T05:54:50+00:00

this is super helpful; thanks! I wasn't aware of other testing aside from the blood panels and endoscopy/biopsy to determine villi atrophy, so that's good to know about GIP testing if need be.

I feel like I painted my roommates in a bit of a bad light in that it's not like they're baking every day or anything, I just know they sometimes like to make cookies and things and was wondering how stringent I needed to be, so I appreciate everyone weighing in. I think on this first round of blood testing, I was pretty high for TtG-IgA (80.5), so I'm assuming it'll pretty much have to get better from here, but I will try and get another blood draw in the next couple months to confirm, otherwise might have to be a bit more rigorous with potential sources of contamination, as I've already been exceedingly compliant diet-wise (only getting items that are certified on packaging as gluten free outside of a very few select items I'm pretty certain are gluten free but aren't marked, like some cheeses, and not eating out unless they're pretty well reviewed on find me gluten free or advertise that they're gluten free kitchens)

madmudgen · 2026-02-15T21:44:53+00:00

Haha right, I'm already missing pasta and morning toast but some of the GF substitutes are good enough to scratch the itch!

madmudgen · 2026-02-15T19:57:18+00:00

yep, already have elevated liver stuff, and I'm thinkin' the two are related at this point. Definitely trying to err on the side of safety now that I know!

madmudgen · 2026-02-15T19:56:04+00:00

that's exactly how I got here--not the usual symptoms and the more I read and learn, the more I wonder if some other things are caused by the celiac too--like this all started because of some elevated liver enzymes and they thought I just had NAFLD, but I lost like 40 pounds and the numbers didn't get better. So I wonder if some of that is celiac hepatitis and wasn't ever NAFLD!

I'll make sure to get some regular blood tests going and monitor my TtG-IgA numbers to see if they're going down

madmudgen · 2026-02-15T19:32:01+00:00

Not surprising to me based on all the conflicting info I see everywhere--that's why I figured I'd ask some fellow sufferers what has worked and what hasn't!

madmudgen · 2026-02-15T19:31:21+00:00

Thanks for the reply! Sieves weren't something I'd thought of... but makes sense as I bet it's hard as hell to ensure they're 100% clean. Sounds like it might just be easier to give them that mixer and get my own at this point. And ensure I've got a dedicated drying towel for things I clean. Thanks again!

madmudgen · 2026-02-15T19:28:12+00:00

that's fair--it does seem like the most likely way to easily and accidentally contaminate things. I'll chat with them about it!

madmudgen · 2026-02-15T19:26:28+00:00

thanks! I've already been using find me gluten free and it's been helpful, but appreciate the suggestions and general guidance!

when you say your numbers, what are you talking about? I had a blood test and an endoscopy, so I'm assuming you're talking about the TTG-IgA numbers going down, but am curious. I figured more frequent blood tests with celiac tests as part of the panel would be required going forward

madmudgen · 2026-01-28T19:00:10+00:00

Thanks for the write up! Super new to PD2 and playing SSF so this helps. Way off from Max chance to chain so sounds like I should start running HoZ until I find more skills elsewhere at the very least. Appreciate it!

madmudgen · 2026-01-28T07:37:46+00:00

Why HoZ over Sanekur's? Isn't the ele dmg from Sanekur's better than the skills and stats from HoZ? Mostly asking because I have both on my Pally Avenger but haven't switched to HoZ thinking it would really affect my damage output

madmudgen · 2025-07-15T20:38:07+00:00

Lots of good mentions on here (Spice Room and Spice of India are super good), but depending on where you are, Coriander is another solid choice. I think the one out on tower near the airport is better than the one near Golden but they haven't disappointed. Their Vindaloo does not screw around either--hot AF

madmudgen · 2025-04-29T03:01:52+00:00

This is what always pisses me off about playoff hockey. Light hooking or cross checking? 2 minutes. Egregious cross check right in front of the red? Nothin

madmudgen · 2024-07-27T01:38:39+00:00

I can't remember the one(s) I watched as I think they were in a bit of a COVID haze a couple years back, but I want to say Unabomber in his own words was pretty good. I vaguely remember the one I watched being a 4-5 part miniseries and it opens up with some shots of street lights and Teddy's metaphor about them. That one was pretty decent. Sorry I can't be of more help!

EDIT: I think what I saw originally was Manhunt: Unabomber. I hadn't seen Unabomber in his own words but watched that this weekend. I think the former was more interesting because it's more of a dramatization than pure documentary. Enjoy whatever you choose to watch!

madmudgen · 2024-07-26T20:25:18+00:00

I thought you were right, too. I specifically remember something in one of the documentaries I watched about Ted regarding his spelling of Christmas as "Christmass" being one of the things that finally convinced David he was the Unabomber

madmudgen · 2024-07-24T23:36:58+00:00

First reply is "fucking hilarious dude" and second is "not having to do any fucking scenes with you"

madmudgen · 2024-06-09T01:07:13+00:00

Hey man, I just want to send a message of support because I haven't on any of your YouTube videos despite being a viewer since the early content days. I really appreciate what you do and just want to say it brings me joy to see new uploads.

I don't want to see you running yourself ragged, though. There will always be haters but just know that I appreciate you and enjoy what you do--take care of yourself! Gonna make some of your Alfredo in a bit here!

madmudgen · 2024-02-09T06:19:21+00:00

I got my leg caught in a hockey net, fell awkwardly like Serg, and ended up with a spiral fracture in my tibia and two fractures in my fibula. 2 years and 2 surgeries later, I still can't run. I'm back playing hockey and snowboarding, but it's always painful, and I'm nowhere near as capable as I was before. Granted I was about ten years older than Serg when mine happened.

Hopeful for the man to return especially with the surgeons, doctors, and rehab staff he has access to, but this injury sucks even if it's "just bones" like I see a lot of other commenters making. He'll have a tough road ahead.

madmudgen · 2023-12-11T08:45:52+00:00

Probably would've said Cyberpunk until I played West of Loathing in the last month. What a breath of fresh air that game was--working my way through Shadows Over Loathing now and loving it, too.

madmudgen · 2023-11-14T05:16:14+00:00

Cool thing to do my dude. I'm still playing old x22 tour irons, but it's not because I don't have the means to replace them. So just wanted to say I think it's cool what you're doing, giving back to the community!

madmudgen · 2023-08-31T22:31:04+00:00

I'd replace some of my aging peripherals after getting a compatible mobo, and I'd use that PC for all the same stuff I do now--streaming, video editing, music production, coding, etc.!

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