If Gluten Intolerant, Immediate Symptoms?

[Spunky007]

After years of ups and downs with malfunctionng digestion, I am so determined to sort it out. I want a different kind of life so badly...a system that works. I can't even imagine!

Anyhow, first I tried a strict elimination, eating only a few foods I know generally work for me, planning to stick to that until I stabalized, then build. Sounds logical, right?

Except I can never really stabalize... I improved, ended a big flareup withing 24hr, but the general ups and downs continued.

When I freed up my diet, things like a bunch of veggies helped. Even lactose [a classic problem] didn't seem to make a difference. yet over the next few days my digestion headed downhill again...

All this time I HAVE stayed gluten free. I wanted to give it a chance because it keeps being suggesting, though I haven't had any reason to associate it with problems.

What I'm wondering is, can you tell right away if you have a reaction to gluten? With everythign so messed up anyhow, if I had a period where I was semi-stable [my usual coping mode] and ate, say, a bowl of cereal or regular bread, would I know right away if gluten for the first time in weeks was one of the key causes to my problems?\

NOTE: I can't get medical help/testing due to severe lack of finances and insurance--please, just share your experience with how I can know whether gluten is a problem or not!

[mushroom]

I have a pretty immediate reaction (within an hour or two) to lactose and corn. But with gluten it can be as much as 24 hours; I will generally know by then.I believe everyone is different in this respect.

[frustrated09]

I am self-diagnosed gluten and dairy intolerant as of july 09. I am still working on getting all the way gluten free. i have just recently changed shampoos, lotions, toothpaste and many other items. A vaseline lotion i just bought sunday morning and tried in the store, with in an hour my energy was draining and within a couple hours total I felt like crap for the rest of the day. If something bothers me I either get really sleepy tired and/or stomach and gut hurt or grumble. it takes from 20min to 24 hrs for it to hit me.

Marsha