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

Gluten Challenge: Tips?!

healinginprogress

Recommended Posts

healinginprogress Enthusiast
healinginprogress
Posted

So...8 months later and I'm FINALLY getting the colonoscopy and gastroscopy I need before I can get surgery. I've still been quite ill, despite going gluten-free, so there is some concern that more is going on, but it may just be the damage they are planning to repair. While they're messing around in there they want to do a biopsy do get the "DEFINITIVE DIAGNOSIS". So? Gluten Challenge! Well, after merely a day and a half, I understand why it's called a "Challenge"!!!

I'm wondering if anyone has tips for dealing with any of the symptoms? The nausea seems to be the worst for me so far (haven't got to the big "D" yet...), along with a migraine, fogginess, anxiety, and fatigue.

If anyone found great ways to cope with the challenge...please...SHARE!!! :)

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


domesticactivist Collaborator
domesticactivist
Posted

I haven't done it, but I have a couple thoughts for you.

1. How long are they having you do the challenge before the biopsy? A few days is not enough for an accurate result.

2. Please record all your symptoms and what you ate in detail. That way if you can't stick with the challenge at least you'll have something to show your doctor.

Good luck!

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

Keep a record of symptoms as the other poster stated. In addition if things get bad call the doctor's office and ask to speak with either the doctor or a nurse. They may need to call you back but most will. Then give them all the gory details if you are being woken up at night by the pain and D make sure they know that. Some doctors will advise you to stop the challenge if symptoms are severe.

Googles Community Regular
Googles
Posted

When I get glutened I get nausea for multiple days afterwards (once for 3 months). My doctor prescribed an anti-nausea med to help me be able to eat, as without it I couldn't keep food down. It helped a lot. You might want to look into that for the nausea. I was going to say make sure it is gluten free, but if you are on a challenge, that might not matter.

Monklady123 Collaborator
Monklady123
Posted

So...8 months later and I'm FINALLY getting the colonoscopy and gastroscopy I need before I can get surgery. I've still been quite ill, despite going gluten-free, so there is some concern that more is going on, but it may just be the damage they are planning to repair. While they're messing around in there they want to do a biopsy do get the "DEFINITIVE DIAGNOSIS". So? Gluten Challenge! Well, after merely a day and a half, I understand why it's called a "Challenge"!!!

I'm wondering if anyone has tips for dealing with any of the symptoms? The nausea seems to be the worst for me so far (haven't got to the big "D" yet...), along with a migraine, fogginess, anxiety, and fatigue.

If anyone found great ways to cope with the challenge...please...SHARE!!! :)

I have no suggestions, but I'm wondering why anyone feels they need a "definitive diagnosis"? seriously... if you feel good when you're off gluten and terrible when you're on it...well then why does it matter to you if you have a diagnosis? I'm using "you" in the general sense, not specifically to the OP. I don't understand why anyone would put themselves through this "challenge".

Googles Community Regular
Googles
Posted

I have no suggestions, but I'm wondering why anyone feels they need a "definitive diagnosis"? seriously... if you feel good when you're off gluten and terrible when you're on it...well then why does it matter to you if you have a diagnosis? I'm using "you" in the general sense, not specifically to the OP. I don't understand why anyone would put themselves through this "challenge".

I don't know if this is why the OP is doing it, but, sometimes people need it for accommodations, like for school or work. Without an official diagnosis from a doctor they don't have to provide those. Also sometimes it is easier for people to stick to the diet when they have an official diagnosis as it is so challenging. It is easier for some people than trying to wonder if it could be something else possibly. Also sometimes family is more accepting with an official diagnosis, and don't question that it is "in the person's head".

love2travel Mentor
love2travel
Posted

I have no suggestions, but I'm wondering why anyone feels they need a "definitive diagnosis"? seriously... if you feel good when you're off gluten and terrible when you're on it...well then why does it matter to you if you have a diagnosis? I'm using "you" in the general sense, not specifically to the OP. I don't understand why anyone would put themselves through this "challenge".

I put myself through the challenge because gluten did not make me sick at all. Nil. So, I truly did not believe I had celiac until the biopsies came back positive. So, I needed it to prove that I have the disease otherwise I likely would not have done anything about it. I frankly LOVED the challenge, getting to eat all the yummy gluten I wanted to for three whole months. I made a gigantic list of my favourites and crossed them off as I had them one last time. If I felt terrible on gluten it would likely be a very different story.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


healinginprogress Enthusiast
healinginprogress
Posted
  • Author

Thank you for the responses! Now, I am not a quitter, so I feel a little like I "wimped out", but the intensity of my migraine the 3rd morning definitely changed my mind about the "challenge". I will call the doctor on Monday and see what he says. He did, after all, give me the option. And if I was asymptomatic then I could see staying on the challenge for sure. But I puked so many times yesterday that my throat is sore and that's just not healthy. The pain and the fatigue are not worth it, either. After they do the colonoscopy/endoscopy they are scheduling me for surgery, so I'm going to need to be as healthy as possible going into that. I think this is all the proof I need that I am indeed Celiac!

Why did I want the definitive diagnosis? I'm the type of person who needs to KNOW things. I thrive on information, numbers, facts...not so much theories and probabilities. I like certainty. I know life isn't about certainty, it's just what makes me comfortable. I feel weird saying I have Celiac Disease when I don't have the data to back it up, aside from a very positive blood test and very telling symptoms. I just graduated from university, so I guess I'm used to having to prove things.

