Confused about gluten challenge symptoms

[Nimsay]

Hi, I’m looking for some advice and thoughts please…

I have a history of migraines, fatigue, dizziness, recurrent miscarriage, IBS, joint and tendon issues, elevated liver enzymes.

2 years ago, following my 6th miscarriage, I started getting severe migraines, stomach pains and bad bloating and I realised it was worse when I was eating gluten. I had stopped eating most gluten years ago because it gave me such bad bloating and constipation, but that pregnancy I had really craved pasta and bread. 

Anyway since then I have mostly cut gluten out for two years and all symptoms went away.  But as soon as I accidentally had a tiny bit of gluten I would react within the day - fatigue, migraines, bloating and constipation and, since the start of this year really terrible mouth ulcers that caused constant pain would appear within hours. 

Decided to do 6-week gluten challenge to see if it was coeliac. I’m now 2.5 weeks in, and weirdly - the terrible symptoms I was getting when I was accidentally eaten gluten seem to have cleared up. Ulcers have stopped, fatigue is ok, stomach cramps and bloating is only minimal. 

The only things I’m really experiencing now are joint and tendon issues (particularly Achilles tendon stiffness)

Is this normal to feel better when I’m eating more gluten? Or is it a sign my symptoms had nothing to do with coeliac in the first place?

Sorry for the essay, I’m just so confused with it all. Thought coeliac was finally an explanation of years of issues and now not sure!

[trents]

When I was 13 or 14 years old, a buddy of mine talked me into smoking a cigarette. I only got part way through it before getting the green pukes. Common to a lot of people I understand who, nonetheless, persist on subjecting their systems to the toxic nicotine until they develop a kind of tolerance for it and don't get nauseous any longer. They may be doing all kinds of other damage to their bodies in the long run but in the short run they feel better and can look cool along with their smoker friends.

My take on your experience is that you have developed some degree of tolerance to gluten during your gluten challenge because you are getting consistent exposure. You have forced your body to cope to one degree or another, something that couldn't happen when you only got an occasional accidental exposure. However, I am not saying you are no longer doing harm to your body.

[Scott Adams]

Your experience with gluten is actually not unheard of! Some people with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) or even celiac disease report an initial ‘honeymoon phase’ during a gluten challenge, where symptoms temporarily improve before worsening again. This could be due to your body adjusting or even a temporary immune modulation. Since you’re only 2.5 weeks into the challenge, it’s possible more symptoms could reappear if you continue. Celiac testing (bloodwork and endoscopy) is most accurate after a full 6 weeks of gluten, so sticking with it for now is wise.

That said, your joint/tendon issues (especially the Achilles stiffness) are interesting—they can be linked to celiac disease or other autoimmune conditions (like rheumatoid arthritis or even reactive arthritis). Have you been tested for celiac antibodies yet? If not, that’s the next step. If the tests come back negative, NCGS or another immune-related issue (like FODMAP intolerance or mast cell activation) might still be at play.

It’s also worth noting that recurrent miscarriage and elevated liver enzymes can be linked to celiac (it’s often underdiagnosed in women with ‘atypical’ symptoms like yours). But if celiac is ruled out, a rheumatologist or a gastroenterologist who specializes in immune-related GI issues might help explore other possibilities (like Hashimoto’s, Sjögren’s, or connective tissue disorders).

Hang in there—it’s frustrating not to have clear answers, but you’re doing all the right things by paying attention to your body and pushing for testing. Keep us posted on how the rest of your gluten challenge goes!