Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Do Most People Challenge The gluten-free Diet?

zus888

Recommended Posts

zus888 Contributor
zus888
Posted

I'm wondering if I should do this, and if I do, how do I go about doing it? I mean, should I just take a little bite of wheat bread and continue on with my gluten-free diet to challenge it? It would give me some idea as to my sensitivity if I only have a little bit. Or should I go whole hog and eat gads of gluten-filled foods? I don't want to choose foods high in fat or sugar because I don't want to confuse what might be causing any GI issues, should I have any. I want to be sure I know that it's gluten I'm reacting to, and not an overdose of fats and sugars. My gluten-free diet will likely consist of more natural foods, as opposed to processed ones.

And, how long should I wait to do the challenge? 3 months? 6 months?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

If you have been gluten free long enough to heal a bit and see some resolution in your symptoms the best way to challenge is with a single ingredient item. My doctor had me challenge by eating the food 3 times a day for a week or until symptoms reappear whichever comes sooner. I used cream of wheat, plain.

T.H. Community Regular
T.H.
Posted

We challenged my son. Did it after 1 year gluten free, for a little under 2 weeks only, because he started having symptoms pretty quickly.

Yeah, I'd say go with a single food if you do challenge - a single food that has nothing you haven't been eating before the challenge.

But my son was the only one we had diagnosed by symptoms, too. The rest of us had tests that were positive, and we didn't challenge.

eatmeat4good Enthusiast
eatmeat4good
Posted

I didn't have to challenge gluten because gluten "challenged" me. I knew I got sick from cross contamination and every time I accidentally ate something with gluten (think of newbie mistakes) I got very ill.

If you are like me one bite of anything with wheat will do it.

Let us know how it goes.

Emilushka Contributor
Emilushka
Posted

I have no desire to challenge with gluten because I had a positive antibody test and a great response to the gluten-free diet. Plus, I had an unofficial challenge by accidentally eating wheat pasta at a restaurant, so I can verify that symptoms come back if I eat gluten. I don't think everyone challenges with gluten.

sa1937 Community Regular
sa1937
Posted

I went gluten-free the day of my biopsy. You couldn't pay me enough to challenge it!

love2travel Mentor
love2travel
Posted

I confess to being thrilled with the challenge! ;) I have had no symptoms that I have noticed (which may change, of course, as I am off gluten longer) so I was pleased to eat tons of gluten for three months although I knew at the same time that internal damage was being done, whether I could feel it or not. I had lots of gluten and did not feel any worse whatsoever so I was saddened to find post biopsy that celiac disease was indeed confirmed. (I had been gluten-free for five months prior to this and was incredibly stringent, avoiding going out to eat for the most part, calling and emailing companies, changing toothpaste and lipstick, and so on. Our house was gluten-free to avoid CC as well.) What a shock it was feeling so good on gluten, pigging out on lovely breads and such, to go off gluten and feeling no different. Yet. But I still know that I am preventing future problems. It still could be saving my life! :D

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


zus888 Contributor
zus888
Posted
  • Author

I confess to being thrilled with the challenge! ;) I have had no symptoms that I have noticed (which may change, of course, as I am off gluten longer) so I was pleased to eat tons of gluten for three months although I knew at the same time that internal damage was being done, whether I could feel it or not. I had lots of gluten and did not feel any worse whatsoever so I was saddened to find post biopsy that celiac disease was indeed confirmed. (I had been gluten-free for five months prior to this and was incredibly stringent, avoiding going out to eat for the most part, calling and emailing companies, changing toothpaste and lipstick, and so on. Our house was gluten-free to avoid CC as well.) What a shock it was feeling so good on gluten, pigging out on lovely breads and such, to go off gluten and feeling no different. Yet. But I still know that I am preventing future problems. It still could be saving my life! :D

I actually fear not being able to tell the difference. I want to notice a huge difference in energy at the very least. On the other hand, it is nice to not have such harsh reactions if cross-contaminated or otherwise glutened. I am not so sure I would be able to be so stringent without some physical reason for doing so. If I don't notice a difference, I can't imagine not just having one little sweet roll. Unfortunately, it's a VERY slippery slope. If I give in to one little sweet roll, it'll turn into a gluten-filled diet in no time.

love2travel Mentor
love2travel
Posted

I actually fear not being able to tell the difference. I want to notice a huge difference in energy at the very least. On the other hand, it is nice to not have such harsh reactions if cross-contaminated or otherwise glutened. I am not so sure I would be able to be so stringent without some physical reason for doing so. If I don't notice a difference, I can't imagine not just having one little sweet roll. Unfortunately, it's a VERY slippery slope. If I give in to one little sweet roll, it'll turn into a gluten-filled diet in no time.

