Gluten Sensitive--Healing Process

[Hiawatha]

I was tested by Enterolab to indicate that I have gluten and casein sensitivities. I started a strict diet in November (2010)--but I have not yet experienced an improvement in symtpoms. Symptoms include: left temple ache/numbness, left arm pain, right leg weakness, muscle twitching, fatigue, etc. I am also taking a variety of supplements, including: probiotics, vitamins D3 and B12, and a multivitamin.

Just for a bit more background, I am a 49 year old man. As many of you have experienced, I was tested for a wide variety of diseases/ailments before determinining that I am gluten sensitive.

My question is this. Recently, I was out of town and ate at a restaurant (PF Chang's) that has a gluten free menu. Shortly after dinner, my stomach started hurting. I experienced stomach pain until the following day. I am wondering, if this was an exposure to gluten, how long this may set me back in the healing process--particularly since I have not yet experienced a relief of any symptoms.

Any ideas on this? Thanks.

[Marilyn R]

I've read other posts that PF Chang's is a really good gluten-free option. Have you considered a soy intolerance? That's fairly common, and I believe PF Chang's has a separate gluten-free SF menu.

If you haven't really felt better since going gluten-free, you could have some other food intolerances worth exploring. Dairy and soy are on top of the list, legumes and/or nightshades follow. Some people have success at reintroducing those foods after allowing some time for their digerstve system to heal. Hope that helps, good luck.

[kwylee]

I totally agree that you may be experiencing additional food intolerances. I wasn't feeling better until I removed any trace of soy in addition to the gluten and casein, PLUS totally went unprocessed - and foods that were easiest to digest. In fact, I started with only a few foods and ate only those for a few days. If I felt good, then I add another food ONE AT A TIME, every few days. I kept a quick jot of what I ate and what time I ate it. When I'd experience the least little symptom, I'd make a note. Before long I knew what I could tolerate. At the top of the list was fresh foods, unprocessed foods, no preservatives or dyes or coloring. I know it sounds boring but it's so worth it.

As I recall, I started with chicken, eggs, broccoli, lettuce, avocado, olive oil, raw honey and lots of good filtered fresh water. Then I added foods from there in a controlled manner. After a few months I'd retry foods that I couldn't tolerate at first and sometimes I found I could eat them. But after a year I still have problems with (gluten, of course), casein and soy. I'll get dizzy within minutes. But I am content to eat the way I do now because I feel so much better. Everything's better!

I hope you are feeling good soon!

[Hiawatha]

I have also been casein-free for the past seven months. I do not eat much (any?)soy that I am aware of--and a minimal amount of processed food. I will look again at the processed foods though. Thanks for your recommendations.

[cahill]

I have also been casein-free for the past seven months. I do not eat much (any?)soy that I am aware of--and a minimal amount of processed food. I will look again at the processed foods though. Thanks for your recommendations.

There is soy in many processed foods,canned tuna fish,hot dogs,ranch dressing and other salad dressings,mayo , most vegetable oil is soy oil,chicken and beef bullion ,lip gloss ( for your wife of course )gluten free baked products, many vitamins and mineral supplements have soy ,many rice crackers are made on shared lines or in shared plants ,,the list goes on and on........the one that broke my heart was the gluten free brownie mix I had been using has soy