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. melthebell
      - melthebell replied to melthebell's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      2

      Persistent isolated high DGP-IGG in child despite gluten-free diet

      Thanks very much for taking the time to write this. I have been pretty worried so appreciate reading any advice. Yes, the endoscopy will include a biopsy, and we have hopefully found a good pediatric gastro to guide us through it all. Will also run the HLA typing - I have the swabs ready to go.
    2. trents
      - trents replied to melthebell's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      2

      Persistent isolated high DGP-IGG in child despite gluten-free diet

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @melthebell! I certainly would have a biopsy repeated as it has been 5 years since the first one. You mentioned he was scheduled for an endoscopy but make sure a biopsy is also done. It's possible he, like you are, is a "silent" celiac where the damage to the intestinal mucosa happens very slowly and can take years...
    3. melthebell
      - melthebell posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      2

      Persistent isolated high DGP-IGG in child despite gluten-free diet

      Hello community; it's nice to have found you. I am a 42 year old biopsy confirmed celiac. I have had it since I was 18. Well managed on a gluten free diet. No idea if I have the gene (presume I do) as never tested. Diagnosed as was anaemic and had a high celiac market (can't recall which), and a positive biopsy. Asymptomatic. Given this, I regularly...
    4. trents
      - trents commented on Scott Adams's article in Winter 2026 Issue
      4

      Why Celiac Diagnosis Still Takes Years—and How to Change That

      @par18, I don't totally disagree with what you say in theory. But like many things in life, one size doesn't fit all. While a formal diagnosis of celiac disease or NCGS is certainly not essential since, in the big picture of things, eliminating gluten is the antidote to either, there are some other considerations that give importance to seeking a formal diagnosis...
    5. Jmartes71
      - Jmartes71 replied to Known1's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      4

      What would you do - neighbor brought gluten-free pizza from Papa Murphy's

      Domino's and Mountain Mike also has glutenfree pizza.However the issue is the cross contamination. Not worth a few minutes of yum yums i n the taste buds with a painful explosion later.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,498
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    genliu
    Newest Member
    genliu
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • melthebell
      Persistent isolated high DGP-IGG in child despite gluten-free diet

      By melthebell · Posted

      Thanks very much for taking the time to write this. I have been pretty worried so appreciate reading any advice. Yes, the endoscopy will include a biopsy, and we have hopefully found a good pediatric gastro to guide us through it all.  Will also run the HLA typing - I have the swabs ready to go.
    • trents
      Persistent isolated high DGP-IGG in child despite gluten-free diet

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @melthebell! I certainly would have a biopsy repeated as it has been 5 years since the first one. You mentioned he was scheduled for an endoscopy but make sure a biopsy is also done. It's possible he, like you are, is a "silent" celiac where the damage to the intestinal mucosa happens very slowly and can take years to manifest to the point of being detectable and where symptoms are minimal or absent. At 10 years old, his immune system may not be mature enough het to trigger the usual IGA responses that the IGA celiac tests are designed to detect.  I would also have genetic testing done to confirm that he has or doesn't have the potential to develop celiac disease. The genetic profile can also offer insight into the type of celiac disease a person will develop if they ever convert from latent to active. Take a look at table 2 under the section "Types of Celiac Disease" in the article found in this link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9980758/  Genetic testing is available from 3rd party labs. I think you just have to send in a cheek swab sample.
    • melthebell
      Persistent isolated high DGP-IGG in child despite gluten-free diet

      By melthebell · Posted

      Hello community; it's nice to have found you. I am a 42 year old biopsy confirmed celiac. I have had it since I was 18. Well managed on a gluten free diet. No idea if I have the gene (presume I do) as never tested. Diagnosed as was anaemic and had a high celiac market (can't recall which), and a positive biopsy. Asymptomatic. Given this, I regularly test my two children. My eldest is the child in question. First tested at age 5 due to slight anaemia. Everything negative except for a slightly high DGP IGG (slightly elevated at 25). Not IGA deficient. Did a biopsy with a pediatric gastro, was negative. Next test at age 8. Everything once again negative, high DGP IGG at 116 U/ml this time. Living in a country now with no celiac knowledge so decided to whack him on a gluten-free diet and see how he goes. Next test at age 9 after a year on gluten-free diet. Everything once again negative, high DGP IGG at 174 U/ml this time! On a gluten-free diet. Final test was a week ago at age 10, on continued gluten-free diet. Once again a positive DGP IGG, this time over 250 U/ml. On a gluten-free diet. what the heck is going on with my kid? We have seen a pediatric gastro via telehealth, who was equally puzzled and suggested doing a gluten challenge and an endoscopy, which we have schedule for end of April. Kid is otherwise fine. Energetic and growing well. No significant gastrointestinal symptoms. Has anyone encountered something like this before?
    • Jmartes71
      What would you do - neighbor brought gluten-free pizza from Papa Murphy's

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      Domino's and Mountain Mike also has glutenfree pizza.However the issue is the cross contamination. Not worth a few minutes of yum yums i n the taste buds with a painful explosion later.
    • Scott Adams
      Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I don't recall seeing "many people here recommending RO water," but reverse osmosis (RO) water is water that has been purified by forcing it through a very fine membrane that removes dissolved salts, heavy metals, fluoride, nitrates, PFAS, and many other contaminants. It is one of the most thorough household filtration methods available and can be especially beneficial in areas with well water or known contamination concerns. While RO systems also remove beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium and may produce slightly “flat”-tasting water, most dietary minerals come from food rather than drinking water, so this is not usually a health concern for most people. Overall, RO water is very clean and safe to drink, and it can be a smart option where water quality is questionable, though it may not be necessary in areas with well-tested municipal water.
×
×
  • 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.