Was Just Told To Start The Gluten Challenge

[dice401]

I just got back from my Dr's office, told her all about my symptoms and she didn't even suggest tests. She said the best test (for me) was the one month challenge. And I can honestly say, after reading a bunch of the posts on here, I'm kinda glad that I didn't get formal tests. I wouldn't want to get my hopes up for a conclusive answer, only to have them dashed with inconclusive results.

My biggest complaints would be the chronic constipation, the bloating and gut pain and the extreme tiredness. I've had my suspicions for a while now that it was possibly gluten, but have chosen to suffer until now.

So I can't wait to see if week by week I feel better and better

[ravenwoodglass]

Are you doing a challenge or an elimination? A challenge is when you have been gluten free for long enough to see some improvement and then eat gluten again to see if you react. If you are doing an elimination to see if it helps do read as much as you can here to learn what we need to do to remove gluten cross contamination risks and go with as much whole unprocessed foods as you can. Be sure to check any meds or supplements you take with the maker to be sure they are gluten free also. If you have already eliminated gluten and are doing a challenge then be aware that if you react the challenge is positive and you should let your doctor know. Unless someone is doing a challenge for testing you don't need to continue it after you have reacted.

[mushroom]

It sounds like she is asking you to eliminate gluten for one month and then eat it again and see how you feel. Do be aware that if after that she doesn't give you a diagnosis and you decide you would like a diagnosis after all, that in order to be tested you would have to go back to eating a full gluten diet for at least two months to build up the antibodies in the blood and to redamage your small intestine. Many find that after a month off gluten they react so badly to it when reintroduced that they cannot make it through the two months necessary. So by giving up gluten now you are making a pretty irrevocable decision not to be tested. Of course, this is perfectly all right if this is the way you want to go. I just wanted you to know you may be precluding some options further down the road. (I am self diagnosed - never had any testing of any kind )

[dice401]

Hmm I guess it would be an elimination then. As far as my doc was concerned, if I'm feeling better by eliminating gluten from my diet, she told me to just carry on with it. She doesn't want me back for tests unless I am not feeling better from this elimination.

Today is day 1 of gluten free. I'm willing to take this on full force 'cause I just feel like complete crud. In the last 3 or 4 days alone I've gotten to the point where I'm so tired, I feel like I could either up chuck or pass out.

[Cara in Boston]

Keep in mind that if gluten is your problem, you may feel worse before you feel better. My first two weeks without gluten were worse, but now I am gradually feeling much better. Don't give up.

Cara