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[SaraM-07]

I am 19 years old, and in college in a small town in south central nebraska. Right before thanksgiving, I starting connecting some weird symptoms I was getting to wheat products. I mentioned it to my doctor, and they did a blood test and found nothing. I still stuck to a gluten free diet until Christmas, when I did my best to cut back, but showed symptoms again after eating it. I then continued to do a gluten free diet for 3 straight weeks before giving into a subway sandwich... and ever sense then, I have not been able to "Stay on the wagon" for more that a few days at a time.

To me this is gross and embarrassing, but when I eat something with gluten, i get horrible gas. I become bloated, and Fart uncontrollably all day! It doesn't smell too great either. I also get rashes around my eyes, they start off red, then become flakey, but last for a while. I haven't yet fully connected headaches to this, but it is something I will look out for when i get tested.

MY QUESTION:

Do my symptoms match anyone else? I cant get diagnosed till this summer being as im attending school in another state. What are some other symptoms people have? What do you eat when you can't resist the cravings? how have you stayed on the wagon?

Anythings will help! cant wait to keep up with everyones blogs!

-thanks

--"unsure" Sara

[Ninja]

The other day I had to take home 2 boxes of caramel delight girl scout cookies. OMG, how I wanted even just one of those cookies so badly. I didn't and I guess that's because I was afraid of how my body would react after being (vigilantly) gluten free for 5 weeks. I definitely don't want to start over! My understanding is that your symptoms may subside within the first few weeks of going gluten-free, but that some of the nagging ones may take much longer to go away. They say a strict 3 month trial is necessary to begin feeling some of the more lasting effects.

Strangely, going gluten-free eliminated my cravings. I used to crave lots of chocolate, crackers, bread and desserts.

Symptoms vary widely

[mushroom]

Just a word of caution, Sara. You are unlikely to get accurate testing if you are not eating a full gluten diet. The recommendation is the equivallent of 3-4 slices of bread for two to three months prior to testing. With no (or little) gluten intake your body stops producing the entitbodies to fight it, and antibodies is what the testing measures. Similarly, if a biopsy is ordered, no gluten means the instinal tract starts to heal, and there may not be enough damage to measure.

So you have to make a decision before summer comes along about whether you want to be tested or you want to eat truly gluten free and see if you get better.

You will find a partial listing of typical celiac symptoms here: https://www.celiac.com/articles/1106/1/Celiac-Disease-Symptoms/Page1.html

[Cathey]

To me this is gross and embarrassing, but when I eat something with gluten, i get horrible gas. I become bloated, and Fart uncontrollably all day! It doesn't smell too great either. I also get rashes around my eyes, they start off red, then become flakey, but last for a while. I haven't yet fully connected headaches to this, but it is something I will look out for when i get tested.

MY QUESTION:

Do my symptoms match anyone else? I cant get diagnosed till this summer being as im attending school in another state. What are some other symptoms people have? What do you eat when you can't resist the cravings? how have you stayed on the wagon?

Mushroom is right about the having to stay on gluten for an accurate test.

I know it's a hard discussion to indulge or not, but one you may have to decide on soon before this summer to be tested. If you decide to be gluten-free while @ school try and eat only whole foods. A good go to snack is corn tortilla chips, potato chips, salsa's, or try a great salad with the cold cuts and all good fixings in lieu of a subway, also try and find a gluten-free pizza.

I have been 100% very strict gluten free as well as our home for 4 months and I was feeling soo much better. I got accidently gluten over a 7 day period (new medication). Well, the gas, bloating is back and the big D is worst then ever. I changed medication last Friday and starting to get better.

Hope your feeling better and making good choice to feel better and get through the semester.

[Weeny]

Does one have to eat 4 slices of bread a day? I usually eat one sandwich per day... Plus some cake here and there and eat whatever I want. Isn't it enough?

I will do the bloodwork in 1,5 months at the earliest... Feel terrible in my belly at this moment. It wasn't that bad in the beginning, but now I feel sick in the morning also:/