Gluten Challange Info

[LuvMoosic4life]

So I definitly want to stay gluten-free even though I was never diagnosed...but then there is the other side of me constantly debating this....knawing at me.....

I already have been through the pros and cons of doing a gluten challenge. (To me there seems to be more cons!!!)

I am just curious if there is anyone here who was on a gluten-free diet and then went back on gluten to get tested....

if so could you just tell me:

1. how long you were gluten-free

2. how long you stayed on gluten for the challange

3. and what your results were???

Thanks so much!

[ravenwoodglass]

I have done 2, once when I added gluten back in on the doctor assisted elimination diet and then again 2 months later for the GI doctor. The first lasted 3 days before I reacted with violent D and a resergence of my other symptoms. The second was done when the GI doctor demanded one before he would biopsy. They were about 2 months apart and I had been gluten-free total for 3 months. The first challenge was bad and my allergist told me to stop and never touch gluten again, then step in my GI doctor who demanded a week long challenge then changed it to 3 days because I was afraid to do it at all. I should have gone with my gut feelings on that one as when it came time to leave for the appointment for the biopsy I was prostrate on the bathroom floor bleeding from my intestines. IMHO challenges are good for telling if you are reacting, if done correctly but they should be stopped at the point when we react. I got my doctor derived official diagnosis but it was at a high cost. I would never do it again.

[Mary Anne]

I just joined this forum, but like most of you I have soooo many questions. I have been having symptoms, D and stomach pain for a long time but it has worsened in the last 4-5 years. I have had 2 colonoscopies in which the docs said I had IBS. "What is IBS?" I asked my GP. He basically told me it's a diagnosis for when they don't really know what's wrong with you. OMG, now I feel better!

Anyway, I tried every elimination diet I could think of, added fiber to my diet, etc... Nothing worked. Then I tried going gluten-free for 2 weeks and I actually started feeling some relief. Then again, I don't know if it was just the placebo effect because I want so badly to find out what's wrong. Eating gluten-free really wasn't that bad (except for lunch). I would be happy to do it, if it solves the problems.

I called my gastroenterologist, made an appt (in 3 weeks), and started eating gluten again.

Any advice about what to ask the dr. would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[Mom2Twins]

I did a gluten challenge for my biopsy. I was initially diagnosed by my GP, via very positive bloodwork. Here in Canada, there are song long wait times to see specialists, especially GI docs, so I had a four month wait before I could have my biopsy. My doctor suggested I go gluten free as long as I could, since I was feeling much better on the diet, and then back on gluten for 8 weeks prior to the test.

I started eating gluten again pn July 23. I ended up having my biopsy on October 2. It actually took me a while (maybe a week?) to start reacting to the gluten, but everyone is different. Near the end of my challenge, I was getting VERY sick - the day of my biopsy I ended going to the bathroom at least 30 times (sorry if TMI).

On the other hand, now I have no question that I can't eat gluten, it's not lingering as a doubt in the back of my mind. And my cravings for gluten containing foods are mostly gone right now - I see a piece of cake and think about how sick it will make me!

Feel free to ask me any more questions if you like.