Gluten Free For A Week, All Symptoms Gone! Possible?

[animmunetarget]

My story: Last Fall I went through several tests with my Gastro Doc trying to find the cause for my Stomach Issues. (Diarrhea within minutes of eating things, sometimes alternating with constipation...etc, stomach cramps, previous dx of IBS (Go figure) other autoimmune conditions and so forth. I had Genetic Testing done a couple months back in an effort to find the root cause of my symptoms. which included things like the above as well as Migraines very frequent and elevated Liver Enzymes for which no known cause has ever been found. The testing revealed that I have the HLA DQ 2.5 Gene and am high risk for celiac disease. That nipped it in the bud for me. I knew that every time I ate Pizza or Tacos I would be in the BR within 5-10 mins and having it run right through me. I am anemic as well. So, I thought maybe I was lactose intolerant. Still noticing symptoms even with cutting out cheese and dairy, so went back on those, thought maybe it was the sauce being too spicy..etc. As a last ditch effort I decided to put myself on this gluten-free diet along with Low Carb as I need to lose weight too. Can I say that I noticed a positive response within 2 days of having began eliminating gluten from my diet? It has been 7 days today. Just to test the waters I did eat a taco salad this past week, minus the shell. Guess what? No running to the BR at all. My BM`s are normal for the first time in years! None of this going from one spectrum to the other either the big D or Constipation, which is my usual run. I feel great! I am almost certain I have a gluten intolerance. Not sure whether it is celiac or not, but I can say that I will eat this way for the rest of my life! Its a small price to pay for having eliminated my stomach issues! 

 

Question is, Is it even possible to respond to a gluten-free diet that quick? Any thoughts?

[cyclinglady]

I'm not sure I got this straight, but your doctor tested your genes for Celiac, but did not run a full Celiac Blood panel -- especially with anemia (what kind) and liver issues?

[animmunetarget]

I'm not sure I got this straight, but your doctor tested your genes for Celiac, but did not run a full Celiac Blood panel -- especially with anemia (what kind) and liver issues?

No, I have not had any blood work to test for celiac at all. I have had an abdominal Ultrasound, Hida Scan and Upper Endoscopy. My results indicated there was minimal inflammation in my colon. As far as the Liver issues, my Liver Enzymes rollercoaster, up and then down and then up and then down..etc. My doc said the only conclusion he could come up with was likely a mild case of Autoimmune Hepatitis not bad enough for treatment. I am taking Iron Supplements for the Anemia. The Anemia was the reason I had the Gastro testing done in the first place. They thought it was my gallbladder but the Hida scan showed a High Ejection Fraction which was normal they said. They also stated I had some cysts in my gallbladder, but they were small and they just needed to monitor them for growth. Endoscopy also showed a Hiatal Hernia and some Biliary Reflux. 

[Celiac Mindwarp]

There have certainly been folks here who have had very quick results, great you have had such a good response.

If you want to be tested for celiac, you need to be eating gluten, so it would be worth getting tested ASAP, a blood test at least. It can be very hard to reintroduce once you have been off. You would also need to be eating it for a biopsy, which some doctors want for diagnosis, and to check the extent of any damage.

Some people want a diagnosis, others are happy without. Have a read around and see what you think.

Lots of us have no tests or negative test, or Non Celiac Gluten Intolerance and live gluten-free.

Check out newbie 101 in the coping section for advice when you do decide to go gluten-free.

Welcome to the board

[1desperateladysaved]

 

Question is, Is it even possible to respond to a gluten-free diet that quick? Any thoughts?

 

My MD doctor claimed that I should feel better from the very first day.  Well, I felt pretty good the first 4 days.  I had withdrawal/cross contamination issues after that.  I hope you will be able to skip that.  I have damage that is taking longer to go away, but I am feeling much better now.  I hope all the same to you.

 

D

[bartfull]

Somewhere on this forum is an early post I made stating that after a couple of weeks I felt better than I had since I was a kid. I hope this continues for you but I want to warn you that you may start feeling lousy again in a little while. Many of us do. For some of us, other intolerances rasie their ugly heads. For some, other AI conditions that were being masked by celiac raise their ugly heads. It's almost like that week or two of feeling wonderful is a sign that it IS possible, but it might take a while to get back there.

 

That being said, not all of us have these further problems. I sincerely hope you are one of those who feel great again permanently. But if not, don't give up hope. It might take a little longer to get back to the point you're at now, but you WILL. For now, try to stick to whole foods and skip the gluten-free replacements for a while. Take a good probiotic and some vitamins. It MIGHT not hurt to start a food diary so if you DO go downhill again for a while, you'll be able to single out which food is getting you. Dairy, soy, corn, and nightshades are problematic for some of us. BUT!!! Not ALL of us! You might be one of the lucky ones.

 

Also, read the Newbie 101 thread. It'll help you to ferret out the places gluten can hide and prevent you from getting cross-contaminated.

[1desperateladysaved]

How is it going now?

[animmunetarget]

This has been Day 9 with me being Low Carb and Gluten Free, keeping my carbs under 20 per day and I feel fantastic! More energy, no headaches, no stomach issues, period. Someone mentioned being allergic to corn, I already know that I am. It was always one of my problems. I take a good Multivitamin now and Magnesium Supplements. As far as getting the proper Dx, I am fine without it. This way of eating has answered any questions that I might have had. I firmly believe I am allergic to Gluten, whether its full blown celiac or not, remains to be seen. But at any rate, I know that going Gluten Free was the best thing I could have done. No more trips to the Bathroom and that is a big relief! The difference has been like Night and Day for me!