[HelpinOhio]

Im 18 years old and suspect that I have Celiac.

About a year ago my mom told me that she was diagnosed with Celiac Disease when she was younger. Possibly around 25 years ago. Her main problem was just the stereotypical Celiac Disease symptoms, Diarrhea whenever she ate gluten and stomach pains.

When my mom got older she started eating gluten again because it didnt bother her stomach anymore. Supposedly her doctor said she can stop with the gluten free diet if it doesnt cause any symptoms. Based on what I have learned about Celiac Disease, this doctor was very stupid for saying that. I heard that your supposed to go gluten free for life. Even if it doesnt cause any noticeable symptoms it can still damage your intestine and increase your risk of getting cancer a lot. My mom has problems with her tooth enamel, headaches, dry skin, her hair barely grows. She lives a normal life but is not completely together mentally. She also has hypoglycemia and thyroid disease. I believe that all of that is caused or worsened by her eating gluten. Im worried about her. Personally I think that she should not be eating any gluten at all.

What are your thoughts on this?
and what should I do?

[ravenwoodglass]

Your right, she does need to go back on the diet. A lot of the issues she is having could well be related to celiac. It used to be thought that people outgrew celiac but that is not the case. While you can't force her back on the diet you can try and educate her. Can you encourage her to come here? There is also a lot out there on the web. The NIH has a lot info. As does the celiac sprue association and the homepage here. Here are a couple links-

Celiac Sprue Association=

http://www.csaceliac...c_treatment.php

National Institute of Health Celiac Awareness Campaign-

http://www.celiac.nih.gov/

[Gfresh404]

Ravenwood is right, your mom really needs to go back on the diet. Also, explain to your mother that just because she is not experiencing any GI symptoms does not mean that damage is not being done. Many people with Celiac Disease are actually asymptomatic or only have minor annoyances.

She may not ever experience any symptoms but she very well could develop a serious complication from untreated Celiac such as cancer.

[lovegrov]

You can't quit the diet when you have celiac. Celiac is for life.

richard

[psawyer]

Celiac disease requires a completely gluten-free diet for life. It does not "go away." You can not "grow out of it." If a person has celiac disease, gluten causes damage to the body, even if observable symptoms do not present themselves.