Celiac Or Not?

[mike2184]

Let me preface this by saying that I know for 100% certain that I have a gluten intolerance. I will also never knowingly eat gluten again. I was just wondering from my symptoms and recovery time if anyone can give me their best guess as to whether I am celiac. My great aunt is celiac, but she is the only one in my family who has been diagnosed.

I am a 31 year-old male who has always been in pretty good shape. In January 2006, I began having tingling sensations in my hands and feet. So, I began the process of doctor/neuro visits. My bloodwork was normal (b12 was around 400, I think), MRI normal, neuro diagnosed me with a mild sensory neuropathy - basically told me it was no big deal. Tingling was getting worse in late May - my hand would tingle so bad that it would wake me up every hour. I was also catching a cold about once a month since January, when in the past I would maybe have 1 cold a year.

At this point, I started doing research on what could be causing neuropathy. When I came across celiac/gluten intolerance as one of the possibilities, everything started to make sense. For about the past 3 years, I would have the big D about once every few months. This had increased to about once every month since January. I was able to reconcile all of the episodes that I could remember to a heavy gluten intake occurring on the same day.

So, I went gluten free on June 16. The next day my hands stopped tingling and haven't started again. My feet still get a little sore at the end of a workday but they are much better than they were and getting better. I haven't had any D except for once when I probably was glutened from eating out. I have purposely tried to consume reasonable amounts of dairy and soy to see if I have any intolerance to them. So far, nothing. No colds since end of May, and I feel great.

So, diagnose away. Thanks in advance - this forum has been a great help to me over the past month.

[AndreaB]

Welcome Mike.

I don't whether you are celiac or "just" gluten intolerant. Both are gluten free for life. Sounds like you are on the right path.

[Aerin328]

Mike,

I can't say whether or not you are Celiac, but I can at least tell you I've experienced similar symptoms. A few years ago I had a heat stroke in Cheng Du China and spent 4 days in a Chinese hospital. After the experience I felt like I had respiratory problems and my hands (and sometimes feet) would tingle and sometimes even go numb. After several months it went away. Now separately, 3.5 months ago, I've been striken with a gastro-intestinal plague which has recently been diagnosed as Celiac's disease. (Until last month I had never even heard of it!) During this latest illness I have also experienced the tingling/numb hands. I feel they are a symptom of something I've had with me for a very long time which only comes out during illness or physical stress - I currently postulate (as I am now diagnosed) that something must be Celiac. There is research out there that confirms Celiac disease can cause central nervous system distress and damage... so Celiac is definitely a possibility in your case I would say. That's great you've got the sensations to cease, you sound like you're on the path to health. Keep it up!

Christian

[rinne]

Let me preface this by saying that I know for 100% certain that I have a gluten intolerance. I will also never knowingly eat gluten again. I was just wondering from my symptoms and recovery time if anyone can give me their best guess as to whether I am celiac. My great aunt is celiac, but she is the only one in my family who has been diagnosed.

Hi and welcome. This is a wonderful forum with lots of great resources, the people being the greatest resource.

It sounds to me like you have an answer in the combination of a genetic connection and a positive dietary response. Congratulations on figuring it out so quickly, I hope your health continues to improve.

[aprilh]

I do not know the difference between being celiac or gluten intolerant. Therefore I cannot answer that, however, sounds like you are definately on the right path!

Can anyone clarify the difference?

[nettiebeads]

I do not know the difference between being celiac or gluten intolerant. Therefore I cannot answer that, however, sounds like you are definately on the right path!

Can anyone clarify the difference?

Where's Tarnalberry when you need her? Does there really have to be a difference? The diet is the same, and some have surmised that the amount of damage is the deciding factor. I don't think I had much damage when I was dx'd by diet challenge alone after 6 weeks of D. But that's the only test I had and I so won't ingest gluten knowingly for any other test. gluten-free is the only answer to either dx.

Annette

[eKatherine]

Where's Tarnalberry when you need her? Does there really have to be a difference? The diet is the same, and some have surmised that the amount of damage is the deciding factor. I don't think I had much damage when I was dx'd by diet challenge alone after 6 weeks of D. But that's the only test I had and I so won't ingest gluten knowingly for any other test. gluten-free is the only answer to either dx.

Annette

I think celiac is when you've reached the point where you're quite sick before you begin treatment, though for many doctors, it is also necessary to get a positive endoscopy.

[Rikki Tikki]

It seems to me they would be one and the same. With both of them you must remain gluten free the rest of your life. Could the difference be a genetic link? I am not sure, but welcome to the board