Can 24 Hrs Of Gluten-Free Make You Feel This Much Better?

[beebs]

I do not have *normal* GI symptoms either. Some people only have neuro symptoms, some celiacs don't have one symptom.

Yes you can feel better quickly, the day I quit gluten was the day that I stopped taking meds for GERD, and I had been on meds for years and they didn't even work - my reflux was bad, I couldn't swallow water. So anyhow - It was noticeable straight away how much better I was.

I would ask your husband to be tested. Honestly - what can it hurt?

[Korwyn]

My primary symptoms and food linkages are below along with onset (there is some symptom overlap):

Gluten/celiac disease related:

• Chest pain/Tachyacardia - age 19 (20+) years ago, would come and go for 20 years
  
• Gradually developing fatigue, always tired - first observed 10 years pre-gluten-free
  
• Insomnia - first observed 14 years pre-gluten-free
  
• OCD issues - first observed 6 years pre-gluten-free
  
• GERD - first observed 8 years pre-gluten-free
  
• Diarrhea - Onset 6 years pre-gluten-free
  
• Memory issues - Onset 6 years pre-gluten-free
  
• Weight loss - Six months prior to going gluten-free
  
• Brain Fog - Onset 6 years pre-gluten-free
  
• Stomach pains of undetermined cause 8 years pre-gluten-free
  
• Skin issues (infections, psoriasis) - Onset 20 years Pre-gluten-free
  
• Anxiety - Lifelong
  
• Depression - Lifelong
  
• Rapid Mood swings - Lifelong
  
• Vitamin deficiencies (D,B,K)
  
• Mineral deficiencies (Sodium, Copper, Magnesium, Iron)
  

Soy related:

• Panic Attacks - first observed 8 years pre-gluten-free
  
• Anxiety - first observed 12 years pre-gluten-free
  
• Night sweats - first observed 2 years ago 5 months post-gluten-free
  

Pasteurized Dairy(* See footnote):

• Stomach pains of undetermined cause 8 years pre-gluten-free
  
• Diarrhea - Onset 6 years pre-gluten-free
  
• Nausea/Vomiting - Onset 6 years pre-gluten-free
  
• Nasal Allergies/Sinus infections - Onset 20 years pre-gluten-free
  

Diagnosed (D), Diagnosed and treated (DT), Suspected/Tested for (T) I've received over the years (some multiple times) prior to going gluten-free:

• IBS(DT)
  
• Clinical Depression(DT)
  
• Chronic Fatigue(S)
  
• Bipolar(T)
  
• Hernia (T)
  
• Bowel Obstruction (T)
  
• GERD(T)
  
• Stress(DT)
  
• Anxiety Disorder(DT)
  
• Hypochondria(S)
  
• Hypertension(DT)
  
• Hyper-thyroid(T)
  
• Hypo-thyroid(T)
  
• Ulcer(D)
  
• Atherosclerosis/Heart Disease (T) - Heart was perfectly healthy every time I was tested)
  
• Vitamin Deficient (DT) - Supplements never helped of course because I wasn't absorbing them
  

Some interesting things to me: My GI symptoms were related to pasteurized dairy products and gluten both, but were only present near the end when I started getting really sick. I never had any GI issues until 6 years prior to my diagnosis. Both gluten AND pasteurized dairy will produce GI issues now. Pasteurized dairy produces violent uncontrollable vomiting and diarrhea, gluten produces diarrhea. Raw milk does not produce any negative issues.

Another interesting part is that my Dad also suffered from many of these same conditions and diagnosis. He was diagnosed with non-treatable chemical depression and on multiple meds much of his adult life. Within a few months of getting diagnosed with celiac disease and going gluten, casein, and soy free he was off all but one med, which he takes at half-dose on an as needed basis (for anxiety).

Also - Every one of the symptoms listed above either improved dramatically or is entirely gone after 2.5 years on a strict gluten, soy, and (for two years) cow dairy free diet.

* Please note that I am not recommending (in this post) that anyone drink raw milk products. I'm merely reporting what I have discovered for my own personal health. Raw milk is considered by the FDA to be unhealthy.

[anabananakins]

QUESTIONS: Were any of you overweight? Do any of you take antacids (Prilosec)? Do any of you have this high end anxiety and fear of dying before you were diagnosed? Did any of you have this lethargy and fatigue? (My extended family calls that "laziness"!) Do any of you have those dark shadows around your eyes? This nonstop belching, chest pain -- is that esophageal spasms?

Yes. I'm overweight. I used to take antacids all the time (not a one since I went gluten free). I've been anxious since a small child, always lethargic and tired and those dark shadows lifted considerably when I went gluten free. Also, not sure about the last bit but when I used to throw up I would throw up for hours (like, 12) uncontrollably. Likewise when I cough I have trouble stopping - I'll cough for 6 months. The chiro thought they were connected. I haven't had either since I went gluten free (though that may not be conclusive since I take any cough medication I can avoid starting to cough and I don't throw up after I drink as much now because I'm not coming home and lining my already delicate stomach with gluten-y toast)

All the best to you both.

[Korwyn]

QUESTIONS: Were any of you overweight? Do any of you take antacids (Prilosec)? Do any of you have this high end anxiety and fear of dying before you were diagnosed? Did any of you have this lethargy and fatigue? (My extended family calls that "laziness"!) Do any of you have those dark shadows around your eyes? This nonstop belching, chest pain -- is that esophageal spasms?

I missed this paragraph earlier. Yes, I was overweight (obese). I've lost over 50 lbs (healthily) after going gluten-free. I no longer need antacids. Yes on the anxiety (see my previous response), and no on the fear of dying. About a week before my 40th birthday (two weeks before I went gluten-free) I told my wife I was pretty sure I was dying. At that point I was so sick physically (I lost 13 lbs in one week) and mentally that I wanted to die. I wasn't suicidal (yet) but another few weeks and I would have been there. The lethargy and fatigue - most definitely. Common symptom. Dark shadows around the eyes are also common (almost classic I think), though mostly in younger people from what I have read.

These doctors think I am a (b)witch because I am soooooo demanding that they help this child and none of them seem concerned that he has missed a solid straight month of school.

What's your take? Thanks.

With this disease, unfortunately, you must be your own researcher and find physicians who will listen to you. We usually have to educate our medical health care providers.

[Booghead]

I will just say this: get a new therapist. Your child is severly depressed. He sounds so anxious and depressed it breaks my heart. Celiacs Disease is not a death sentence, espiecally since he is so young. I am 17 and found out about 2 weeks ago. Do not have a therapist pump him full of meds. He needs to talk and calm down. Really calm down. Keep him off gluten as that seems to have helped. I do think he has a gluten allergy or celiacs. I also think he has SEVERE anxiety and depression. Those get worse when you take him off of the meds. I know because I have done it. After going off anxiety meds and depression meds I was a jerk to everyone for a whole month. I cried at everything. He is 15 years old. A young adult. Talk to him. He shouldn't freak out from a diagnosis like celiacs. Give him some info. Me and my mother went through this process together and I think part of his anxiety is because you treat him like a child and tell him nothing. It's ok to feel protective. But from what I can tell your son has 2 very big problems. The vomiting CAN be caused by anxiety and panic attacks. Same as Dihirea (sp?). His gastro problems could possibly all be caused by his anxiety tho I do not think so.Gluten is a factor in this case.

I am 17 so only a little older then he is. He is not a child so give him some respect to include him in your quest for anwsers.

Good Luck and I hope to not have offended you or anyone else.