Back On The Gluten :(

[AlysounRI]

Hi All:

Well, in preparation for meeting with the gastroenterologist on March 31st, I am back on the gluten .... oh well.

I went gluten-free for three weeks and I never felt so incredibly good but now, as I will be getting tested, I have to go back on it.

I bought a ham and provolone sub with all the fixings.

I looked at it and signed.

And then I bit into it.

Twenty minutes later ... bring on the aches and the fatigue ... the stomach distress has yet to come but I'm sure that it will be here soon. And now that I am back on the gluten my skin is breaking out in pimples, too ... and I'm just so fuzzy.

I AM glad that I went off of it so I can tell the GI guy what happened when I did, however.

Hopefully going back for the month will do it. And the blood tests will tell me something, and then there is the endoscopy/biopsy.

I am looking to put a name on this - am I truly celiac, am I wheat intolerant or is it all gluten to which I am intolerant?

I don't know what the tests will find just yet.

But it will explain what I have been feeling and going through for the past 20 plus years ...

And from the questionnaire that I was sent I wonder if my father's chronic kidney stones and gallbladder problems mean that he has a similar condition that was never diagnosed.

I'll report what the tests show.

I am interested to find out.

~Allison

[ravenwoodglass]

If you should become extremely ill please let the GI know. It sounds pretty clear that you have an issue with gluten and in the long run it doesn't matter whether you are celiac or 'gluten intolerant' (there are some of us who consider them the same thing) the need to be strictly gluten free is the same for both. It sounds like you have had good results from the diet so even if the test results are negative please go back to it when your testing is finished.

PS I really like your avatar. It looks just like my special kitty Benjamin who disappeared many years ago. It appears to be a painting. Did you do it? If you did you have a lot of talent, if you didn't you have great taste in art.

[Faerybec]

It is really tough isn't it. I am in the same situation. When I eat wheat or dairy I get nausea, pain then really sick. I have my gastroscopy and colonoscopy on next Thursday - should be tonnes of fun but at least we will know. I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome 6 years ago, and went on my merry way. I have seen a handful doctors, in that time about my GORD (reflux) as well as the mouth and stomach ulcers I have had for almost a decade. It wasn't until my son was diagnosed and his doctor said he would like to see me 2, that it even entered my head. It is amazing that it just takes one doctor who knows what they are doing.

Best of luck with your test and 'the prep'.

[AlysounRI]

  On 3/4/2010 at 11:17 PM, ravenwoodglass said:

PS I really like your avatar. It looks just like my special kitty Benjamin who disappeared many years ago. It appears to be a painting. Did you do it? If you did you have a lot of talent, if you didn't you have great taste in art.

If I get extremely ill, I will contact the GI.

I am taking no joy in the pot of water boiling the stove waiting to receive the spinach ravioli I am having for dinner ...

As for the painting, I didn't do it (I can barely draw stick figures!!) - I found the jpg on amazon when they still had a card service.

All I remember is that is was by a Russian artist and it is a painting indeed.

You have a good eye, Raven!

I have only one cat now.

My beloved Maine coon, Ginsu, who was born in my neighbor's barn and who I took home when he was five weeks old, passed away last September of some sudden liver catacylsm.

My little guy even had jaundice ... I miss him terribly ...

Your Benjamin was a handsome fellow if he looked like the painting.

I'll most definitely report back on the testing.

You know, I just want a name for this - I've been fighting so many of the things associated with celiac disease for twenty plus years now!

And I want to put it to rest once and for all.

I'll here, don't worry!!

~Allison

[AlysounRI]

  On 3/4/2010 at 11:47 PM, Faerybec said:

Best of luck with your test and 'the prep'.

Thank you Faery - I wish you the best of luck with your testing too.

And I hope that the rest of your time having to ingest the "poison" is somewhat bearable, but it really isn't anywhere close to that, is it?

Hugs go out to you!

~Allison

[ravenwoodglass]

  On 3/4/2010 at 11:47 PM, Faerybec said:

It is really tough isn't it. I am in the same situation. When I eat wheat or dairy I get nausea, pain then really sick. I have my gastroscopy and colonoscopy on next Thursday - should be tonnes of fun but at least we will know. I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome 6 years ago, and went on my merry way. I have seen a handful doctors, in that time about my GORD (reflux) as well as the mouth and stomach ulcers I have had for almost a decade. It wasn't until my son was diagnosed and his doctor said he would like to see me 2, that it even entered my head. It is amazing that it just takes one doctor who knows what they are doing.

Best of luck with your test and 'the prep'.

Welcome to the board. Please keep in mind the possibility of a false negative on both blood and biopsy is relatively high. Do be sure to try the diet after the test is done. With a diagnosed son chances are really good with your symptoms you are one of us.