Jump to content

  • You are not alone. Join Celiac.com for trusted gluten-free answers and forum support.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

Several Celiac Symptoms...could Be Lifelong - Please Advise!

Kitt1027

Recommended Posts

Kitt1027 Rookie
Kitt1027
Posted

Hello all! I am very new to this site. I've been hearing about Celiac for a couple of years now, but before that didn't know it existed. When I first heard of it and the symptoms, I suspected that I had it, but didn't do anything about it. Honestly, I think that if I do have it, I have had it since I was a very young child, if not from birth. Therefore, I

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


ShayFL Enthusiast
ShayFL
Posted

Any difference after 2 days gluten-free?

Are you 100% gluten-free? i.e. changed out your scratched pans, new cutting boards, cleaned your kitchen thoroughly. Made sure your haircare/cosmetics/creams/toothpaste/floss, etc. are gluten-free??

Not eating out? Not eating anything without checking for gluten-free status? Unless simple foods like meat, veggies, fruits.

Yes, you sound like you could be either Celiac or Gluten Intolerant. Same cure for both which is the gluten-free diet.

If you want an official Dx, then you must keep eating gluten until you have a biopsy. Otherwise the tests can be false negative. 2 days shouldnt matter. But start eating again if you want tests.

Otherwise, stick with what you are doing and see the results.

GFinDC Veteran
GFinDC
Posted

I suggest you get the tests done. Keep eating the wheat etc and get the blood tests. You can always go gluten-free as soon as your appointment is over. Maybe your friend can recommend the doctor who diagnosed them. The reason I think the testing is a good idea is to share the results with your family. They may not want to accept the possibility that they could have celiac also. But if you get tested and are diagnosed that makes it a more likely they will consider it.

Shay is right, the "gold standard" for diagnoses seems to be the biopsy. The biopsy is recommended by some doctors for sure, but I don't think it is needed. If you have the immune system reactions shown by your blood tests then that should be enough Those reactions indicate something is going wrong with gluten and your digestion. That is what you need to know after all, that something bad is happening.

Kitt1027 Rookie
Kitt1027
Posted
  • Author

Shay and GFin - Thank you both for your input!

Shay - I haven't gone as far as working on my pots and pans and checking my shampoos and lotions. I will do that next. I did check online to see if my medications are made with any gluten and thankfully, they are not. Mainly, I'm just checking all the labels on everything and eating alot of veggies and lean meats.

I've felt alot better, but I think I messed up yesterday or something. I had a salad from Wendy's - I had gone online to see if certain things were ok at fast-food restaurants, but of course missed that one. So, I had the Chicken something salad with grilled chicken. I think there was either cross-contamination or they used something when making the chicken, but I immediately got SOOO lethargic. I was sitting at work feeling like I was going to pass out and got a major headache. Before the salad, I felt really good. I was completely awake and alert. After the salad, it was like I had taken a sleeping pill. That's the effect I get after big, heavier, probably gluten-filled meal.

Now, for a long time, I have attributed most of my headaches to seasonal allergies which I've suffered from for years. I wonder now if it's the food!

I will call to try to make an appointment for the blood tests very soon. I will keep y'all posted!

Ginsou Explorer
Ginsou
Posted

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe the grilled chicken is the culprit at Wendy's. Go to the supermarket and look at the ingredients on those convenient grilled chicken strips...Tyson, etc. ....all have wheat in them!! Hormel is the only wheat-free chicken strips I have been able to purchase without wheat in them. Not easy to find. I used to buy Louis Rich chicken strips....and they had been recalled because they had wheat in them that was not listed. This was about 2 1/2 years ago. Hormel took over ownership of Louis Rich if memory serves me right.

I'm able to get a lettuce/tomato salad at Wendy's and a side of mandarin oranges. I put my own Annie's French dressing on, and my own allergen free croutons.

Enterolab results explain why I've had digestive problems for 30 years.....family history of undiagnosed abdominal problems...and now my adult children and nephew and nieces are having abdominal/allergy/food problems.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. RMJ
      - RMJ replied to Ginger38's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      5

      The Struggle Has Overtaken Me

      Ginger38, that sounds very difficult. Each dietary restriction makes it harder to figure out what to eat. Before my celiac diagnosis I already watched out for my cholesterol level and migraine triggers, but those are much easier than diabetes restrictions. One “bad” meal isn’t that much of a problem for cholesterol levels, and my migraines only happened if I ...
    2. Aretaeus Cappadocia
      - Aretaeus Cappadocia replied to Ginger38's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      5

      The Struggle Has Overtaken Me

      Reading the original post on this thread made me think of "How To Eat An Elephant". The key point is that a whole, big problem can seem insurmountable but if you break it into bite-sized pieces it is much easier to accomplish. Here is the google description. It's not bad: If you're facing a daunting goal, you can use these steps to "eat your elephant...
    3. Aretaeus Cappadocia
      - Aretaeus Cappadocia replied to Xravith's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Gluten challenge - Need some guidance

      I don't know the answer to your question any better than a google search, but I am sure someone else will step up and answer. I am popping up to recommend that you keep a careful diary (in case you weren't already). Try to catalog what you are eating and experiencing. Bring a copy to your next visit (and if you have access to the Dr, also send a copy...
    4. Xravith
      - Xravith posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Gluten challenge - Need some guidance

      After few months going gluten free, I decided to reintroduce gluten in my diet so I can do a proper diagnosis for Celiac disease. During the gluten free period I felt incredibly good. I stopped having hypoglycemia symptoms, I gained some muscle (Still, I am considerably underweight) and my anxiety totally disappeared. I felt totally like a new person...
    5. cristiana
      - cristiana replied to cristiana's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      3

