New And Need To Learn More

[marycubs]

Hi -

I am rather new to this board - have not yet been 'officially' diagnosed with celiac disease; had my endoscopy/biopsy last week and am waiting for the results. However, I believe that celiac disease is the correct diagnosis, based on my blood tests, my symptoms, etc. I am still very much in the learning phase !!

My question: from reading these posts, it seems that once you go gluten-free, if you accidently ingest any amount of gluten your body reacts very strongly. Does any one know why that is ? Do our bodies become hypersensitive to the gluten ?? Are there any articles or books that you recommend I read to get me up to speed on this disease ?

Also, did any of you not experience celiac disease until mid life ? While I have dealt with anemia, headaches, fatigue for several years, I did not have any digestive problems until a few years ago (I'm 42 now). Is that unusual ? It seems that many of you have been dealing with full blown celiac disease for years.

thank you ! This site has been very helpful !

Mary

[debberdee]

I am new to all of this so please excuse me for not answering all of your questions. I simply don't have the answers. What I do know is that you need to read everything you can get your hands on. As far as onset of symptoms, I am 45 and was recently diagnosed. Symptoms do vary! I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in the early 80's. I have had osteoarthritis since childhood. My gastro problems did not get bad until my late 30's. I also started having symptoms that my doctors thought were MS! Went through a myriad of tests for that until my doc decided to test for celiac disease. NOW, I believe ALL my symptoms were from celiac disease! and that I have had it since childhood! The fatigue itself is a major symtom as well as the anemia. For info go to Celiac.org and also do searches on the web for info on celiac disease. lots of info on the net. I have also read several books. Go to your library and I am certain you should be able to check out books that will be helpful. Good luck to you and to all of us still searching for answers!

[KaitiUSA]

I did not react strongly at first but now however I do. The longer you are off of gluten the more sensitive to it you become.

Your body is used to not having gluten then you have gluten and are giving it something it does not tolerate and your body will let you know about it.

Some people however just never get symptoms so it depends on the person.

Not all people have digestive symptoms and you do not have to have digestive symptoms to have celiac...you don't have to have any symptoms at all.

Anemia, fatigue, and what you named are all symptoms of celiac. There are over 200 symptoms that can be involved with celiac and not everyone had the same ones.

[lovegrov]

Sensitivity after going gluten-free depends on the person. I never have gotten more sensitive.

richard

[tarnalberry]

I haven't gotten signficantly more sensitive, but some. (Then again, if you walk around with your nose stuffy all day, do you notice it getting a little more stuff? Not nearly so much as if you nose clears, and then gets a little stuff.)

I was dx'ed at 24, and may have had it for two years or so prior to that, but I don't believe I had it in childhood, but had it triggered due to a long bout of repeated respiratory infections and the subsequent treatment.

[marycubs]

Thanks for the replies

I just heard my results from the endoscopy - and I am now confirmed with celiac disease.

I'll have to read and learn to be gluten-free and I hope for better health in the near future !

Mary