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

Doing Gluten Challenge

costellosfriend

  

11 members have voted

You do not have permission to vote in this poll, or see the poll results. Please sign in or register to vote in this poll.

Recommended Posts

costellosfriend Rookie
costellosfriend
Posted

Hi:

This question is for those who've done a gluten challenge after being gluten free for a while. How long before symptoms return?

I've been on a low carb diet for over 3 years now, not perfectly gluten free, but nearly so. My symptoms that cleared up with low carb were mild tummy troubles (manageable without doctors or OTC meds) and moderate insomnia. I remember both symptoms extending back to childhood. My working hypothesis is that it was eliminating gluten from my diet which caused these symptoms to disappear.

I've decided I want to be tested for celiac. I've completed three days eating a lot of gluten. (People keep saying eat 3 to 4 pieces of bread. Bleh! I'm eating all the foods I've been missing for the last few years - pizza, lasagna, macaroni, etc.) Aside from a mild change in my BM and little bit of gas - which could be caused by any radical change in diet - I'm seeing no return of these symptoms. I'm sleeping like a log.

I keep seeing people here talk about starting the gluten challenge and immediately being in so much discomfort they can't continue. Not me. How long before I conclude gluten wasn't the culprit after all? (I'm more worried about regaining the weight I lost on low carb than anything else.)

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


love2travel Mentor
love2travel
Posted

When I went on my gluten challenge I had tons of gluten - some days probably the equivalent to an entire loaf of bread! It was great fun I have to admit. No symptoms occurred in the three months I ate gluten so I was shocked when I found out I do indeed have celiac disease!

So, you can definitely be asymptomatic as far as tummy troubles go and still have celiac. I actually felt better ON gluten than OFF gluten. :o

costellosfriend Rookie
costellosfriend
Posted
  • Author

Thanks. I have to admit I'm enjoying it so far too. :)

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

It took me 3 to 4 days for the agony to start. I did challenges twice and both times it was a delayed reaction. Everyone is different though so some may react quickly and some may seem not to react at all. Don't just look for GI symptoms as some of us will get fatigue, headaches, problems with mood, bone and joint pain etc.

costellosfriend Rookie
costellosfriend
Posted
  • Author

My God! I am sooooo tired!

I'm on day 7 of my gluten-full diet. Aside from some extra gas and gaining a pound or so, I'm not having any problems. But I'm so tired. I'm sleeping ok, but I get up feeling like I could use an extra few hours. And today I'm totally wiped out. I want to curl up in a corner somewhere and take a nap!

I'm wondering if this is my first real change from the diet. It reminds me of how I was some ten or more years ago. Always exhausted. My mother finally made me go to a doctor. I never got a satisfactory answer. Then somehow the fatigue went away. Maybe when I started low-carbing? I don't remember. I do remember I never got that burst of energy that some people get on low-carb. Maybe not being constantly exhausted is my burst of energy. <_<

  • 1 year later...
Maryw88 Apprentice
Maryw88
Posted

I get numbness all over, loss of motor control, confusion, and tired immediately. Digestive symptoms take a few days. Headaches take a few days too. I am eating gluten for two months and it is miserable. It's not even fun because I have an immediate reaction. Bleh.

ayndim Newbie
ayndim
Posted

Digestive issues seem to happen within the hour for me. I accidently got gluten not too long ago and it was so bad I ended up having to stay home from work. I was not able to do the gluten challenge at all. Lucky for me, I have a great GI.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,855
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Tara M
    Newest Member
    Tara M
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • cristiana
      Ibuprofen

