Long Journey Finally Coming To An End

[tikwid]

Just had to share my excitement - I can soon stop eating gluten for good!

Ok, let me back up. I was gluten free for four months on a recommendation from my school doctor and felt FANTASTIC for the first time since I was first diagnosed with mono 2 years ago. According to the doc, my gluten sensitivity was caused by my 8 month bout with mono. Exhaustion, depression, gastro issues, extreme joint pain, the list goes on and on with what I was dealing with. I took 12 tests for everything from rheumatoid arthritis to lupus. Being 21 and having these issues has really prevented me from giving my all in my undergrad program, so I've been so anxious to figure out what this is.

The gluten free diet did the trick. However, once I told my at home doctor that I'd never been tested, she put me back on a gluten-rich diet for 4-12 weeks so that I could have accurate Celiac testing results. Somehow, I've made it through the 4 weeks. Been sick for the last two and have only eaten gluten at night (I get super brain fog, so being able to sleep after is crucial), but the month is up.

What do you guys think - should I do the test now or wait it out a bit longer? The idea of going back to a gluten free lifestyle soon sounds so amazing to me, but I also want accurate results. I REALLY wish my school doctor had given me these tests prior to my going on a gluten free diet.

[jny1179]

The truth is, none of the tests are 100% accurate. So even after 4-12 weeks of a gluten challenge, you may not have a 100% positive test result. I say get the tests done anyway but no matter what the results are, go back to the gluten-free lifestyle! I have been tested six ways to sunday, all negative. I do have Crohn's disease however. The gluten-free diet is the ONLY thing that works for me. Whether you should test now at 4 weeks or wait the full 12, I don't know. But don't torture yourself. You know how your body feels, do what you think is right!

[ravenwoodglass]

It sounds like your body has given you the answer. Even on a full gluten diet some of us will show negative on tests. It is usually advised to go back on gluten for about 2 to 3 months but it sounds like you ill enough not to want to do the challenge that long. I hope the tests give you a positive but if they don't your body is clearly telling you it wants to be gluten free.