Winging It

[iffy]

I've been gluten-free about seven months after self-diagnosis, am

doing well after MUCH good advice from this and other celiac websites.

I got Dr. Green's new book in January, intending to follow all his

advice.

But, in tweaking my regimen, I tried a proteolytic enzyme that didn't

seem to help (D and reflux being my prime symptoms). I switched from

that to digestive enzymes supplying amylase, protease, lipase, ox bile,

bromelain, pepsin ... also a probiotic. With that and healthy diet,

I'm fine.

Dr. Green objects to OTC enzymes, not being FDA approved. He also

doesn't like self-diagnosis and subsequent gluten-free diet. But I'm certainly

not going to subject myself to agonizing reflux and chronic D and being

housebound for months on end just to be tested. At least, it seems that

better tests are on the horizon, using saliva or buccal mucosa.

But what about these supplements? Are celiac-savvy docs recommending

them?

iffy

[ravenwoodglass]

I had my pancreas basically shut down due to a bad reaction to a drug I was given before a routine procedure a few years ago. I was very ill afterwards and basically could identify everything I ate when it shot out the other end. Sorry for the TMI. Anyway I immediately went to a naturopathic doctor who while he was a bit clueless about how sensitive celiacs like myself are (the old a little bit won't hurt you) he did advise enzymes that had the same sort of formulation as the ones you are taking. I had to take them for a couple of months but they were very helpful. If they are helping you I would keep them up for the short term while you heal. You could drop them after a month or two of healing. I wouldn't advise them to be a permanent part of your life without close medical supervision but they can IMHO help you throught he healing stage.

[Skylark]

Remember that while Dr. Green wrote a great book, he was trying to write something very general. His recommendations may not work for every single person. Getting a formal diagnosis is nice, but 20% or more celiacs don't have positive celiac tests and they still fell a heck of a lot better off gluten. I was never formally diagnosed because I didn't want to get sick to get a piece of paper that told me what I already know. (Plus, who needs more diagnoses for insurance???)

I don't know that you want to be using enzymes indefinitely. For the most part, MDs have to be very conservative about supplements for exactly the reason Dr. Green is. They are not FDA approved, not well-studied, and we don't know anything about the long-term consequences of using them (if any).

Raven's suggestion that you drop the enzymes down as you heal is very sensible. Remember that between the healing and the probiotic, your gut will start working a LOT better.

[iffy]

Thanks! I don't want to be a supplement junkie. I'll try easing off slowly.

It's hard to be vigilant on all fronts. I've had somewhat high cholesterol for

years, have refused statins. After my last regular checkup I got much tougher

about limiting dairy and more disciplined about lots of veggies. I see the hematology doc soon about the labs for the non-hodgkins lymphoma. He had said

my iron was a little low, so I started multivit with iron, nervously, because many years ago iron used to rip up my stomach and cause D. But I've been OK

with it, even with lots of spinach and lots of blueberries.

Thanks again, and to Raven too. I don't post often, but I'm always lurking

here.

iffy

Remember that while Dr. Green wrote a great book, he was trying to write something very general. His recommendations may not work for every single person. Getting a formal diagnosis is nice, but 20% or more celiacs don't have positive celiac tests and they still fell a heck of a lot better off gluten. I was never formally diagnosed because I didn't want to get sick to get a piece of paper that told me what I already know. (Plus, who needs more diagnoses for insurance???)

I don't know that you want to be using enzymes indefinitely. For the most part, MDs have to be very conservative about supplements for exactly the reason Dr. Green is. They are not FDA approved, not well-studied, and we don't know anything about the long-term consequences of using them (if any).

Raven's suggestion that you drop the enzymes down as you heal is very sensible. Remember that between the healing and the probiotic, your gut will start working a LOT better.