      By cristiana · Posted

      @Colleen H   I am just curious,  when you were tested for coeliac disease, did the doctors find out if you had any deficiencies? Sometimes muscle pain can be caused by certain deficiencies, for example, magnesium, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium.   Might be worth looking into having some more tests.  Pins and needles can be neuropathy, again caused by deficiencies, such as iron and B12,  which can be reversed if these deficiencies are addressed. In the UK where I live we are usually only tested for iron, B12 and vitamin D deficiencies at diagnosis.   I was very iron anemic and supplementation made a big difference.  B12 was low normal, but in other countries the UK's low normal would be considered a deficiency.  My vitamin D was low normal, and I've been supplementing ever since (when I remember to take it!) My pins and needles definitely started to improve when my known deficiencies were addressed.  My nutritionist also gave me a broad spectrum supplement which really helped, because I suspect I wasn't just deficient in what I mention above but in many other vitamins and minerals.  But a word of warning, don't take iron unless blood tests reveal you actually need it, and if you are taking it your levels must be regularly monitored because too much can make you ill.  (And if you are currently taking iron, that might actually be making your stomach sore - it did mine, so my GP changed my iron supplementation to a gentler form, ferrous gluconate). Lastly, have you been trying to take anything to lessen the pain in your gut?  I get a sore stomach periodically, usually when I've had too much rich food, or when I have had to take an aspirin or certain antibiotics, or after glutening.  When this happens, I take for just a few days a small daily dose of OTC omeprazole.  I also follow a reflux or gastritis diet. There are lots online but the common denominators to these diets is you need to cut out caffeine, alcohol, rich, spicy, acidic food etc and eat small regularly spaced meals.   When I get a sore stomach, I also find it helpful to drink lots of water.  I also find hot water with a few slices of ginger very soothing to sip, or camomile tea.  A wedge pillow at night is good for reflux. Also,  best not to eat a meal 2-3 hours before going to bed. If the stomach pain is getting worse, though, it would be wise to see the doctor again. I hope some of this helps. Cristiana    
    • Me,Sue
      Knowing what to do when feeling unwell.

      By Me,Sue · Posted

      I was diagnosed with coeliac disease a couple of years ago [ish]. I love my food and a variety of food, so it's been hard, as it is with everyone. I try and ensure everything I eat doesn't contain gluten, but occasionally I think something must have got through that has gluten in. Mainly I know because I have to dash to the loo, but recently I have noticed that I feel nauseous after possibly being glutened. I think the thing that I have got better at is knowing what to do when I feel wiped out after a gluten 'episode'. I drink loads of water, and have just started drinking peppermint tea. I also have rehydration powders to drink. I don't feel like eating much, but eventually feel like I need to eat. Gluten free flapjacks, or gluten free cereal, or a small gluten free kids meal are my go to. I am retired, so luckily I can rest, sometimes even going to bed when nothing else works. So I feel that I am getting better at knowing how to try and get back on track. I am also trying to stick to a simpler menu and eat mostly at home so that I can be more confident about what I am eating. THANKS TO THOSE WHO REPLIED ABOUT THE NAUSEA .
    • Francis M
      The Happy Tart review

      By Francis M · Posted

      Thanks. Since the back and forth and promises of review and general stalling went on for more than six months, the credit company will no longer investigate. They have a cutoff of maybe six months.
    • Scott Adams
      The Happy Tart review

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Is this the same restaurant? https://www.facebook.com/TheHappyTartFallsChurch/ Is it too late to take this up with your credit card company? Normally you have a few months to do a chargeback with them. It seems very odd that they are taking this approach with someone who is likely to be a regular customer--not a good business-minded way of handling things!
    • Scott Adams
      Stomach burning and neuropathy

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful: The most common nutrient deficiencies associated with celiac disease that may lead to testing for the condition include iron, vitamin D, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.  Unfortunately many doctors, including my own doctor at the time, don't do extensive follow up testing for a broad range of nutrient deficiencies, nor recommend that those just diagnosed with celiac disease take a broad spectrum vitamin/mineral supplement, which would greatly benefit most, if not all, newly diagnosed celiacs. Because of this it took me decades to overcome a few long-standing issues I had that were associated with gluten ataxia, for example numbness and tingling in my feet, and muscle knots--especially in my shoulders an neck. Only long term extensive supplementation has helped me to resolve these issues.        
×
×
  • 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.