Observations After 4 Days W/o Gluten

[JerryK]

OK, so I did what you guys said not to do and I stopped eating Gluten to see if my symptoms

went away. I know, I know.... For my own sanity I had to do this and see what happened.

After eating only safe stuff for 4 days, here's the differences I note.

-Most of my GI symptoms have abated. No more cramping and D. Stools (sorry)

are not so loose, but still on the yellowish side.

-I've gone from having to go to the bathroom (Yep #2)4-5 times before lunch, to only once..which is

much more normal.

-My stomache feels less "raw" then it did.

-A lot of the aches and pains I had earlier in the week are not so prominent.

-I've noticed less fatigue first thing in the morning. Especially noticeable on the drive

to work. I'm much more alert and almost antsy. I feel different somehow, and I can't

quite put my finger on it.

Now, in the next day or so, I will go back on my usual diet and see what happens. I will slowly

introduce things that contain Gluten to see if I can tie a reaction to something specific. After

several weeks, I'll go to my dr. and get tested.

[CarlaB]

Careful, you may become addicted to being gluten-free!!! A biopsy is usually a wait of several weeks anyway ... you could get it scheduled.

[JerryK]

Careful, you may become addicted to being gluten-free!!! A biopsy is usually a wait of several weeks anyway ... you could get it scheduled.

You know, I'm not sure I even care if I have a biopsy. If I have the blood test and it comes out postive, plus I have symptoms when I eat Gluten, I think that's good enough for me. Any thoughts on that?

[penguin]

You know, I'm not sure I even care if I have a biopsy. If I have the blood test and it comes out postive, plus I have symptoms when I eat Gluten, I think that's good enough for me. Any thoughts on that?

That's what I thought to, with my inconclusive bloodwork and positive dietary response. Fast forward 4 months and here I am eating gluten like the pillsbury doughboy to have a biopsy done because I want to be extra sure of my dx...and I'd like my insurance company to be as well...

[CarlaB]

My blood test was negative due to being off gluten at the time, my biopsy was negative which could be due to many reasons ... my enterolab showed a gluten response, both to the gluten and the autoimmune response ... I'm 100% gluten-free going on 5 months, so, yes I think the antibodies and dietary response are enough ... otherwise I would not be gluten-free. If I had any thought of going back to gluten, like I did when I was in denial, my kids and husband would set me straight!!!

In fact, if the antibodies are in your blood, what I don't undersand is why they even have to show damage ... I mean, does it follow that a celiac proven by biopsy no longer has celiac but is only gluten intolerant after their intestines heal? Same with DH? I can see why people want biopsies, to get the diagnosis, which I kind of wish I had, plus they can let you know how bad of damage you have, but I don't see the need for them for diagnosis.

I think the current tests are obsolete ... but that's my not so humble opinion!!

Man, I should have stuck to one cup of coffee today!!!!

[ravenwoodglass]

You know, I'm not sure I even care if I have a biopsy. If I have the blood test and it comes out postive, plus I have symptoms when I eat Gluten, I think that's good enough for me. Any thoughts on that?

I am one of the unfortunate folks who kept testing negative on blood tests. Noone ever mentioned the diet even though I have DH. The trusting of the blood tests, by my doctors, delayed may diagnosis by over 5 years, horrible horrible years. This has left me with permanent damage to my nervous system and to my pancreas (recently diagnosed diabetic). It sounds to me like you have had a real positive dietary result. I would be more inclined to continue with the gluten free diet for a few more weeks and then if you feel the need to a careful gluten challange and see what happens. Your body should tell you, heck sounds like maybe it already has.