I Guess I'm Official. Just Got My Enterolab Results.

[GeoffCJ]

backstory -

Been having symptoms for 10-12 years. Mainly gastrointestinal in nature, cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, etc. Frequently needing to use the restroom soon after eating. This was variously diagnosed as Lactose Intolerance (not true, I went Lactose free for a long time, and it never helped) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (generic Catchall phrase).

I also had fairly severe issues with my hands and feet going numb/tingling/"falling asleep". Frequent, painful, and occasionally made doing even simple things hard, like walking and typing. I also had bouts with insomnia.

After trying the south beach diet, I felt much better. I started the tests, and living gluten-lite, then trying to be Gluten Free.

Negative Blood Tests

Endoscopy showed clear Gastroenteritis, but not Celiacs (I'd been Gluten free for 5-6 weeks)

Dietary response was clearly positive. I feel much better, and have had less symptoms, but not perfect yet.

I have the Genes for both Celiac and non-celiac Gluten sensitivity.

Positive Antigliadin IgA

So I guess I'm as official as I'm going to get. Crap. There was a big part of me that wanted to be wrong. Wanted it to be something that could be cured, so I could eat normally sometime in the future. Crap. I haven't been finding the diet that bad at home, but hate not being able to eat out normally with my family and friends.

I'm bummed.

Geoff

[Nancym]

Another way to look at it is that you now know what you have to do to feel healthy and keep your brain/bowels functioning well. That seems like a huge win to me versus going through life in pain and possibly causing yourself brain damage.

[Viola 1]

At least you have an answer now and can deal with it.

I think most of us are bummed about not being able to go out with family and friends and just order "like normal people".

I'm fortunate that we do have one cafe in the area where we can just say ... I want the #1 chinese gluten free please ... and leave it at that. We can also do that with fish & chips at that particular cafe, but it took several of us talking to the owner and he hired a Celiac person on his staff to help set up the kitchen.

I firmly believe that if enough of us continually went to a local cafe in our area and worked at it, there would be a lot more cafes that we could pop into. There is getting to be more of us all the time.

[2boysmama]

Hi Geoff -

I know how you feel - I felt the same exact way after I had my son tested and found out that both my husband and I carry at least one GS gene each (we haven't been tested ourselves yet). I fought "giving in" to the diagnosis for a lonnnnnnnnnng time. I can honestly say though, I feel SO much better going gluten-free that it definitely, positively offsets the "inconvenience" of not being able to go out to eat "like normal people." Do I miss being able to do that sometimes ? Sure I do, but I'm enjoying feeling well so much more than I ever enjoyed eating out. You'll get there too.

[Slackermommy]

Well Geoff...I am glad you got the results, I know you were anxious to get them.

You know I was recently diagnosed, and I def. feel that the diagnosis is bittersweet. I think that is the best word for it.

Great to know. Great we don't need drugs. But completely stinks on special occasions. (I include going out to eat in that one.)

The thing Enterolab did for me? It gave me the proof I needed to completely adopt this lifestyle.

Good luck. It stinks. But it's great too.

Bittersweet.

[Judyin Philly]

what test did you do at EnteroLabs?

Where did you do the blood work..?

Did you have trouble with dairy or did they test that

Just sent mine in yesterday after 19 months gluten-free..

judy

[GeoffCJ]

  Judyin Philly said:

what test did you do at EnteroLabs?

Where did you do the blood work..?

Did you have trouble with dairy or did they test that

Just sent mine in yesterday after 19 months gluten-free..

judy

I got the package, The full panel, from enterolab. Gene Tests, etc, etc.

The blood test was done through the university health care system. The said I was not reacting to Casein, and I don't think I'm reacting to Casein/Dairy, though I'm not sure. I seem to do OK, but occasionally I'm still having issues.

Good luck with yours Judy!

Geoff

[Judyin Philly]

thanks so much for the note.

i'll keep you posted. i think i'm going to find daiRy and soy as i know i react..

the gluten isn't so bad for me ...it's the dairy i will SOOOOO MISS.. I LOVE MY (((WOOPS))) I DID LOVE MY CHEESE..GRRR.

JUDY