Jump to content

  • 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 Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Well Whaddya Know, My Biopsy Was Positive After A 6 Week Challenge

BelleVie

Recommended Posts

BelleVie Enthusiast
BelleVie
Posted

Hi! I just wanted to let anyone know who is interested in the timing of gluten challenges that after being gluten free for 9 months, I did a 6 week gluten challenge and got the results of my biopsy this morning which showed slight villous atrophy and increased lymphocytes. My TtG test, however, was negative, which I expected. During the challenge, I ate a pretty obscene amount of gluten, usually having bread at every meal. And lots of donuts. Oh the donuts!  :P

 

I actually feel really good and very thankful that I finally know for sure that this is the reason for feeling so "off" for most of my life, and for all of the weird illnesses I've been through. Now I'm hoping that my family will take my requests for them to get tested seriously! 

 

Thank you to everyone for all of the help and advice you have offered in the short time that I've been a member of this forum. I hope to be able to pay it forward! 

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


powerofpositivethinking Community Regular
powerofpositivethinking
Posted

so glad that you got an answer!!  happy healing time :)

greenbeanie Enthusiast
greenbeanie
Posted

That's great that you got a clear diagnosis! Now you know for sure.

May I ask if your biopsy report said which part of the intestines had the villous atrophy? I was shocked that my biopsy came back negative after a six-week challenge, but they didn't do lymphocyte counts and did not take any samples from my duodenal bulb. Just wondering if the duodenal bulb is usually the first place to show damage.

I hope you're feeling better and that things just keep improving from here!

1desperateladysaved Proficient
1desperateladysaved
Posted

I am glad you got your diagnosis.  Happy going back to gluten free!

 

D

nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

:) It's good to know.

GottaSki Mentor
GottaSki
Posted

Good to know you had a positive biopsy result after challenge...and happy for you that you can be sure of the transitioning to a completely gluten-free life.  Thanks for sharing :)

BelleVie Enthusiast
BelleVie
Posted
  • Author

Thank you, everyone. I'm really looking forward to getting healthy for good!

 

Greenbeanie, my pathology report just says "Duodenum, site unstated, blunting of villi, increased intraepithelial lymphocytes in tip of villi/suggestive of celiac disease." I was under the impression that that duodenal bulb was the most likely place to find damage. Is it possible for you to get a second opinion? I think that the only reason my doctor knew to be on the lookout for the increased lymphocyte count in the villi tips was because I gave him a copy of the study that came out this year on that topic. If they still have your slides, maybe someone could go back in and have another look?

 

Oh one more thing that I forgot to mention is that he also did some kind of staining during the endoscopy, where he sprayed a blue dye which made it easier to see the patterning in my small intestine, and you could see in the photos areas that were patchy and didn't show up as clearly as others. I'd never heard of that before on any other site, so I just thought it was interesting to share. 

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


AlwaysLearning Collaborator
AlwaysLearning
Posted

Very cool about the dye for seeing the patches. Anyone know if this is common in the testing process?

BelleVie Enthusiast
BelleVie
Posted
  • Author

I had never heard of it before, which is why I was so surprised when my doctor showed me the images. And I was just so impressed with my doctor! He spent an HOUR with me explaining everything he looked at and all of his results. He even got out a sketchpad and drew a few diagrams for me! 

0range Apprentice
0range
Posted

I had never heard of it before, which is why I was so surprised when my doctor showed me the images. And I was just so impressed with my doctor! He spent an HOUR with me explaining everything he looked at and all of his results. He even got out a sketchpad and drew a few diagrams for me! 

 

I love doctors like this (bless their souls!). Wish they were a dime a dozen?!? :P 

BelleVie Enthusiast
BelleVie
Posted
  • Author

Agreed! 

