Introducing Myself; Seeking Diagnosis

[zarfkitty]

Hi everyone!

I have landed on celiac as a strong possibility for my myriad "mysterious" symptoms for the past eight years. I'm surprised I hadn't heard of it before this year.

I'm waiting on my results from enterolab - I did the full gluten panel plus casein and genes. I ate "normally" until the moment I deposited my specimens and I went gluten free immediately. I have a strong feeling that this is the best choice for me. I'm already seeing small improvements which might be placebo effect but I'll take anything I can get!

I've read and researched both sides of the traditional diagnosis/enterolab issue and I will feel comfortable with the lab results. (I know that I won't be an official celiac, but that's OK with me if I feel better gluten free!) If they come back positive, I'm confident I can get my family doctor to look at consequences of malabsorption and treat if necessary. I've made an appointment for about three weeks from now; I should have the results by then.

When I'm not researching D, C, bloating, gas, joint pain, depression, etc, I teach high school Latin, play with my DD, dog, cats and DH, do yoga, and lots of crafty things. But I could do a lot more of these things if I were feeling better!

I have a few questions for those who have already recovered or are recovering:

1. As soon as I went gluten free I started peeing like crazy. Anyone else have this happen?

2. Did anyone else have belching as a symptom? I had belching like earthquakes. For several years. Stuff of legends, I'm serious. It's stopped already and I've been gluten-free since Thursday night.

3. Anyone have mental health benefits by going gluten free? I'm chronically depressed, but I do well on an antidepressant. I'd like to be able to go off of it someday. One thing at a time...

Thanks for reading! I'm sure I'll have lots of gluten related questions... for now I'm eating obviously gluten free natural home cooked foods while I learn to read labels.

-Shannon in Austin, Texas

[gfgypsyqueen]

Hi and welcome to the world of Celiacs! It does get easier to figure this disease out over time. I've had it a little over 4 yrs now. Sounds like you already have a good handle of the basics. Ask tons of questions here, someone always has an answer or some good ideas. I found it helpful to write down al of your symptoms and problems before going gluten-free. Then it is a little easeir to "see" how this diet is changing your life.

I don't know about the peeling thing. Be sure to check all your cosmetics, bathroom supplies, soaps, etc for Gluten. Some people react topically to gluten, and I am one of them. My hands swell and then the finger tips crack and bleed. It's a treat

I think the depression gets a little better on gluten-free. But when I get glutened I have a really hard time of it. Be sure you have a handle on the signs of your depression before you stop taking the meds. And I would wait close to a year until your body really heals up. Maybe change the dosage if you need to, talk with your doctor.

Be advised that the dog and cat food contains gluten. So wash your hands.

[JerryK]

Hi everyone!

3. Anyone have mental health benefits by going gluten free? I'm chronically depressed, but I do well on an antidepressant. I'd like to be able to go off of it someday. One thing at a time...

Welcome!. Three days after going gluten free, I noticed a fog of lethargy and depression lifted. Of course I didn't really even know this fog was there, because I was so used to it. It was like the sun suddenly coming out...

I went on and off and on and off. I came to know this feeling of depression and grogginess well. Interestingly it always goes away, about three days after going gluten-free. These days I can tell if I've eaten it, because the fatigue, lethargy and depression hits me as bad as the gastrointestinal symptoms.

This is despite that fact that I do not appear to have Celiac. Blood tests and gene tests did not indicate Celiac was likely. I do not appear to have the common genes and I do not appear to have intestinal damage.

So, yep definite mental health benefits. Don't count on a diagnosis....you will know if your body likes the diet.

[zarfkitty]

Thanks for the responses!

As for cosmetics... I'm a soap & water girl. Hardly ever wear make-up although I'll read the labels well before any special occasions that require it. I also don't use lotions or bath products or anything like that. But if I get a hankering to smell like Bath & Body Works, I'll check first!

My DD feeds the pets, so no worries there. I always wash up after petting or getting licked anyway (eww factor applies even before gluten!). If my genes come back suspect, I'll have DD tested too and then we'll address pet food again.

Oh, and getting off my antidepressant is probably a goal for 2008. 2007 has been exciting enough already. Haha.

I forgot to mention mouth sores in my symptoms list. Between the depression and the mouth sores, I'll probably need to do a B vitamin supplement (of course I'll read the vitamin label first!!).

Thanks for being here, everyone!