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A little history: I was bounced around from doctor to doctor when I was a kid, and underwent hundreds of tests to try to figure out why I wasn't growing, when I was supposed to be right in the middle of my pre-adolescent growth spurt. I was finally referred to the UC Med Center in San Francisco, where some experimental studies were being performed on a new diagnosis technique for celiac disease: Non-surgical intestinal biopsy. I think I was the second or third patient to undergo the procedure, and during the 8 weeks and 3 procedures during the diagnosis process, I saw a couple of evolutions of the biopsy device itself. (And was filmed for posterity during my first biopsy.)
Fortunately, I have a fairly mild case, from what I understand. On the RARE occasion that I have a contamination event, it usually results in about a day's worth of discomfort (mostly upset stomach symptoms.) Of course, as I've been on a total-exclusion diet for most of my adolescent and all of my adult life, I might have a more resilient gut at this point.
I just recently took the plunge and re-introduced oats into my life. I never thought I'd be so happy to have a bowl of oatmeal!Needless to say, Can't say I have all or even many answers, but I do remember when gluten-free foods were few and far between, never mind eating at a fast-food restaurant! I'm used to having people look at me strangely when I explain my condition, but the advent of the Atkins diet has definitely made things easier in that regard. No longer do I get the crazy looks when I ask for a burger with no bun (and Protein-Style In-N-Out burgers are the BEST!) or ask for a salad, tossed in a clean bowl with no crutons. Hopefully, the day will come when Celiac is viewed in the US as something as important as a peanut allergy (and who didn't cringe when that happened, and all of the in-flight snacks on airplanes became Pretzels?!)
One thing I will mention though, to those who have tried a gluten-free diet, and are looking for a solid diagnosis for celiac disease; if you feel better being on an exclusion diet, why worry about the diagnosis? My wife, who is not celiac disease, joined me in my diet when we first started going out together. To this day, she says that she feels better and healthier on a gluten-free diet, regardless of whether she's a diagnosed Celiac or not. (Of course, she still eats the Fleming's Steak House creamed spinach, as her one concession, of which I am jealous of her to no end!)
Cheers,
-Patrick
