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

Does This Sound Like A Simple Gluten Intolerance Or Something More?


Melina89

Recommended Posts

Melina89 Newbie

Hello.

About a year ago I went on an elimination diet to suss out the cause of my IBS and happened to discovered my life-long chronic eczema is actually caused by wheat/gluten. It seems, however, that ever since I went on this diet my intolerance has gone really low. So I decided to speak to a doctor about it and now I'm on a 6-week gluten diet to prepare for a blood test for celiac disease (I was previously eating 90% gluten-free).

Naturally, this diet is killing me.

I'm itchy all the time. My eczema has moved all over my body (as opposed to just my legs which is where it usually appears) and it's actually not exactly eczema-like anymore. Sometimes it's almost like I have bubbles. Not only that, my digestive system is all messed up, and I'm in terrible pain. Even more concerning is the stabbing pain I used to think was associated with polycystic ovaries in my lower right abdomen has returned.

I was hoping someone could answer me this: Does this sound like a simple gluten intolerance or is this more like celiac disease?

Any help is appreciated :)


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



tom Contributor

Hi Melina,

Gluten Intolerance (or NCGI, non-celiac gluten intolerance) doesn't often seem to be all that simple around here, but I get that it's easy to use that adjective at first.

Re the eczema - you should look into whether it might really be DH https://www.celiac.com/forums/forum/26-dermatitis-herpetiformis/ , the celiac skin condition.

A DH diagnosis = celiac.

With so many symptoms from the gluten challenge, if I were you, I think I'd try to get the info to the Dr asap, & perhaps get the appt moved up. Particularly since you weren't really gluten-free before the challenge, going by the 90% gluten-free statement.

(As an aside, it seems a little puzzling that your symptoms were elim'd or so reduced while only 90% gluten-free. Maybe some weeks were 100%? :unsure: )

To answer your main question, it certainly sounds like either celiac or a "non-simple" NCGI.

Yeah ...not *really* answering the question, but such is the state of celiac testing. There are patients w/ celiac who are currently undiagnosable, as weird as it sounds to say about a condition w/ such drastic symptoms for so many.

What it means to me is that celiac vs NCGI isn't much of a distinction.

How long have you been on the gluten challenge?

nvsmom Community Regular

ugh, I feel for you. 6 weeks is a long time, I hope it's not too bad for you.

From what I've read NCGI people have pretty much the same symptoms as celiacs except they don't have the intestinal damage. Either way, it's not good. :(

Good luck!

Melina89 Newbie

Hi Melina,

Gluten Intolerance (or NCGI, non-celiac gluten intolerance) doesn't often seem to be all that simple around here, but I get that it's easy to use that adjective at first.

Re the eczema - you should look into whether it might really be DH https://www.celiac.com/forums/forum/26-dermatitis-herpetiformis/ , the celiac skin condition.

A DH diagnosis = celiac.

With so many symptoms from the gluten challenge, if I were you, I think I'd try to get the info to the Dr asap, & perhaps get the appt moved up. Particularly since you weren't really gluten-free before the challenge, going by the 90% gluten-free statement.

(As an aside, it seems a little puzzling that your symptoms were elim'd or so reduced while only 90% gluten-free. Maybe some weeks were 100%? :unsure: )

To answer your main question, it certainly sounds like either celiac or a "non-simple" NCGI.

Yeah ...not *really* answering the question, but such is the state of celiac testing. There are patients w/ celiac who are currently undiagnosable, as weird as it sounds to say about a condition w/ such drastic symptoms for so many.

What it means to me is that celiac vs NCGI isn't much of a distinction.

How long have you been on the gluten challenge?

Thanks for your response. I'm seeing my doctor again next week but I just needed some reassurance!

By "90% gluten-free" I meant that I might eat 1-2 serves of wheat per week, often less. Since the elimination diet I haven't completely eliminated gluten, I've just been trying to find a level I can tolerate. I've been doing that for about a year, but it seems I tolerate less and less each time. I've been on the gluten challenge for a little over a week. The itchiness I was expecting, but not feeling ill!

I think I will get a referral for a dermatologist so I can rule out the DH.

Thanks again.

Melina89 Newbie

ugh, I feel for you. 6 weeks is a long time, I hope it's not too bad for you.

From what I've read NCGI people have pretty much the same symptoms as celiacs except they don't have the intestinal damage. Either way, it's not good. :(

Good luck!

Thanks! It's just so frustrating! I prefer gluten-free regardless but I'd really like to know I don't have celiac so I can enjoy the odd gluten product...

:)

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,893
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    RyanDunn
    Newest Member
    RyanDunn
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):




  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • JulieRe
      Hi Everyone,  I do appreciate your replies to my original post.   Here is where I am now in this journey.  I am currently seeing a Naturopath.  One thing I did not post before is that I take Esomeprazole for GERD.  My Naturopath believes that the decrease in the gastric acid has allowed the yeast to grow.    She has put me on some digestive enzymes.  She also put me on Zinc, Selenium, B 12, as she felt that I was not absorbing my vitamins. I am about 5 weeks into this treatment, and I am feeling better. I did not have any trouble taking the Fluconazole.  
    • Ceekay
      I'm sure it's chemically perfect. Most of them taste lousy!        
    • Rejoicephd
      Hi @JulieRe.  I just found your post.  It seems that I am also experiencing thrush, and my doctor believes that I have fungal overgrowth in my gut, which is most likely candida.  I'm seeing my GI doctor next week, so I'm hoping she can diagnose and confirm this and then give me an antifungal treatment.  In the meantime, I have been working with a functional medicine doctor, doing a candida cleanse and taking vitamins. It's already helping to make me feel better (with some ups and downs, of course), so I do think the yeast is definitely a problem for me on top of my celiac disease and I'm hoping my GI doctor can look into this a bit further.  So, how about you?  Did the candida come back, or is it still gone following your fluconazole treatment?  Also, was it awful to take fluconazole?  I understand that taking an antifungal can cause a reaction that sometimes makes people feel sick while they're taking it.  I hope you're doing better still !
    • Scott Adams
      I'm so sorry you're going through this—the "gluten challenge" is notoriously brutal, and it's awful to deliberately make yourself sick when you've already found the answer. For the joint pain, many people find that over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen can help take the edge off, and using heating pads or warm baths can provide some direct relief for the aches. For the digestive misery, stick to simple, easy-to-digest foods (like plain rice, bananas, and bone broth) and drink plenty of water and electrolytes to stay hydrated. It feels like the longest month ever, but you are doing the right thing to get a clear diagnosis, which can be crucial for your long-term health and getting the proper care. Hang in there; you can get through this! This article, and the comments below it, may be helpful:    
    • Scott Adams
      Daura Damm (a sponsor here) uses AN-PEP enzymes and filtering in their brewing process to reduce/remove gluten, and it actually tests below 10ppm (I've see a document where they claim 5ppm). 
×
×
  • 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.