Another Newb On Gluten This Month For Testing

[edgymama]

My story is like many from what I have read, I am 36 and have had seasonal allergies all my life, mom claims I was anemic off and on and had allergies to dairy and soy as a baby (have had it all my life though so I don't think those cause issues). IN 2003 I believe it was they gave me some blood test and said I didn't have celiac and I had IBS (alternating C and D). Along the way lots of other things have stood out to me especially fatigue, and increasing anxiety the past few years. I just figured that I had an IBS reaction to MSG since it seemed every time I had take out or can soup etc...I was in the bathroom within about 30 minutes of eating it. 

 

More reading got me to thinking that perhaps the test they did back in 2003 wasn't all that great and maybe I do have at least a gluten sensitivity but never pursued it just dealt with it. In July this summer I had HORRID bloating occur that lasted almost a week. I felt as if I was on my due date with a child type bloating! I went to the doctor and they ran some tests for a bacteria and UTI/Bladder infections and an ultrasound, all came back normal. I let them know I was still having issues and wanted answers. They sent me to a surgeon because they found polyps on my gall bladder. I KNEW it was not my gall bladder and luckily the surgeon listened to me and said he was in total agreement that the tiny polyps they saw were NOT the cause and were not anything they needed to be concerned about. 

 

Got in with a GI doctor and although I just met with the NP she heard my heart murmur straight away (impressive as so many doctors miss it on me) then she ordered me to eat gluten this month (I had been off it since the bloating issue so maybe a month off of it). I go for my blood tests on October 25th and that day cannot come soon enough. Actually the day cannot come soon enough for me to go off gluten again I should say! 

 

The month I was off of it I was regaining energy, I only had D maybe once or twice which was linked to panic attack over my 4 year old (she has asthma and I am highly wondering if she too doesn't have gluten issues!). I just felt better. Oh and the biggest thing for me, I wasn't hungry! See I am overweight (actually obese by today's standards being 5'2 and in the 180's currently) and I am pretty much always open to eating and the month off of gluten I was finding myself not snacking during my normal snack attack time (right after work). 

 

I know now that even if my tests are negative that I am going off gluten 100% as the proof was in the pudding with how much better I felt!!! 

 

Oh and now with being back on it for only 2 weeks so far I am bloated, my stomach is almost always gassy, my eyes have horrible bags under them even though I am getting a decent amount of sleep, my tummy just aches almost daily, the brain fog is bad, and I just feel swollen everywhere not just my stomach! 

[SuzLin]

I tested positive for celiac and still have issues. One thing I've read a lot about is intestinal yeast overgrowth. I read some tips for minimizing this and am going to try. I too had polyps visible in my endoscopy, but in my stomach. They came back totally benign, but consistent with inflammation from celiac.

[SuzLin]

Oh....My insane hunger went away after being gluten free too. I used to get "episodes" where I thought I had low blood sugar. It was awful.

[edgymama]

Oh....My insane hunger went away after being gluten free too. I used to get "episodes" where I thought I had low blood sugar. It was awful.

Good glad I am not alone! I am having it like crazy today! Only a few more weeks hopefully......

[cyclinglady]

Hang in there! The weeks will fly by and you will be glad that you did it! It will be nice to have a definitive answer.