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,855
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Tara M
    Newest Member
    Tara M
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • cristiana
      Ibuprofen

      By cristiana · Posted

      @Colleen H   I am just curious,  when you were tested for coeliac disease, did the doctors find out if you had any deficiencies? Sometimes muscle pain can be caused by certain deficiencies, for example, magnesium, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium.   Might be worth looking into having some more tests.  Pins and needles can be neuropathy, again caused by deficiencies, such as iron and B12,  which can be reversed if these deficiencies are addressed. In the UK where I live we are usually only tested for iron, B12 and vitamin D deficiencies at diagnosis.   I was very iron anemic and supplementation made a big difference.  B12 was low normal, but in other countries the UK's low normal would be considered a deficiency.  My vitamin D was low normal, and I've been supplementing ever since (when I remember to take it!) My pins and needles definitely started to improve when my known deficiencies were addressed.  My nutritionist also gave me a broad spectrum supplement which really helped, because I suspect I wasn't just deficient in what I mention above but in many other vitamins and minerals.  But a word of warning, don't take iron unless blood tests reveal you actually need it, and if you are taking it your levels must be regularly monitored because too much can make you ill.  (And if you are currently taking iron, that might actually be making your stomach sore - it did mine, so my GP changed my iron supplementation to a gentler form, ferrous gluconate). Lastly, have you been trying to take anything to lessen the pain in your gut?  I get a sore stomach periodically, usually when I've had too much rich food, or when I have had to take an aspirin or certain antibiotics, or after glutening.  When this happens, I take for just a few days a small daily dose of OTC omeprazole.  I also follow a reflux or gastritis diet. There are lots online but the common denominators to these diets is you need to cut out caffeine, alcohol, rich, spicy, acidic food etc and eat small regularly spaced meals.   When I get a sore stomach, I also find it helpful to drink lots of water.  I also find hot water with a few slices of ginger very soothing to sip, or camomile tea.  A wedge pillow at night is good for reflux. Also,  best not to eat a meal 2-3 hours before going to bed. If the stomach pain is getting worse, though, it would be wise to see the doctor again. I hope some of this helps. Cristiana    
    • Me,Sue
      Knowing what to do when feeling unwell.

      By Me,Sue · Posted

      I was diagnosed with coeliac disease a couple of years ago [ish]. I love my food and a variety of food, so it's been hard, as it is with everyone. I try and ensure everything I eat doesn't contain gluten, but occasionally I think something must have got through that has gluten in. Mainly I know because I have to dash to the loo, but recently I have noticed that I feel nauseous after possibly being glutened. I think the thing that I have got better at is knowing what to do when I feel wiped out after a gluten 'episode'. I drink loads of water, and have just started drinking peppermint tea. I also have rehydration powders to drink. I don't feel like eating much, but eventually feel like I need to eat. Gluten free flapjacks, or gluten free cereal, or a small gluten free kids meal are my go to. I am retired, so luckily I can rest, sometimes even going to bed when nothing else works. So I feel that I am getting better at knowing how to try and get back on track. I am also trying to stick to a simpler menu and eat mostly at home so that I can be more confident about what I am eating. THANKS TO THOSE WHO REPLIED ABOUT THE NAUSEA .
    • Francis M
      The Happy Tart review

      By Francis M · Posted

      Thanks. Since the back and forth and promises of review and general stalling went on for more than six months, the credit company will no longer investigate. They have a cutoff of maybe six months.
    • Scott Adams
      The Happy Tart review

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Is this the same restaurant? https://www.facebook.com/TheHappyTartFallsChurch/ Is it too late to take this up with your credit card company? Normally you have a few months to do a chargeback with them. It seems very odd that they are taking this approach with someone who is likely to be a regular customer--not a good business-minded way of handling things!
    • Scott Adams
      Stomach burning and neuropathy

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful: The most common nutrient deficiencies associated with celiac disease that may lead to testing for the condition include iron, vitamin D, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.  Unfortunately many doctors, including my own doctor at the time, don't do extensive follow up testing for a broad range of nutrient deficiencies, nor recommend that those just diagnosed with celiac disease take a broad spectrum vitamin/mineral supplement, which would greatly benefit most, if not all, newly diagnosed celiacs. Because of this it took me decades to overcome a few long-standing issues I had that were associated with gluten ataxia, for example numbness and tingling in my feet, and muscle knots--especially in my shoulders an neck. Only long term extensive supplementation has helped me to resolve these issues.        
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.