jacobsmom44's Blog

Some people are more sensitive to gluten than others. When I was first diagnosed and went on the gluten-free diet, I didn't feel sick if I cheated either. I would get a little acid reflux, but that was all. Now, after eating gluten-free for three years, if I ingest gluten (and I only have gluten by accident - NEVER intentionally) I do get sick. I don't know if it has something to do with the progression of the disease with age, if it would have happened if I was never diagnosed and still eating gluten, or if my system has just become more sensitive because I've been off gluten for so long.

The answer to your question is "yes". You are doing damage to your body if you really do have celiac disease and are eating gluten. If you have "always had gastro problems" and got a sick stomach from eating the wheat products on your WW diet, then you [i]are[/i] having symptoms. The gluten is damaging your intestines and most likely keeping you from absorbing necessary nutrients. I don't know how old you are, but if you are under 40, your body may still be compensating pretty well. As you age, you will likely feel the effects more and more, as many people with celiac disease don't start suffering until about the age of 50 and it often takes the doctors years to diagnose celiac disease. You aren't doing yourself any favors by cheating even a little bit and are putting your health at risk. Since you mentioned being on WW, I'm assuming that you have a problem with being over weight. That can also be a symptom of celiac disease.

I just want to add that you may be having symptoms that you just don't recognize yet. You may find that after you are gluten-free for a period of time that some things that you accepted as normal may go away. For example, I thought it was a normal part of aging to have acid reflux - after all, so many people have it. Well, mine completely went away when I went on the gluten-free diet.

One more thing, if you have it, it is very likely that you passed it on to your children. And, of course, you got it from one of your parents and some of your siblings, cousins, etc. may have it. You'd be doing them a favor by letting them all know that you have this genetic disease and they all should get tested - especially if they are having symptoms.

I recently read that some celiacs fall into a more gluten "sensitive" category instead of "intolerant". It's basically the same, the symptoms are just more mild. But, a celiac is a celiac and it will do damage. I was diagnosed at age 38 in a unique way, simply taken off any gluten for 30 days and all symptoms vanished. Years of horrible leg cramps due to non absorption of minerals, low energy, and severe anemia towards the end. In 30 days all blood test results were normal and I gained 10 lbs, now I have to work at keeping weight off like a normal person. As to cheating, I've been off gluten since 1993 so repairs to the gut have allowed an occasional mistake of ingesting gluten to result in a mild and brief reaction. My daughter is 30 and a celiac, if she cheats at all, the symptoms are severe.
I think the best approach is to not second guess the approach to the disease, gluten is POISON to we lucky few.