Why Did I Eat The Bread?

[MissyBB]

First off, I want to say that I am new here to this forum. I also want to say I have not been officially diagnosed with celiac. I think it is important to point that fact out because it bothers me when people think it's "cool" to have the latest and greatest disease process because it undermines those who really do have it. So, no, I have not been officially diagnosed. 

 

I "fell" into eating gluten-free. Back at the beginning of April my husband wanted to try doing Paleo. I VERY reluctantly agreed. I LOVE bread and things. I see meat as simply the inside of something that is sandwiched between the good stuff - the bread. Anyway, I went along with it.

 

The first week was HELL. I had the worst "carb flu" ever. I was achy and had a constant headache and felt like death. But.........after that first week I felt GREAT!  I had always had extreme gas, bloating, very loose stools (sorry, TMI), achy hands, insomnia, and a constant situation of  throat-clearing, post-nasal drip and blowing my nose as a result. It was ALL GONE when I stopped eating ANY wheat.

 

I haven't had wheat since March 31st. It is now June 17th. Two days ago we went to Canada's Wonderland. We packed a lunch. I thought, hey, we can make sandwiches out of some sourdough, that won't be so bad. WRONG! Last night I had the WORST heartburn and gut ache. This morning is a run to the bathroom multiple times day. Ugh. 

 

I have never been properly diagnosed but I am convinced, now, after lurking on this forum, and reading all your posts, that I do, in fact, have some degree of gluten-intolerance at the very least. Over the years I have suffered:

 

Achiness

Bloating

Severe Menstrual cramping

Severe anemia

Three miscarriages - one of them second trimester

Gas

Loose stools

Post-nasal drip

Throat clearing (feeling like mucous is constantly in my throat)

Sinusitis -  EVERY time I get a cold I get a sinus infection

Heartburn

Insomnia

 

I went off the gluten and all of those things disappeared. I just wish there was a test that didn't involve going back ON gluten. I wonder how many people are unknowingly and silently suffering from this. 

[Celiac Mindwarp]

Sounds like your experiment worked, even if that wasn't what you intended.....

It might be worth talking to your doctor about getting tested asap for blood and biopsy. Sometimes it could still pick it up. I didn't last long when I tried to reintroduced gluten for testing. It did convince me I had a gluten problem. I have been diagnosed non celiac gluten intolerant NCGI. Others here are self diagnosed.

Come on in, chat, rant. There is plenty of help to be had here

[nvsmom]

Welcome. 

 

Good for you for figuring out your gluten intolerance!  Not many do. I agree that you might as well get tested ASAP. Your antibody levels still might be high enough to register. Plus, when people go paleo without focusing on going gluten-free, gluten sometimes sneaks in in small places like soy sauce, spices, worchestershire sauce, or other processed foods like a protein bar - that might keep your antibody levels up.

 

The tests are:

• tTG IgA and tTG IgG
• DGP IgA and DGP IgG
• EMA IgA
• total serum IgA (a control test)
• AGA IgA and AGA IgG (older tests that find gliadin sensitivity rather than intestinal damage like the above tests)

Best wishes in whatever you decide to do.

[surviormom]

Good luck.  

[Gemini]

Probably millions of people have a problem and are not willing to give up the bread they eat to find out.  They would rather stay sick. 

 

FYI...there are many excellent gluten-free breads out there, in case you Jones for a sammy now and again! 

[Pegleg84]

Sounds like you're on to something. Great to hear that you're feeling better without wheat, which i'm sure is now without Gluten.

 

Yes, go get tested for the sake of it. Also get your vitamin levels, etc etc checked out. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and that you've been feeling better wheat/gluten free. Even if the tests come back negative, you can hopefully get the support you need to go gluten free anyway. Even without an official diagnosis (I was never officially diagnosed either, but considering Celiac is on both sides of my family, I was doomed), as long as you treat yourself as Celiac/Gluten Intolerant, and stick to a strict gluten-free diet, and feel better, then that's as legitimate as anything.

 

Welcome, and good luck!