Question About Gluten Challenge

[Brittany85]

I've been on a gluten challenge for almost a month in preparation for testing and at first it was unbearable. Almost constant migraines, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, etc. Now, it's eased off quite a bit. Fewer migraines, not a lot of nausea, hardly any evidence of INTENSE glutening like I was experiencing before. I still have fatigue, back to being constipated, super gassy, foggy-headedness, etc., so I'm still feeling the effects of gluten but it feels like my body got a little used to it again...

Is this a common response?

[ukdan]

I don't know if it is common but I've just finished a challenge (being tested later today) and I can say for me it was the same. I did start to question at times whether I did really have a sensitivity or not when my symptoms lessened occasionally.

All I can suggest from my understanding is that intolerance (whether it is full blown celiac or not) is sensitive to other factors.

Stress for me is one of them and I found my symptoms were worse when I was fighting off these other stressful factors, probably as my immune system was overloaded.

I have also read (I can't remember where now) that reactions to intolerant foods can lessen over a time, not because we become less intolerant but because the immune system becomes so overrun it can't fight back so hard. That's not to say however that the damage is still not being done.

I'd say stick with it if you can as you've lasted this long already but it seems you may already have your answer.

Hope this helps!

[jennynic]

I had the exact same experience...I was in bed a lot the first week after reintroducing gluten with migraines and extreme fatigue. My stomach was also really bloated. I wasn't sure I would make it through the entire challenge. Then it was if things leveled out and my energy came back, at least enough so I could go through the daily routine. But I'm still feeling the effects of the gluten and I'm counting the days until my endoscopy (Friday) so I can go gluten free again.

[tom]

Wow 3 for 3 - I'm surprised I hadn't heard this before.

I didn't do a challenge so no input here but I do have a question.

Curious about how much gluten you're all consuming for the challenge (& for how long) & whether that's a factor in this. I've seen Drs say 1/2 slice bread/day for a month, or 2 slices/day for 3 months, or eat 'normal' w/out really tracking or go all out pasta/pizza/etc.

So, Brittany, Dan & Jenny, hope you see this & reply.

Thanks

Tom

[love2travel]

Wow 3 for 3 - I'm surprised I hadn't heard this before.

I didn't do a challenge so no input here but I do have a question.

Curious about how much gluten you're all consuming for the challenge (& for how long) & whether that's a factor in this. I've seen Drs say 1/2 slice bread/day for a month, or 2 slices/day for 3 months, or eat 'normal' w/out really tracking or go all out pasta/pizza/etc.

So, Brittany, Dan & Jenny, hope you see this & reply.

Thanks

Tom

I loved my gluten challenge because I got to pig out on gluten. Needless to say I did not get sick before anyway. Now that I have been strictly gluten free for a year I am not about to re-try!

Anyway, good doctors recommend the equivalent of 3-4 pieces of bread a day for 3 months. I just ate normally and didn't track it on paper but did mentally, knowing that if I had tons of gluten one day I would have a bit less the next but I tried to be as consistent as I could. I had far more things than bread, though.

[ukdan]

I was advised the equivalent of 3-4 slices of bread for 6 weeks, I'll find out soon whether it was enough as I've also heard it should have been longer.

[UKGail]

Hi - I've just seen this and am wondering how you all got on with your gluten challenges?

I have just started mine after 6 months gluten free. A new GI, who is a celiac specialist, wants to do an endoscopy and colonoscopy quickly to see what's going on, so I only have to stick it for 2 weeks. Not hopeful of a positive diagnosis after that time, particularly as I am sero-negative. However I am keen to rule out other possible causes of continuing lower abdominal pain and tenderness. I'll be going straight back to being gluten free after the procedure, whatever the result.

Like Brittany, Dan and Jenny, after 6 days on gluten, I am also experiencing a levelling out of symptoms, and they are nowhere near as bad as the rapidly escalating symptoms which led to me going gluten free in the first place. I have essentially gone back to my longstanding level of chronic low/medium abdominal pain with intermittent problems with loose stools/mucus/constipation, plus chronic fatigue, joint and muscle pain, and a sore hip bone. Mild headache, but no migraine. Anxiety, irritablity and brain fog are back after 3 days. That's not good for work. I never associated the non-abdominal problems with gluten until I stopped eating it. I am looking forwarding to rediscovering my engergy and clear brain once the procedures are over.

One weird thing though, I notice the symptoms coming on about an hour or two after eating gluten, and the worst of them wearing off after about 6 hours, provided I don't top up with more gluten in the meantime. A new symptom appeared with yesterday's intake - an inability to walk in a straight line. Thankfully it has worn off and not reappeared today.

For the record, I am eating a large bowl of wheaty cereal for breakfast, and at least 2 slices of bread either at lunch or at dinner. I am still avoiding dairy (which I know I am still intolerant to) and am otherwise still sticking to my strict, low grain, unprocessed wholefoods diet to avoid confusion with any other possible intolerances.

[tom]

...

A new symptom appeared with yesterday's intake - an inability to walk in a straight line. Thankfully it has worn off and not reappeared today.

...

That's Ataxia, btw. There can be other causes but Gluten Ataxia is the term a Dr would use once convinced the gluten caused it.