On Elimination Diet For 5 Weeks With Zero Results

[marielynor]

Hi all,

Upon the suggestion of some of you here, I tried an elimination diet because going gluten-free just wasn't helping. I've cut out all common allergens. All I've eaten in the past five weeks are: bananas, grapes, pineapple, carrots, asparagus, broccoli, salmon, tilapia, shrimp, scallops, lamb, walnuts, pecans, and extra virgin olive oil, honey, and garlic for seasoning.

I don't feel the least bit better. I don't know what to do with myself anymore. This is so hard.

The one and only time I've felt normal in the past six years is when I tried the Atkins Diet my sophomore year in college. I basically only ate meat and cheese (and a few veggies here and there) and my stomach problems just stopped. Could this be a problem with carbohydrates and not with gluten? Does this ever happen?

I assumed it was gluten-related for a long time because I had some blood work done a while back that hinted at celiac, I get mouth sores, and I have other problems a doctor told me once could be signs of an autoimmune/connective tissue disorder (positive ANA, raynauds, joint problems), which I've heard is sometimes linked to celiac.

Oh, one more thing--probably not indicative of anything, but something I found strange: For four months last year, I was gluten free. Because I wasn't seeing results, I decided to have some gluten, to see if I reacted strongly. Well, I had a LOT of gluten (what can I say...I really wanted pizza and cookies), and not only did I not feel bad, I felt better than I had in months. And, as far as I know, I never had a reaction to that gluten. I realize we all react differently to things, but it still seems so strange.

What I'm getting at is, I'm at the end of my rope. I feel like I've got nothing else to try and I'm a student with crappy medical insurance. What do I do? Can anybody help me? I'm so frustrated.

Thanks for reading. I appreciate it.

[MySuicidalTurtle]

If your insurance covers it you should try allergy testing.

I know it took me more than 5 months to be glutenfree because of hidden glutens. Did you make sure that you used glutenfree shampoo, make-up, and such? I have reactions when I use them.

I hope you find some answers. Good luck.

[KaitiUSA]

Yes are you sure you were gluten-free? Gluten can be hidden in makeup, shampoos, lotions, soaps, and even foods you would never think of.

You could have a celiac test done but you have to be on gluten of course for it to come back positive. York Labs test for a whole bunch of food intolerances so you might want to consider that. Hope you feel better

[tarnalberry]

Unfortunately, you've left three of the major allergens in your diet - nuts, fish, and shellfish. You might look at eliminating those. Additionally, people can be allergic to garlic as well, and sensitive to olive oil or acid foods like pineapple. There are other approaches you might consider taking in trying to identify food issues.

But do consider other options that are non-food specific related as well, as it's quite possible that this isn't merely a food issue. (BTW, what are your symptoms? You talk about a number of symptoms that are typical of other issues (of course, there's always overlap) and note that eating gluten doesn't seem to bother you. So I'm lead to believe from just that information that it may not be a food - or at least a gluten - problem.)

[marielynor]

Thanks for the comments. In regards to what my main symptoms are, cramps, diarrhea, bloating, gas. And, as I mentioned before, the only time in the past six or so years I haven't experienced these any of things, was when I ate a very low carb, high protein diet.

It feels very much food-related. But I just can't figure out the food! My symptoms are completely sporadic.

Also, I gues I can't say for sure, but I'm close to positie I'm not allergic to nuts or fish. I rarely ate nuts and I never ate seafood when all this started. I only started eating these things in an attempt to feel better.

Any further comments would be really appreciated. You guys are great.