-
Welcome to Celiac.com!
You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.
-
Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):
-
Get Celiac.com Updates:Support Celiac.com!
-
Celiac.com - Celiac Disease & Gluten-Free Diet Support Since 1995
My Long Journey to Celiac Disease Diagnosis
Like many people, I spent a lot of years, a lot of dollars, and endured many tests and misdiagnoses, before doctors finally discovered that I had celiac disease (also known as coeliac disease or celiac sprue), and needed to eliminate gluten and all gluten-containing ingredients from my diet. Gluten is a protein found in the three main gluten-containing grains: wheat, rye, and barley; and is often hidden in processed foods, and things like soy sauce and beer.
Celiac disease is NOT an Allergy
It's important to know that celiac disease is an autoimmune disease, not a wheat allergy. It's also different from non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten intolerance, or sensitivity to gluten.
Gluten-Free Diet
To treat my celiac disease I had to go on a gluten-free diet for life. That meant learning to read food labels to avoid gluten ingredients, and eating a diet of mostly naturally gluten-free foods like meats, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and packaged foods only if they are certified gluten-free or labeled gluten-free, for example gluten-free breads made using gluten-free grains.
My Celiac Disease Symptoms, Diagnosis and Recovery
My symptoms included weight loss, long-term diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain (especially in my middle-right section while sleeping. Once I began and maintained a gluten-free diet, those symptoms slowly disappeared....[READ MORE about my long and winding road to a celiac disease diagnosis and recovery.]
Breaking Celiac Disease News & Info:
-
Get Celiac.com Updates:Support Celiac.com:
-
Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):
-
Recent Activity
-
- Fluka66 replied to Fluka66's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms4
Waiting for urgent referral.
Thank you very much for your reply. I hadn't heard of celiac disease but began to notice a pattern of pain. I've been on the floor more than once with agonising pain but this was always put down to another abdominal problem consequently I've been on a roundabout of backwards and forwards with another consultant for many years. I originally questioned this... -
- Moodiefoodie replied to Moodiefoodie's topic in Related Issues & Disorders9
Joint swelling when ill even on gluten-free diet
Wow! Fascinating info. Thanks so much! I really appreciate the guidance. @Spacepanther Over the years I have had rheumatologists do full lab work ups on me. They told me they had screened me for arthritis, lupus, and Lyme disease (all negative). In addition to joint pain and stiffness I had swelling in both knees that later moved to my elbow as well. I also... -
- knitty kitty replied to Moodiefoodie's topic in Related Issues & Disorders9
Joint swelling when ill even on gluten-free diet
@Spacepanther, I found these articles about the connection between Celiac and joint pain. Musculoskeletal Complications of Celiac Disease: A Case-Based Review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10201087/ And Intestinal microbiome composition and its relation to joint pain and inflammation https://www.ncbi.nlm... -
- knitty kitty replied to Shireen32's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms1
Still testing positive after being gluten free for one year ?!!
@Shireen32, Take some deep breaths. Your labs are fine! Your tTg IgA is so low! Well done! Your endomysial IgA is fine. There's not a level on the endomysial test. It's just "yes or no" for if you have celiac disease. No, it's too early to call it refractory. What are you eating? Please tell us more than meat and veg. Do you... -
- Spacepanther replied to Moodiefoodie's topic in Related Issues & Disorders9
Joint swelling when ill even on gluten-free diet
thank you knitty kitty I don't have a vitamin deficiency and I supplement omegas. Are there other more mild symptoms that co-occur with your joint pain as well @Moodiefoodie? I am suspicious my own joint pain could be related to another autoimmune issue. I am wondering if it is Crohn's or something similar because I've continued to experience some...
-