Very Upset With Myself

[Bumblebee]

Hi everyone. I am new to the board. Last January, I tested positive for gluten sensitivity through Enterolab. I guess I didn't want to believe it was "that bad" because it was just above the the positive result. All the other tests (ttg, casein, egg, yeast) were negative. Malabsorption was also negative, albeit very close to the positive number (296). And I have one copy of a gluten sensitivity gene, but no celiac genes. So, I was definitely trying justify everything.

Fast-forward a year-and-a half later, I am still eating gluten and still miserable. I even thought about ordering another test from Enterolab to "make sure" they were right the first time. Part of me is actually scared that it might be worse. Another part of me is scared that it might be negative because I was just above the value for a positive result...if it were negative, I wouldn't know of anything that causes all the ailments I have and that's even scarier than thinking it is gluten. I think I'm starting to sound a little nuts. I know that I feel better when I don't eat gluten. I am a different person if I just switch from wheat to rice. No heartburn or stomach cramping or diarrhea or headaches or eczema.

I don't even know what the point of this is. I guess I just want to say hi and that I am planning to go shopping tomorrow and stock up on gluten free foods. I have to do this for me. There's just this nagging part of me that doesn't want to believe this is true. I know I just need to suck it up and take care of myself.

Shannon

[CarlaB]

Don't be mad at yourself. My casein score came back 30 from Enterolab (less than ten is normal). I wasn't ready to eliminate both gluten and casein, so only eliminated gluten. I felt a lot better, but thought I kept getting glutened until I realized it was always after dairy! Now I'm off both.

Denial is a normal stage. You should go gluten-free and stay that way. Your absorption is already suffering -- since it was the high end of normal last year, it's probably worse this year. Don't fret about the past, you can't change it. You can change the future.

My daughter got a low positive score, too. We just consider that we caught hers before it had done as much damage as it had done to me.

[Bumblebee]

Don't be mad at yourself. My casein score came back 30 from Enterolab (less than ten is normal). I wasn't ready to eliminate both gluten and casein, so only eliminated gluten. I felt a lot better, but thought I kept getting glutened until I realized it was always after dairy! Now I'm off both.

Denial is a normal stage. You should go gluten-free and stay that way. Your absorption is already suffering -- since it was the high end of normal last year, it's probably worse this year. Don't fret about the past, you can't change it. You can change the future.

My daughter got a low positive score, too. We just consider that we caught hers before it had done as much damage as it had done to me.

Thanks for your response, Carla.

You are so kind. I am 26, so I guess it's sort of good that I tested early before it gets very, very bad. Even if I did retest, it would be probably be worse anyway. The most important diagnosis is the fact that I feel MUCH better without gluten. I keep reminding myself that is what is MOST important.

[CarlaB]

Thanks for your response, Carla.

You are so kind. I am 26, so I guess it's sort of good that I tested early before it gets very, very bad. Even if I did retest, it would be probably be worse anyway. The most important diagnosis is the fact that I feel MUCH better without gluten. I keep reminding myself that is what is MOST important.

That IS what is most important, even Enterolab says that on their website. You are lucky, I was 43 when I discovered what my problem was.

[Ursa Major]

Hi Shannon, and welcome to this board. Don't be too hard on yourself, it is such a big lifestyle change! As Carla said, you can't change the past. Change your eating habits today and go gluten-free, to make sure your future looks brighter, and you get well. And if you post here whenever you are tempted to cheat (or whenever you need us), we'll make sure we give you the encouragement you need to stop yourself.

[Shannon27]

Shannon,

I'm a Shannon too. Welcome! I know this is hard. I just went gluten free this past Monday. It is the hardest thing I've ever done. Carla mentioned denial. I was there too. All these ladies on here are so supportive and kind. Please come here whenever you need us.

Hugs,

Shannon

[evie]

Shannon,

I'm a Shannon too. Welcome! I know this is hard. I just went gluten free this past Monday. It is the hardest thing I've ever done. Carla mentioned denial. I was there too. All these ladies on here are so supportive and kind. Please come here whenever you need us.

Hugs,

I have only been on the forum since early April so I am fairly new too. I agree it is quite a shock to be diagnosed celiac and go on new way of eating. But it sure pays off and hopefully you will not get yourself in as bad shape as some of us who were not diagnosed for many years!! some doctors just do not know enough about this problem so you keep going around to many Dr's. It is so good to be feeling better even if you know you will feel better yet later when you get more things under control. Just hang in here and learn from the many peo-ple who know how to research problems. so many of the posters here know more than any Dr., and they share their info. Takes patience but I am sure you have that too. evie