Update On My Situation

[BrownEyedGirl]

I went to the dermatologist today and she told me I have a textbook case of DH. She didn't want to do a biopsy at this point due to the steroids I've been on for about a week. She said that given the fact that I've reacted to wheat gluten and dairy products in the past (had hives on and off for the past 4 years from eating wheat/milk products), I clearly have the signs of DH and I've made progress after starting on a gluten-free/CF diet. She said it appears that the steroids I was given have started working slowly since making the diet change, but she wanted to give me an extra boost to get rid of the lesions and rash. She gave me a topical cream to use on them about 2x a day for the next couple weeks. If/when it gets worse or re-occurs she said she wants to know about it. So basically, she diagnosed it without the testing. I guess that's ok ... I was really more concerned about finding relief, than just been given a diagnosis. I guess we'll see how well the cream works ... though the lesions are healing ... slowly. I've been feeling so much better since starting on the diet ... and it's only been 3 days. I'm also having very little IBS and anemia symptoms also.

[mushroom]

That is good news, Becky. She sounds pretty hep. Some posters report not needing any medication after getting well into the gluten free diet; with luck, you will be one of them. You may not have been seeking the diagnosis, but it is good to have, to remind yourself if you are ever tempted

[ravenwoodglass]

It sounds like you have a good derm. Welcome to the 'family'. You can now call yourself officially a celiac. Do be strict and do watch out for gluten in your topicals. You should start healing soon.

[BrownEyedGirl]

That is good news, Becky. She sounds pretty hep. Some posters report not needing any medication after getting well into the gluten free diet; with luck, you will be one of them. You may not have been seeking the diagnosis, but it is good to have, to remind yourself if you are ever tempted

I think that I could heal without medication, but it would longer. I definitely feel like the medicine is speeding things along. Yesterday morning, it looked like it was a little better and now after 2 more steroid doses and with the topical, it looks a lot better.