New With Question

[LAnnB]

Hi.

I have recently been considering that I may have some type of allergic reaction and found this website today. I am hoping I can get some insight as to were to start and how to approach testing, diet,....

My story: Around 15 years ago (around 20), I started having a lot of health problems, I was diagnosed with IBS, Nervous stomach, Fibromyalgia (sp?),... My symptoms include severe headaches, achy joints, painful muscles, sleep problems (they were endless). The doctor who diagnosed me with Fibro (aprox 7 years) stated he thought I was allergic to something I was eating, but had no idea if I could be tested and who to go to. My allergist said there was no food allergy testing. He suggested I remove one food at a time and then add it back in and see if I had a reaction. Fast forward to last year, I went on Atkins to lose weight after being pregnant and having a weight loss stall. I stayed on it for 9 months without any pasta, breads, ... I was actually feeling better than ever (but missed my carbs). In september I switched to Weight watchers and in November I added Oatmeal into my diet within a day I had a severe headache, next day more oatmeal, more headaches. I quit the oatmeal (don't like it anyway - just thought it would help the cholesterol). I added pizza and other flour products and within a week, I was having all the symptoms that had me diagnosed with Fibro (aches and pains all over, headaches,...).... I couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. My husband finally hit it on the nail... he said, "I would have never believed it, but I think it is the food you are eating. ". He said "for 9 months I have not heard you complain once and now it is all I am hearing again." So, I asked a co-worker, about Gluten (her daughter has Celiacs). She gave me some information, but I never did much with it. I just went back on Atkins for a while, but I grew tired of not eating what my children are eating. Also, it is much harder to start back up on it once you have stepped off the food wagon.

Anyway, Friday I had pizza and Saturday some bread, and I have had a severe headach since as well as really bad joint pain.

The pain is bad enough to make me cry and realize that I have to do something besides just guess.

Here are my questions:

1. Who is the best person (dr) to see for this (Family doctor or allergist)?

2. There is so much information out there (and with two four year olds at home, my time is tight), where is the best place to start?

3. Do you have a favorite book? A favorite recipe book?

Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

[CarlaB]

Welcome!

The test for celiac is a blood test. You want to be sure they do all the tests, someone will post what they are. Some docs only test for the IgA, but you need IgG and ttg as well, along with a couple more.

In the meantime, you need to eat gluten every day for the testing. If you're eating gluten-free, it will affect the testing because the body heals.

[PeggyV]

The blood test may be negative, but that doesnt mean you are not gluten intolerant, or have celiac for that matter. Especially if you have had a low gluten diet for a while.

I had a low gluten diet and I have tested negative in the blood test and the enterolab test except for a gluten intolerent genes and malabsorption, but I had all of your symtoms. My symptoms went away on a gluten free diet.

I would try the test first, personally I would have preferred a dr. diagnosis but I dont want to go back on gluten to get one... I would try to find someone in your area who is familiar with Celiacs. The dr. I saw when I got my colonoscopy was familar with it, he told me if the diet worked for me with my past history just stay on it.

Good luck, this site is a good source of information.