Hi, I'm New To All This And Just Wondering....

[IrishLisa]

Hi all,

I've been reading the messages on the forum for a few weeks now & have to say that I find the information on here so helpful.

Just to give you a brief run down (or at least as brief as I possibly can!):- I've been casein intolerant since birth & problems with some soya based formulas too from what my mom remembers. For as long as I can remember I have had GI problems, with C (some D), cramps & bloating being the main complaints. In childhood, I also had C, chronic asthma and ezcema. For as long as I can remember I have had a recurrent yeast infection, which is very annoying , my hair falls out, I get unexplained bruises, and my cuts/scratches heal soooo slowly, mouth ulcers and really cold hands and feet, night sweats etc

For most of my adult life I have stayed away from things like bread, pasta etc. The main reason being that it they have always made me feel sluggish, bloated, given me C and made me feel as though I'm gaining weight. Also, they also make me feel very full and don't seem to be hungry for a few days afterwards. So, I guess without realising it I just unconsciously stopped eating these things. During the past year I started eating pizza, some wholemeal bread etc in an effort to add more fiber to my diet and have had all of the GI symptoms that I described above. C & bloating being the absolute worst. My mom also has many of the same complaints (inc. casein intolerance), but reluctant to do anything about it. I decided to do some investigation and think that many of my symptoms may point towards celiac disease.

Although, many of your posts suggested continuing to eat gluten and get an official dx, I fell into the trap of going gluten-free for a few weeks..just to see what happens. Have been gluten-free for almost 6 weeks now with unbelievable results. I have more energy, feel refreshed in the morning, no more talking in my sleep (so my boyfriend tells me) and no more night sweats and vivid dreams. Also BMs seem to be normal again, which is a relief. Unfortunately, I ate food containing gluten yesterday and am suffering for it now. So bloated that my bf said that I could pass for being pregnant!! Oh yeah & C again....

I live in Spain and the whole celiac thing is really foreign to them. Even doctors & chemists aren't at all helpful. The only silver lining is that it is relatively easy to get gluten-free products because many of health food stores stock them and eating as I love seafood and salads, eating out is relatively easy too.

Guess what I'm asking really is do I need to return to eating gluten and get an official dx? Or is my positive response to a gluten-free diet my dx?

Finally, just wondering if anyone else has been known to talk in their sleep, which stopped when gluten-free? Just think that it seems bizarre that I used to talk so frequently in my sleep and always have done and now not a murmur. My bf is a really light sleeper, so he always wakes up if I start talking.

Thanks in advance for any replies

Lisa

[StrongerToday]

It's your body! If you feel you have to have an official diagnosis, then you probably should return to eating gluten and get the tests done. But, even if you do that - you may or may not get an official diagnosis. I got my bloodwork done before going gluten-free and it came up "normal", but my dr. encouraged me to try going gluten-free and diary free for six weeks to see if I was feeling better. When I returned six weeks later and told him I was doing much better, he said to listen to my body and not worry about an "official" piece of paper.

[kabowman]

I went gluten-free before talking to a doc, felt so much better by the time I did talk to the docs, I refused to go back on a gluten diet for a positive dx.

I wasn't sure I liked it at first, now I don't care. I feel better and that is the important thing.