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

How Long On A Wheat Free Diet?

poppet

By poppet
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

poppet Rookie
poppet
Posted

Hi there i was wondering how long it takes for you to feel 100% better after you start the wheat free diet? i have been on it since March now 7 months and i am only just seing a proper improvement, can anyone help me on this i think i read somewhere it could take up to 2 years!! is this true?

Hope you can advise, love Poppet x

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


nettiebeads Apprentice
nettiebeads
Posted
Hi there i was wondering how long it takes for you to feel 100% better after you start the wheat free diet? i have been on it since March now 7 months and i am only just seing a proper improvement, can anyone help me on this i think i read somewhere it could take up to 2 years!! is this true?

Hope you can advise, love Poppet x

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The healing rate depends on how long you were sick before dx, your own healing rate, total damage done before dx, and how strictly you are adhering to the gluten-free diet. Please note that wheat free doesn't mean gluten free! Rye products, barley (and items containing malt which is almost always made from barley) have gluten and must be avoided. And if you are stateside, oat products are severly cross contaminated here. And watch out for cross-contamination in the home, at restaurants and everywhere else. And also there is that pesky hidden gluten - items flavored with soy or terriyaki sauce almost always have wheat added. And check health and beauty aids also. Have you mastered the art of constant label reading? But the fact that you are now seeing improvement is good. By being totally gluten free you will regain your health and life. :)

Carriefaith Enthusiast
Carriefaith
Posted
Hi there i was wondering how long it takes for you to feel 100% better after you start the wheat free diet? i have been on it since March now 7 months and i am only just seing a proper improvement, can anyone help me on this i think i read somewhere it could take up to 2 years!! is this true?
Have you been diagnosed or tested for celiac disease?
VydorScope Proficient
VydorScope
Posted
The healing rate depends on how long you were sick before dx, your own healing rate, total damage done before dx, and how strictly you are adhering to the gluten-free diet.  Please note that wheat free doesn't mean gluten free!  Rye products, barley (and items containing malt which is almost always made from barley) have gluten and must be avoided.  And if you are stateside, oat products are severly cross contaminated here.  And watch out for cross-contamination in the home, at restaurants and everywhere else.  And also there is that pesky hidden gluten - items flavored with soy or terriyaki sauce almost always have wheat added.  And check health and beauty aids also.  Have you mastered the art of constant label reading?  But the fact that you are now seeing improvement is good.  By being totally gluten free you will regain your health and life. :)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Inaddtion, You might find this list helpfull...

https://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodi...-16105308941.a7

Billygoat Apprentice
Billygoat
Posted
Hi there i was wondering how long it takes for you to feel 100% better after you start the wheat free diet? i have been on it since March now 7 months and i am only just seing a proper improvement, can anyone help me on this i think i read somewhere it could take up to 2 years!! is this true?

Hope you can advise, love Poppet x

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Poppet,

I fear you are making the same mistake that I made. I thought wheat-free meant gluten-free. It does not. Gluten is in other grains, as someone else mentioned. It is also in other ingredients in foods that you don't typically associate grains with. I've been wheat-free for years. Couldn't figure out why I felt a little better, but would have days, sometimes months of feeling like before. It wasn't until this past summer that I went Gluten-free. Since then I've felt better than I have in ages. My biggest pitfalls were eating oats, spelt, and all the gluten in dressings, sauces, marinades, eating out, etc. You might consider doing a little more research, eliminating gluten (not just wheat) out of your system and see how you feel in a month or so. That's what it took for me. A good month going VERY Gluten-free and I felt like a new girl.

Good luck!

Andi

poppet Rookie
poppet
Posted
  • Author

Hi there and thanks for your replies, i have yet to be diagnosed, my gp is on at the hospital for my results as the specialist refused to give them to me and i am on yearly appointments, he said i need to know for definate...

I have ulcerative colitis that wasnt changing despite being on heaps of meds, i came of the med after a year as they were making me bleed and then got told to go on this diet...

I have been on it since march, the specialist did a stool and blood tests in march but not got any results yet, i did see an improvement within 2 days with the toileting business and i had a couple of things with wheat/gluten in them and imediatly had terrible cramps like i had been puched in the tummy and then i needed the loo...

I dont even know what i should be looking for to see any improvements, but i have always had exema and spots and greasy skin and hair but this has inproved greatly the only real thing i am concerned about is my weight since march i have lost 5 stone i seem to have evened out now and i am stuck at 9 stone, does this normally happen??..

I have so many question and no answers, so sorry if i appear a bit thick or trying at times...

