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Observations After 4 Days W/o Gluten


JerryK

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JerryK Community Regular

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.


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CarlaB Enthusiast

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 Community Regular
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 Community Regular
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 Enthusiast

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!! :D

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

ravenwoodglass Mentor
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.

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