      Low iron/high normal haemoglobin

      V. interesting. It might well explain the tiredness, and the increased headaches, then. I'm trying to get my TTG numbers down a bit by avoiding eating out. Hopefully then if I've healed more I guess I will be able to absorb more iron. Will find out at the next blood test in the autumn. Thanks so much for your help.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      134,179
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      10,442
    Nancy sirois
    Newest Member
    Nancy sirois
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.7k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • RMJ
      The Struggle Has Overtaken Me

      By RMJ · Posted

      Ginger38, that sounds very difficult.  Each dietary restriction makes it harder to figure out what to eat. Before my celiac diagnosis I already watched out for my cholesterol level and migraine triggers, but those are much easier than diabetes restrictions. One “bad” meal isn’t that much of a problem for cholesterol levels, and my migraines only happened if I consistently ate the triggers. After many years I’ve figured out how to bake gluten free but I think many recipes have more starch which wouldn’t work for diabetes. If you go with the elephant eating analogy, I think the first portion to work on would be the diabetes, since the immediate consequences of not being careful (passing out from low blood sugar, or diabetic coma from high blood sugar) are so severe. The next portion would be celiac. The serious consequences aren’t as immediate, but if you have celiac disease, I think of eating gluten like a booster shot - revving up the immune system, but to attack yourself leading to long term damage. It sounds like you are experiencing this damage now. I did a google search on “gluten free food for diabetics” and a number of sites with advice came up.  If your insurance will cover it and you can find one, a registered dietician who knows about both diabetes and celiac disease might help you figure out what to eat safely. Hopefully my post will both scare and encourage you, as requested, with a big dose of compassion because this sounds very difficult and you are clearly suffering.
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      The Struggle Has Overtaken Me

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      Reading the original post on this thread made me think of "How To Eat An Elephant". The key point is that a whole, big problem can seem insurmountable but if you break it into bite-sized pieces it is much easier to accomplish. Here is the google description. It's not bad: If you're facing a daunting goal, you can use these steps to "eat your elephant": Identify the Elephant: Clearly define the large project or goal that feels overwhelming. Break it Down: Divide the major task into smaller "bite-sized" pieces. If a piece still feels too big, break it down further. Prioritize: Decide which "bite" to take first based on necessity or impact. Focus on the Now: Instead of worrying about the whole animal, focus only on the single step you are taking right now. Maintain Consistency: Progress comes from taking the "next right step" every day until the task is complete. Celebrate Small Wins If I understood Ginger38's post correctly, you are facing the prospect of a gluten challenge, but you are already eating gluten on an intermittent basis. It also sounds like many of the symptoms you attribute to gluten consumption are in full expression. Step back and take a deep breath. Get a notebook and start a gluten-related diary. Don't try to make it perfect; just record what you can about food intake and what you experience as you go along. Talk to your Dr's office (nurse, Dr, whomever) about the challenge. The most rigorous challenge is for someone who has already gone truly gluten free but now needs a clear diagnosis. Someone who is already eating gluten should not need as much "challenge". Even at that, google describes an example challenge as 1-2 slice of bread or 1/2 cup of pasta a day. If that describes your existing diet you are already there. For the moment, try to focus on getting past the challenge and test. Once you have the results, start planning accordingly.
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      Gluten challenge - Need some guidance

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      I don't know the answer to your question any better than a google search, but I am sure someone else will step up and answer. I am popping up to recommend that you keep a careful diary (in case you weren't already). Try to catalog what you are eating and experiencing. Bring a copy to your next visit (and if you have access to the Dr, also send a copy a couple days in advance). Don't assume that they will read it. They might, but they also might be under tremendous time pressure and not get to it. Two other suggestions: if your healthcare provider has a web portal, sign on and search for "gluten challenge". They may have a standard page and Dr assumed you would find it on your own. If that doesn't work, call the Dr's office and ask the office for their official advice. You probably wouldn't need to speak to the Dr directly. There should be some nurse or staff member who could answer that
    • Xravith
      Gluten challenge - Need some guidance

      By Xravith · Posted

      After few months going gluten free, I decided to reintroduce gluten in my diet so I can do a proper diagnosis for Celiac disease. During the gluten free period I felt incredibly good. I stopped having hypoglycemia symptoms, I gained some muscle (Still, I am considerably underweight) and my anxiety totally disappeared. I felt totally like a new person. Now, I almost reached the second week of gluten challenge and all my symptoms are progressively coming back. The first days I was ok, just a bit of acid reflux I could control with medicines. However, after the first week I started to feel real stomach pain and tiredness, my face is growing acne and sometimes (specially when I walk) i feel painful migraines.  I am afraid If I am eating too much gluten or not enough, the "4 slices of bread" indication confuses me. I am actually eating 20 g of bread, 3 biscuits and 40 g of croissant each day. My doctor was not very specific when he gave me the medical order for the gluten challenge, so I invented my own daily gluten menu. Do you have any suggestions? 4 weeks will be enough to do the blood test with my current gluten intake?  Thank you
    • cristiana
      Low iron/high normal haemoglobin

      By cristiana · Posted

      V. interesting. It might well explain the tiredness, and the increased headaches, then.   I'm trying to get my TTG numbers down a bit by avoiding eating out.  Hopefully then if I've healed more I guess I will be able to absorb more iron.  Will find out at the next blood test in the autumn. Thanks so much for your help.  
×
×
  • Create New...