My Progress At 3.5 Months Gf

[Wandering Hermit]

Well, I'm at a first milestone of sorts. I have gone 3.5 months gluten-free with only 1 confirmed accident early on.

When I was diagnosed in April, the tests gave these results:

gliadin IgA = 21 (0-19 normal) - this was called a 'weak positive'

gliadin IgG = 82 (0-19 normal) - moderate/high

transglutamase = 4 (0-19)- normal

Last week I had another blood panel done. This is where they are now:

gliadin IgA = 1 (0-4 normal)

gliadin IgG = 4 (0-9 normal)

transglutamase = 1 (0-3)

So it looks like the gluten-free diet has made a difference.

Also, since going gluten-free, I have had 0 cases of D, and very few abdominal cramps - although the BMs have still been a bit loose and there has been some mucus that I wish would abate. But I am quite happy with the end of the D.

But one group of problems remains - perhaps it is a lingering celiac issue, perhaps it is something else - I still suffer the lightheadedness, fatigue, and bone pain (epsecially in neck) - this does not occur everyday, I have some days I feel okay - but most days I still feel it. At times I think I am going to pass out.

I have also noticed that taking aspirin, which usually works well on my pain, does nothing for it anymore. It makes me wonder if medications are less effective on celiacs because of the malabsorption?

Is it normal for the blood work to return to normal and the guts to geel okay, yet continue to have the dizziness and lethargy? Some days I just yawn and yawn and yawn about once a minute, I swear.

I wonder what it is about celiac disease that causes these secondary effects. It cannot be the antibodies themselves because my blood work indicates they have cleared up. Is it a result of ongoing malnutrition?

Also I have not had any weight change in the 3 months. I am wondering - if I suffer from malnutrition, wouldn't that mean that I would lose weight?

Anyway, thanks for reading, and thanks for all the support, everyone.

[KaitiUSA]

You might not lose weight. Not everyone loses weight with celiac. You could gain it. All my symptoms did not go away until 8 months. To have progress like you have seen is definitely good. Even if the blood is in the normal range you can still have symptoms. Like when I get accidentally glutened one day and fell like crap but get a blood test done...the blood tests would come back negative but I would still feel the symptoms.

Just stick with the diet and you will see increased improvement with time. What kind of aspirin do you take? Some is not gluten free. Well if you are not absorbing yet , or if there is still damage in your intestines then that would interfere with the distribution of the medicine.

[Wandering Hermit]

Kaiti thanks for the feedback.

I have been taking Excedrin. I was using Bufferin but there is some question that it is not gluten-free. Not that either is doing much for me.

I want to be sure I am getting my nutrition but I am doubtful that taking my daily Centrum, plus 1000mg of Calcium is doing the trick. On the other hand I do not want to take more vitamins - I know too many may be bad. So I am thinking perhaps I should increase my food intake and see how that makes me feel - especially upping my fruit and veggie intake every day by a significant amount.

[KaitiUSA]

I know if people have problems with not absorbing properly then liquid vitamins are supposed to be really good because they are extra absorbable.

Another thing...if you have a juicer you can make yourself fruit and veggie drinks that should be absorbed very well. My mom makes the absolute best ones and you can tell your body just wants that nutrition.

Hope you continue to improve

[perfect010]

Do not get discouraged. You are definitely on the right track. It can take up to nine months for the intestines to repair. The villi were totally flattened out and destroyed for a long time, all your life, and they need to regenerate and then become functional. One thing that can make your stools less mucusy is dairy products or fatty foods. Once you are repaired and feeling well fine, but while you are healing I would stay away from fatty foods and dairy for a while. Also make sure that you are taking vitamins that are natural not synthetic. You want to take organic/natural vitamins. Watch those one a days or combination vitamins. Some vitamins only work when you take them on their own. About the weight, have you ever heard of leaky gut sybdrome? this is something that can happen when you have celiacs. Bigger particles of food actually escape through the bowls into your body or blood stream. This causes the body to react and weight gain is one of the effects. Have you ever heard of colostrum? This is usually in a powder that you can find in a health food store or look on line. Colostrum is what is found in a mothers breast milk. It is excellent for helping the intestines to heal and work the way they are suppose to. The intestines are a very important part of body. Look colostrum up and read the information about it, you will be amazed. About the dizziness, have you ever tried a chiropractor, or a massage therapists. Our bodies have been through hell because of celiacs disease and sometimes the muscles have a pockets in them were the bad stuff from our bodies is stored (stuff like carbon dioxide and other poisons our bodies make). This can cause a chain reaction that causes us pain and suffering. A chiropractor can do an adjustment and put things back where they belong and work those pockets out. A meassage therapist can also work out those pockets of poison. Try it it can't hurt. I am talking from experience. I have had soooo much dizziness in my life. I am even the designated driver for everywhere we go, because when I would ride the dizziness would make me so sick. Now my family still expects me to drive everywhere because they got so used to me driving. Be active in stretching and exercising, this will make a difference in your muscles and bone aches!! Also this will increase your blood flow to all the areas your body needs and will help reduce your symptoms. Also check with your doctor and make sure that your iron is ok. Low iron can cause some of these symptoms. I take a large tablespoon of organic black strap molasses (full flavor) every morning because it is natural and it has a lot of iron in it. I keep it in the fridge, it is easier to take when it is cold. It doesnt taste that bad, but being cold helps. Always educate yourself in any way you can. I have been doing this for three years and believe me you will feel better, you just have to find what works for you. It was about 10 months before I looked in the mirror one day and said hey I think I have been feeling pretty good. Now my blood tests were all in the hundreds. The specialists that went over my blood work, said I had the highest levels in my blood that he had ever seen, and now I am down below where everything should be. You will get there. Also try to be natural, celiacs can be super sensative to things, like medications and chemicals. Look foe alternatives instead of taking medications (whenever possible, sometimes we have to take meds) I know that I had a hysterectomy last year and for three days in the hospital I had pain meds, but when I got home I had only one dose of tylenol that evening and I never had to take anything else. I had read that pineapple was good to help with pain, and that drinking a lot of water would help. So I ate pineapple and drank a lot, and I mean a lot of water, and I did really well. Like I said everyone is different, just try to pay attention to your body and what it is telling you and you will find what works for you. I'll say a prayer for you, and I hope you will keep doing better each day!!