I can totally relate. I fear it, too, especially when eating out. It is one reason I avoid eating out much (thankfully I LOVE cooking!) because I just do not know. Because I generally feel so well it almost seems silly to avoid gluten in one tiny corner of my brain but of course I imagine my scope pictures the surgeon showed to me with all the flat villi. It is difficult psychologically for me. :(

shopgirl Contributor
shopgirl
Posted

No. Symptoms or no. I have a disease that requires me to not eat gluten for the rest of my life. In my eyes, it's really just that simple. Cheating isn't an option.

Darn210 Enthusiast
Darn210
Posted

The doctor that we saw for a second opinion when my daughter was first diagnosed wanted us to challenge her after she had been gluten free for 6 months. He wanted us to challenge her for two months (with a repeat blood test) or until symptoms came back, which ever was shortest. I was planning on challenging because I was in major denial about the whole diagnosis. I was going to wait longer than the 6 months though.

Like some of the others above, we had an accidental challenge. At school she use to be able to get their (corn) tortilla chips but the vendor changed and they were no longer just corn. Both wheat and oat flour were in the ingredient list which I found out by visiting the school after she got off the bus looking like something the cat dragged in. Challenge over. It took one item at one meal.

love2travel Mentor
love2travel
Posted

No. Symptoms or no. I have a disease that requires me to not eat gluten for the rest of my life. In my eyes, it's really just that simple. Cheating isn't an option.

Although as I mentioned above I have no symptoms I will never, ever cheat. Ever. Even though I like what I see out and about. I am absolutely adamant on that point. :D

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. jenniber
      - jenniber replied to jenniber's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      9

      Disaccharide deficient, confusing biopsy results, no blood test

      thank you both for the insights. i agree, im going to back off on dairy and try sucraid. thanks for the tip about protein powder, i will look for whey protein powder/drinks! i don’t understand why my doctor refused to order it either. so i’ve decided i’m not going to her again, and i’m going to get a second opinion with a GI recommended to me b...
    2. trents
      - trents replied to SamAlvi's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      3

      High TTG-IgG and Normal TTG-IgA

      Let me suggest an adjustment to your terminology. "Celiac disease" and "gluten intolerance" are the same. The other gluten disorder you refer to is NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) which is often referred to as being "gluten sensitive". Having said that, the reality is there is still much inconsistency in how people use these terms. Since celiac disease...
    3. xxnonamexx
      - xxnonamexx replied to xxnonamexx's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      32

      My journey is it gluten or fiber?

      I made it through the holiday w/o being glutened. I had my brother cook with gluten-free breadcrumbs and I didn't get sick. I baked cookies with gluten-free flour and had dry ingredients for cookies in ziplock bag. I also made gluten cookies as well and guess I did good washing to avoid CC. My wife also went to a french bakery and bought a gluten-free flourless...
    4. xxnonamexx
      - xxnonamexx replied to xxnonamexx's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      32

      My journey is it gluten or fiber?

      What do you mean it would not allow any celiac to eat gluten again. I think if this helps cross contamination when eating out at a non dedicated gluten-free restaurant this would be nice not to encounter the pains. But is their a daily enzyme to take to help strengthen the digestive system?
    5. SamAlvi
      - SamAlvi replied to SamAlvi's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      3

      High TTG-IgG and Normal TTG-IgA

      Hi, thank you for the reply. Unfortunately, no other antibody tests were ordered. I am a 32-year-old male. About two months ago, I ate pancakes and then developed severe diarrhea that lasted the entire day. At night, I became unconscious due to fluid loss and was admitted to the ER, where I received IV fluids. Two days later, I ate bread again and once...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,845
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Paulaannefthimiou
    Newest Member
    Paulaannefthimiou
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • jenniber
      Disaccharide deficient, confusing biopsy results, no blood test