Poppet x x x

nettiebeads Apprentice
nettiebeads
Posted
Hi there and thanks for your replies, i have yet to be diagnosed, my gp is on at the hospital for my results as the specialist refused to give them to me and i am on yearly appointments, he said i need to know for definate...

I have ulcerative colitis that wasnt changing despite being on heaps of meds, i came of the med after a year as they were making me bleed and then got told to go on this diet...

I have been on it since march, the specialist did a stool and blood tests in march but not got any results yet, i did see an improvement within 2 days with the toileting business and i had a couple of things with wheat/gluten in them and imediatly had terrible cramps like i had been puched in the tummy and then i needed the loo...

I dont even know what i should be looking for to see any improvements, but i have always had exema and spots and greasy skin and hair but this has inproved greatly the only real thing i am concerned about is my weight since march i have lost 5 stone i seem to have evened out now and i am stuck at 9 stone, does this normally happen??..

I have so many question and no answers, so sorry if i appear a bit thick or trying at times...

Poppet x x x

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How can you be thick or trying? We're here for each other. Celiac is a complicated disease with a very simple treatment. The gluten-free diet is very simple in principal, but hard at times to execute. And if medicos, dietitians and nutritionists don't understand it, how can we as lay people get our minds to grasp it? And since I'm from across the pond, what's a stone?

And since you've shown such a marked improvement on the gluten-free diet, that in itself would give you a dx - if not full blown celiac, then definitely gluten intolerant.

Keep on taking care of yourself.

Annette

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,898
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    MLucia
    Newest Member
    MLucia
    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

    • trents
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @Judy M! Yes, he definitely needs to continue eating gluten until the day of the endoscopy. Not sure why the GI doc advised otherwise but it was a bum steer.  Celiac disease has a genetic component but also an "epigenetic" component. Let me explain. There are two main genes that have been identified as providing the "potential" to develop "active" celiac disease. We know them as HLA-DQ 2.5 (aka, HLA-DQ 2) and HLA-DQ8. Without one or both of these genes it is highly unlikely that a person will develop celiac disease at some point in their life. About 40% of the general population carry one or both of these two genes but only about 1% of the population develops active celiac disease. Thus, possessing the genetic potential for celiac disease is far less than deterministic. Most who have the potential never develop the disease. In order for the potential to develop celiac disease to turn into active celiac disease, some triggering stress event or events must "turn on" the latent genes. This triggering stress event can be a viral infection, some other medical event, or even prolonged psychological/emotional trauma. This part of the equation is difficult to quantify but this is the epigenetic dimension of the disease. Epigenetics has to do with the influence that environmental factors and things not coded into the DNA itself have to do in "turning on" susceptible genes. And this is why celiac disease can develop at any stage of life. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition (not a food allergy) that causes inflammation in the lining of the small bowel. The ingestion of gluten causes the body to attack the cells of this lining which, over time, damages and destroys them, impairing the body's ability to absorb nutrients since this is the part of the intestinal track responsible for nutrient absorption and also causing numerous other food sensitivities such as dairy/lactose intolerance. There is another gluten-related disorder known as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just, "gluten sensitivity") that is not autoimmune in nature and which does not damage the small bowel lining. However, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It is also much more common than celiac disease. There is no test for NCGS so, because they share common symptoms, celiac disease must first be ruled out through formal testing for celiac disease. This is where your husband is right now. It should also be said that some experts believe NCGS can transition into celiac disease. I hope this helps.
    • Judy M
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By Judy M · Posted

      My husband has had lactose intolerance for his entire life (he's 68 yo).  So, he's used to gastro issues. But for the past year he's been experiencing bouts of diarrhea that last for hours.  He finally went to his gastroenterologist ... several blood tests ruled out other maladies, but his celiac results are suspect.  He is scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2 weeks.  He was told to eat "gluten free" until the tests!!!  I, and he know nothing about this "diet" much less how to navigate his in daily life!! The more I read, the more my head is spinning.  So I guess I have 2 questions.  First, I read on this website that prior to testing, eat gluten so as not to compromise the testing!  Is that true? His primary care doctor told him to eat gluten free prior to testing!  I'm so confused.  Second, I read that celiac disease is genetic or caused by other ways such as surgery.  No family history but Gall bladder removal 7 years ago, maybe?  But how in God's name does something like this crop up and now is so awful he can't go a day without worrying.  He still works in Manhattan and considers himself lucky if he gets there without incident!  Advice from those who know would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Scott Adams
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten free beer ?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
    • trents
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
×
×
  • 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.