Questions From A Newbie

[Joyful]

When you are glutened, do you get confusion and memory loss?

I started noticing this a few months ago, after meals. I wouldn't be able to concentrate or remember things after eating grains, coffee, cheese... gluten protein analogues. I'm currently trying to get a doctor to consider celiac. I tested negative for alpha-gliadin, but I swear one night after three bites of oatmeal, I thought I was going to end up in the ER. There is something going on.

I'm thinking of ordering the Cyrex labs tests. Anyone tried them? Would you recommend a certain test?

I stopped eating all gluten protein analogues and I am feeling tons better, but not cured. How long does it take the gut to heal? Fasting seems to help. What else can I do?

Is there some sort of insoluble fiber I can take that is NOT psyllium? Does fiber help or hurt?

Sorry for all the questions. I'm so desperate to learn.

Thanks so much!

Joy

[Adalaide]

One of the symptoms of celiac is what I learned from this site to call brain fog. Fortunately for me, although I suspect I suffered from celiac my whole life I only suffered from brain fog for about 3 or so years. I felt like I lived in a surreal world. I got very ill shortly after being married and while I remember big moments, I remember absolutely no small details. I've lost pretty much most of my marriage to celiac. If I get cc I feel disconnected from the world, sort of like it just kind of isn't quite real. I never discussed this with my doctor the entire 3 years I felt this way because I didn't want to end up in the loony bin.

Blood tests can be useful. I don't remember which ones in particular but someone else will, but they aren't always right. My blood tests came back negative although they were done the same day I had a biopsy done that came back positive. Since you are still eating gluten, I would suggest having the biopsy done. Then, no matter the results follow your gut. If you feel like it could be a problem, eliminate from your diet and see if it helps. If you feel better not eating it, then don't eat it. Just remember, you can't test if you aren't eating it.

[GFinDC]

Hi,

Here are some threads that may help.

FAQ Celiac com

https://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/forum-7/announcement-3-frequently-asked-questions-about-celiac-disease/

Newbie Info 101

What's For Breakfast Today?

What Did You Have For Lunch Today?

What Are You Cooking Tonight?

How bad is cheating?

[ker0pi]

Hello,

I am a "brain fog" sufferer. It was my first symptom, I thought my pregnancy "baby brain" just never went away. I was so forgetful and that was something I had never experienced in my life, I work with numbers and could quote any figure from a financial statement I had just looked over, that went away. I kept blowing off my husbands concerns, telling him it was completely normal to be a scatter brain after having a baby. Well my baby is turning 6 next week and I'm still scatter brained, much improved after going gluten-free 4 weeks ago. I had some other joint pain and balance issues that went away as soon as I went gluten-free. I tested negative in my Celiac Panel but went gluten-free anyway and for me, that was most definitely the problem. Now that I've been gluten-free for 4 weeks I have really reflected and realized I had plenty of other symptoms over the years that point to Gluten Intolerance or Celiac. I decided not to push for a biopsy myself because I have a really horrible reaction to general anesthesia. The improvement I have had after just 4 weeks is enough for me to stay strict to this diet.