      By jenniber · Posted

      thank you both for the insights. i agree, im going to back off on dairy and try sucraid. thanks for the tip about protein powder, i will look for whey protein powder/drinks!   i don’t understand why my doctor refused to order it either. so i’ve decided i’m not going to her again, and i’m going to get a second opinion with a GI recommended to me by someone with celiac. unfortunately my first appointment isn’t until February 17th. do you think i should go gluten free now or wait until after i meet with the new doctor? i’m torn about what i should do, i dont know if she is going to want to repeat the endoscopy, and i know ill have to be eating gluten to have a positive biopsy. i could always do the gluten challenge on the other hand if she does want to repeat the biopsy.    thanks again, i appreciate the support here. i’ve learned a lot from these boards. i dont know anyone in real life with celiac.
    • trents
      High TTG-IgG and Normal TTG-IgA

      By trents · Posted

      Let me suggest an adjustment to your terminology. "Celiac disease" and "gluten intolerance" are the same. The other gluten disorder you refer to is NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) which is often referred to as being "gluten sensitive". Having said that, the reality is there is still much inconsistency in how people use these terms. Since celiac disease does damage to the small bowel lining it often results in nutritional deficiencies such as anemia. NCGS does not damage the small bowel lining so your history of anemia may suggest you have celiac disease as opposed to NCGS. But either way, a gluten-free diet is in order. NCGS can cause bodily damage in other ways, particularly to neurological systems.
    • xxnonamexx
      My journey is it gluten or fiber?

      By xxnonamexx · Posted

      I made it through the holiday w/o being glutened. I had my brother cook with gluten-free breadcrumbs and I didn't get sick. I baked cookies with gluten-free flour and had dry ingredients for cookies in ziplock bag. I also made gluten cookies as well and guess I did good washing to avoid CC. My wife also went to a french bakery and bought a gluten-free flourless chocolate cake dedicated gluten-free it was out of this world. 
    • xxnonamexx
      My journey is it gluten or fiber?

      By xxnonamexx · Posted

      What do you mean it would not allow any celiac to eat gluten again. I think if this helps cross contamination when eating out at a non dedicated gluten-free restaurant this would be nice not to encounter the pains. But is their a daily enzyme to take to help strengthen the digestive system? 
    • SamAlvi
      High TTG-IgG and Normal TTG-IgA

      By SamAlvi · Posted

      Hi, thank you for the reply. Unfortunately, no other antibody tests were ordered. I am a 32-year-old male. About two months ago, I ate pancakes and then developed severe diarrhea that lasted the entire day. At night, I became unconscious due to fluid loss and was admitted to the ER, where I received IV fluids. Two days later, I ate bread again and once more developed severe diarrhea. I ended up in the ER again and received IV fluids. In my country, Pakistan, doctors are unfortunately not very thorough, so they treated me for a stomach infection. I visited three or four doctors, including a gastroenterologist, but it seemed like they just wanted to keep me on medications and IV fluids. Eventually, I did some digging myself and started connecting the dots. For years, I’ve had excessive gas buildup and frequent loose stools, but I never paid much attention to it. I also cannot easily digest dairy products. Two years ago, I had a CBC test that showed iron deficiency. My doctor told me to eat more meat and said it was nothing serious. However, for the past five years, I’ve also had severe motion sickness, which I never experienced before. Whenever I get on a bus or in a car, I sometimes lose consciousness for 10–20 seconds and wake up sweaty, and occasionally I feel the need to vomit. After more research on the internet, I came across gluten and celiac disease, so I got two related tests (TTG-IgA & TTG IgG) done along with a stool test and another CBC. The stool test showed weakly positive blood. Ever since eating those pancakes and bread, I’ve had a burning sensation in my gut. My doctor reviewed my tests, he told me to completely stop eating gluten and started me on IV fluids for 20 days, saying that I had severe inflammation in my gut. It has now been two months since I quit gluten, and I’m still not sure whether this is celiac disease or gluten intolerance. I don’t really trust doctors in Pakistan, so I thought I might get some help here.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.