BonnieRadcliffe

My oldest son doesn't do well with needles either so I understand that can be tough to overcome.

If you do think you'll go for testing, remember that you must be consistantly consuming gluten for a few weeks for it to be an accurate test. If you've been eating gluten-free for a while, there is a good chance that your blood work will be negative regardless of whether you are a celiac or not. Doing the tests sooner rather than later (if you decide to get tested) would be a good idea... but easier said than done, right?

Best wishes to you.

That's so true! Lol! Easier said than done XD A couple of days ago I found out about something called hydrogen breath test and apparently it's also used for testing food intolerances, but I don't know if this kind of test is as reliable as a blood work, or if there is some place where I can take this test in my country, for that matter. I'll have to keep looking into it!

Hello Nvsmom! Thank you so much for your reply! What you say is very interesting. I didn't know gluten could be hidden in something as lipstick. Wow, there are really many things to watch for.

You're right, I should get tested. I'm kind of embarrassed. I haven't had a blood work done for almost ten years now... Yes, I know it's crazy. But I'm just so apprehensive about it. It's not the pain of the needle, it's that for some reason the thought of having the needle there makes me restless. The last time I had a blood work done they had me lie down on a stretcher because they were afraid I would faint.

I've also thought about lactose. It's not like I eat much dairy products - just natural yoghourt and Laughing Cow wedges - but maybe that's enough to do it. But I've already reduced the intake of dairy.

I'll definitely try to go gluten-free for some months. I'll start researching all I need to know about what I can eat safely and what I can not. I don't know if this will be the reason why I have all those symptoms I listed in my previous message, but there must be something behind that. I can't have a bloated stomach and absorb nutrients so poorly for no reason at all.

Meanwhile, I'll also try to work up the courage to get a blood work done. I wish I didn't have this anxiety problem when it comes to blood works...

Thank you again for your reply. You were really helpful and I'll take all of what you said in consideration