I Tried The Diet And It Seems To Be Working :)

[Bluevalentine]

I know it was a risky thing to do to go off gluten right before my endo next week, but I truly could not wait. I was so sick. I have a lot of the celiac symptoms and some were becoming unbearable and it was something my Dr. suspected anyway. I decided for myself that I would try to go off gluten. I was losing too much time at work (close to being on probation) and at home I barely had the energy to play with kids let alone do much else. I felt like the illness had taken over my life and was dictating what I could and could not do.

I went off for 3 days the first time and after one day I already started feeling better. I felt less foggy and less tired. I know 3 days isn't very long, but I did feel better and so to prove it wasn't a fluke I went back on gluten for a week. From the moment I ate crackers I felt sick, gassy, and bloated amongst other things and I was back in the bathroom a lot. I almost had to go home one day from my job because I just could hardly stop visiting the restroom (sorry). So I said forget it, if my biopsy is negative then oh well because I just can't keep getting sick all the time.

I went off gluten for good last week. I decided even if the Dr. couldn't prove it with a biopsy (my blood tests were negative), I know I am sensitive to gluten.

At first I was having a few withdrawal symptoms (headaches) and I started dreaming about muffins, but that passed after the 3rd day. I am quite surprised honestly that I have lost 3 lbs already. I seem to be tolerating some foods I couldn't before like veggies and whatnot. My stomach looks so much smaller too. It was so embarrassing sometimes to be asked if I was pregnant in the past, but now my tummy is flat. I'm so happy I could cry seriously Maybe I'm just jumping the gun, but I feel so great.

My question, though, is 2 weeks gluten free enough to throw off my test results. Could villi heal that fast? Thanks for the responses and time to read my story.

[MELINE]

  Bluevalentine said:

My question, though, is 2 weeks gluten free enough to throw off my test results. Could villi heal that fast? Thanks for the responses and time to read my story.

Good for you!!! It is so nice to read a happy story!!

Well your villi can't heal in 2 weeks....At least as far as I know....

Any way biopsy is not going to give you the answer. you know what is going wrong with your body when you eat gluten.

Kisses

Meline

Maybe you would like to take a look at this article

How long do I need to be eating gluten before I am tested for celiac disease?

This is not an easy question to answer. Most people believe, or are told that they need to eat gluten for a few days (or up to a week) before a blood test or a biopsy, and this is incorrect. The true answer depends on how long the individual has been avoiding gluten. How much gluten to eat depends on the age of the individual who is being tested. The information provided here is a general rule, there are many specifics that come into play, so its best to talk with a knowledgable physician about your particular situation.

First: If a patient has avoided gluten for six to 12 months (or more) it is advisable to consider an HLA gene test before a gluten challenge. The HLA gene test will help determine if the patient is even in the risk group for celiac disease. (Only 1/3 of the US population have the genes for celiac disease.) After 6-12 months, it can be difficult to obtain a diagnosis of celiac disease after a gluten challenge, which is why this step is advisable.

Patients who have been on a gluten free diet for less than six months can consider a gluten challenge under a physician's supervision. A challenge would typically require an adult or a child to eat some gluten for four to eight weeks. For some, a twelve week challenge could be required but no challenge should last more than 12 weeks in children. The patient would eat a specified amount of gluten every day.

Many patients are concerned about participating in a challenge. Medical research shows that a limited challenge of this sort provides a greater medical benefit when it leads to a correct diagnosis of celiac disease. The challenge would need to be maintained if a positive antibody test result is received, because the biopsy procedure also depends on the presence of an autoimmune response.

For children, eating a saltine cracker each day would be enough gluten to conduct a challenge and for adults, a slice of bread a day would be adequate. The challenge would need to occur for six to eight weeks before the test in order for it to be accurate. Accordingly, we will not be able to register individuals for the screening who cannot meet this criteria, should they wish to be tested after following the diet.