Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • 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

Mild case of celiac?

bgsings

By bgsings
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

bgsings Newbie
bgsings
Posted

Recently I asked my doctor about traveling in France on vacation and would it be OK to cheat a bit if I return to a gluten-free diet after. He advised my celiac is not significant enough that I need to avoid gluten. “Eat whatever you desire and enjoy your trip. Cut back if your stomach starts to bother you a bit.”  I find this a confusing message as my understanding is even a tiny amount of gluten can cause symptoms and damage. And I’m confused because saying my celiac disease is not a significant  case is like saying you’re a little bit pregnant. Isn’t it? I mean,  you either have celiac or you don’t, right? My celiac diagnosis was confirmed 1 year ago via Endo and bloodwork. I’ve been on a strict gluten-free diet ever since. My symptoms were moderate to mild. I am 63 years old. 

My  heart goes out to those of you who are extremely sensitive and have horrible symptoms and that really freaks me out but my symptoms have been moderate so my main concern is about avoiding doing damage to my intestines. Have any of you been told that because you have a mild case of celiac that you don’t have to be so strict about your diet? I found my doctors response quite perplexing.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted
43 minutes ago, bgsings said:

Recently I asked my doctor about traveling in France on vacation and would it be OK to cheat a bit if I return to a gluten-free diet after. He advised my celiac is not significant enough that I need to avoid gluten. “Eat whatever you desire and enjoy your trip. Cut back if your stomach starts to bother you a bit.”  I find this a confusing message as my understanding is even a tiny amount of gluten can cause symptoms and damage. And I’m confused because saying my celiac disease is not a significant  case is like saying you’re a little bit pregnant. Isn’t it? I mean,  you either have celiac or you don’t, right? My celiac diagnosis was confirmed 1 year ago via Endo and bloodwork. I’ve been on a strict gluten-free diet ever since. My symptoms were moderate to mild. I am 63 years old. 

My  heart goes out to those of you who are extremely sensitive and have horrible symptoms and that really freaks me out but my symptoms have been moderate so my main concern is about avoiding doing damage to my intestines. Have any of you been told that because you have a mild case of celiac that you don’t have to be so strict about your diet? I found my doctors response quite perplexing.

The truth is that a couple of cheats or accidental gluten probably won’t kill you.  But I hate to hear docs telling people it’s Ok to cheat because they do cheat.  It isn’t as bad as they thought.... so they do it again... pretty soon they are back to eating gluten and damaging themselves.  But it’s OK because some idiot with an MD said it was Ok.  Even tho the poor doctor didn’t mean you should do it over and over- he was just trying to say a one time cheat won’t hurt you permanently.

Ennis-TX Grand Master
Ennis-TX
Posted

Yeah sure a little will not kill you, bit it will still damage your organs. Residue or a crumb can leave many of us with so much pain and other issues it is ER worthy. Even if you do not feel all that bad, truth is with celiac disease your immune system will attack your intestines and destroy your villi regardless if your "feeling" it or not.....any amount, the body responds to gluten like a germ. No such thing as a mild case, gluten is gluten, and it triggers your immune system to attack you, no amount of gluten is safe for celiacs. Perspectively, would you eat a few of those little green tabs from a box of rat poison just because it is not enough to kill you?

I would stick to gluten free on your trip, the damage is not worth it, complications are not worth it, and our reactions evolve over the years so you could be stuck in france and have a new or severe reaction and bomb the whole trip. France and most EU countries should have plenty of Celiac friendly foods and places. Do some research you might get lucky and find a dedicated gluten free restaurant up there.

RMJ Mentor
RMJ
Posted

A lot of people with celiac disease react more strongly to gluten after having been gluten free for a while.  If you “cheat” you might ruin your trip.

If you’re going to Paris they have a number of completely gluten free restaurants/bakeries.  There is a thread about it somewhere on this site!

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

Open Original Shared Link

No need to cheat in Europe.  Their gluten-free products are phenomenal.  You can't even compare them to what we get here in the States.  Enjoy!

Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,040
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    StuartJ
    Newest Member
    StuartJ
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Gluten Sensitivity

      By trents · Posted

      @rjane, yes, it often feels overwhelming in the beginning. But let me encourage you by saying that it will get easier. You and your husband will develop, over time, a sixth sense of how gluten is typically hidden in the food supply and where it is found and you will develop an inventory of foods that you can trust and to stock your pantry with. The largest risk involves eating out at restaurants. Even if you order things that are naturally gluten free, you have no control over cross contamination happening back in the kitchen in how things are prepared and handled. Another trap is eating at other people's homes who are trying to accommodate your husband's need to eat gluten free but who lack knowledge about how gluten may be hidden in the food supply. I mean, who would expect to find wheat in soy sauce or Campbell's tomato soup? I know you aren't going to want to hear this, but you may want to consider making your kitchen entirely gluten free to eliminate the possibility of accidents and cross contamination. It would also simplify your meal preparation. Yes, I'm talking about both of you eating gluten free in the home. Many couples find this is the easiest and most practical approach to being consistent and keeping their celiac loved one safe. You might find this helpful:  
    • rjane
      Gluten Sensitivity

      By rjane · Posted

      I am not sure if they have tested him for SIBO  should I ask the hospital if they have tested him for that, there is so much to learn in the beginning I am not sure what or who to ask I am thinking the good folks on this site will help me, thanking you for your help  
    • trents
      Probably celiac but also confused

      By trents · Posted

      Keep us posted.
    • trents
      Gluten Sensitivity

      By trents · Posted

      Has your hubbie been checked for SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)? This is not uncommon in the celiac population. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21820-small-intestinal-bacterial-overgrowth-sibo
    • terrymouse
      Probably celiac but also confused

      By terrymouse · Posted

      Update: I got a call on Monday from the GI doctor's office, they had a cancellation and an appointment opened up for Tuesday. Not much time to prepare, but I went ahead and did it anyway. I haven't been gluten free at any point, but I haven't really loaded up as much as was recommended, either. It takes another 6-8 weeks to get the results, so I'd rather get it done now. I just hope it will be enough and I won't have to try again and delay it even longer. Thanks for the recommendations and thoughtful responses, much appreciated. I will be following up with my GP soon to check for nutritional deficiencies while I'm waiting on the test results.  
×
×
  • Create New...