Newbie Question

[Cornhusker]

I'm not currently gluten-free. In fact, my diet is rather heavily slanted towards wheat at the moment. I've been feeling pretty poorly for the last couple months and have had occasional IBS-like symptoms for around 6 years.

The recent D that wasn't going away as it used to and unintentional weight-loss sent my to the family doctor. I was then referred to a GI doc who rapidly had me in for a colonoscopy and endo on 7/3. Apparently, according to the nurse I spoke to this morning, the biopsy results have come back positive for celiac. I have a consult scheduled with the doctor next Wednesday where I expect to get the 'official' news.

This is all well and good, but I have a question that I haven't found an answer to during my research:

Right now my symptoms aren't 'catastrophic' and I'm eating gluten-containing food at every meal. Is it possible to have a 'tolerance' to gluten in the early stages of the disease? When I go gluten-free will this tolerance go away? I've read how many of you have relatively strong reactions to very trace amounts of gluten. The basic question is, "Will I become more susceptible to gluten reaction when my diet is free of the substance?"

Being a newbie, I'm relatively confident that I can manage a gluten-free diet in the confines of my own home (we'll see how well this belief stands up to reality). The problem lies outside my home where my control of the situation will be reduced. Like the rest of you, I don't want to become a prisoner of this diet.

Thanks for reading.

[lorka150]

Hi there,

I think I understand what you mean. before I was gluten free, I felt sort of just 'bad' all the time... But I thought it was normal. When I went gluten-free, I noticed a large change. Now when I accidently consume it, it is VERY noticable.

Hope that (slightly) helps.

And welcome!

[powderprincess]

Hi there,

I think I understand what you mean. before I was gluten free, I felt sort of just 'bad' all the time... But I thought it was normal. When I went gluten-free, I noticed a large change. Now when I accidently consume it, it is VERY noticable.

Hope that (slightly) helps.

And welcome!

That's a good way to put it for me too.

It is important to maintain a gluten free diet in order for your body to properly absorb nurtients and all that. Besides feeling a little bit (or a lot) bad after I ate, I felt fine. Little did I know I was not absorbing calcium and now have low bone denisty. I hope you do not have complications but no gluten is the way to go even if you start feeling better. One piece of bread is not worth hurting your health for.

This site has many good resources and people. I hope you are able to find gluten-free-friendly restaurants in your area and in places you may travel to. If you are ever in Boston I can send you to a couple good places where you can eat safely and deliciously.

[tiredofdoctors]

I agree. Gluten actually affects only my brain (long story), but I can definitely tell a difference when I accidentally get "glutened". The thing about gluten-free is that it is all or nothing. You can't just do it "a little". I would recommend you get the book "Dangerous Grains" by Dr. Peter Greene. It has really GOOD information for someone newly diagnosed. The problem with continuing with gluten is that you don't know WHAT damage is being done . . . and WHERE in your body . . . If the doctor can tell prior to the biopsy that you're celiac, my advice is to go gluten-free, and the sooner, the better. It's a pain in the butt at first, but once you get used to it, and get your family and significant other on board, it's really not that hard. It just takes some work at first. Luckily, this forum is a WEALTH of people with experience, knowledge, and sometimes most importantly, compassion. Good luck to you, Lynne