Very New Member

[Patty55]

Hello to everyone from whom I have learned so much in the past few days and thank you! Since going to Mexico 2 1/2 months ago I have been sick and sicker, finally hospitalized. CT of pelvis showed a lot of inflammations from pylorus to jejunum and I was given a probable diagnosis of Crohn's. Went home feeling weak on a low fiber diet. Started going online to different sites and forums. Spent a week with the Crohn's group (who REALLY have it bad) and did not feel this was the same. Then saw a 2nd Primary who has more on the ball & said why didn't they test for Celiac's or GB? So I just had the panel drawn & spent a day reading posts from people who have been driven to near insanity with the same strange symptoms I had. Since I had felt better on the low fiber diet but didn't realize I was avoiding wheat, it hit me after thinking it was ok to eat a sandwich with multigrained bread! All the weakness, malaise and pains were back again! I am so greatful to have read how much time it might or might not take to feel better! I don't care if the panel comes back negative now. I only know how immediately (well, within 12 hrs) I felt like my old self. I am hoping to schedule an endoscopy & colonoscopy with biopsies anyway, and will be trying to get a better fix on a gluten-free lifestyle. Thanks again! --Patty

[Guest nini]

welcome to the board, ask any question that may come up, no question is too silly or stupid, as we've all been there!

[jenvan]

Patty-

Welcome ! We are glad you're here. Please let us know when you get the final diagnosis. Also--if you have Crohn's (you can have both Crohn's and Celiac too), you should definitely read up on the SCD-Specific Carbohydrate diet. If its something you want to pursue at some point, there are quite a few here on the diet. It is a diet that restricts gluten in addition to most carbs--carbs that take the body longer to break down, thereby encouraging bacterial growth and balance upset in the gut. Below are some links to sites that explain the diet: Open Original Shared Link, Open Original Shared Link, Open Original Shared Link I like posting the amazon site for the book b/c there are about 160 reviews you can read--most of them all 4 stars and people who have experienced great improvement, healing or remission from Crohn's, Colitis, IBD...and Celiacs who have had improvement that made too slow of progress or incomplete recovery on the gluten free diet alone. If you have Celiac, the time for improvement really varies person to person--some feel better immediately, others it takes some months. Either way, the gluten free diet is totally doable...and if you have any questions or issues, you can ask away here.

[jaten]

Welcome! Sounds like whether you have Celiac or not, you're certainly gluten-intolerant. Whatever your tests reveal, welcome to this board and to the gluten-free life.

[evie]

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Welcome to a very helpful board!! I have been here less than a month but have learned so much that has made my bad days easier!! do not be too surprised if your biopsy does not show celiac but many of us are getting better on the gluten free diet. this is a very caring and helpful group, scott included. My blood tests showed a gluten problem 3 months ago and improvement has been slow for me. My dr. diagnosed me as "presumed celiac" until I go on gluten again and have another biopsy. Not sure i want to do that???

you came to the RIGHT place.. Again welcome newcomer!! evie

[tarnalberry]

welcome to the board!

[mouse]

Welcome to the board. I was gluten-free for over a year when I finally joined. I learned more here then the 300 plus hours of research that I had done prior to joining. This is a very helpful forum and ask away with any questions.

[Patty55]

Thank you so much the welcomes and I WILL be asking questions. Fortunately, you've answered some already before I thought of them! I went out and bought my first loaf of brown rice bread (as a life without sandwiches sounds messy) and pasta today. I feel like I have a new pet!

A little disappointed to learn that a biopsy, too, can be inconclusive for celiac, but I can figure no other reason to be having a pretty calm stomach, NO headaches or weakness in just two days. Can you tell me if a blood test for gluten is different from a celiac panel? Thanks also for the SDC diet and the Amazon sites! I can't believe anyone wouldn't need a book but have cut and pasted many recipes and shopping advice from this site already.

Thanks again everyone!

Patty