Preparing For Testing. Need Advice On Diet & Self-Care

[CaliSparrow]

Hey folks,

This gluten-free journey started for me in October and it's been quite the roller coaster ride. I am going to see a gastroenterologist who specializes in Celiac on 1/15. I believe it would be prudent to genetic test first since Celiac can be ruled out with the genetic test and then I could consider it a wheat intolerance. Any advice there?

Also, I've been eating gluten for a week now. It's tough to go through. Any advice on how much gluten I need to eat? My appetite is suffering.

I'd love to know your different applications for self-care as well. My body is hurting pretty good.

Any advice you all can give would be most appreciative. There are plenty of people who are telling me there's no need to go through with it. I need to hear from the other side.

Thanks, Cali

[CaliSparrow]

NEVERMIND.

My husband just threw a fit about me being on gluten because he sees such a difference. He thinks there are more pitfalls in seeking answers through the medical community than in being resolute about staying gluten-free and watching my health improve despite the doctors.

Today begins my first day back on the gluten-free journey. I am looking forward to not wanting to hang myself.

Officially self-confirmed celiac.

[nvsmom]

Hope you continue to improve on the gluten-free diet... and welcome to the club.

[mushroom]

A genetic test can't really rule celiac out since there are other genes associated with celiac than the two commonly accepted genes; and it certainly cannot rule it in, so will do nothing to resolve the issue. I think your husband is probably right' You can mess around with doctors forever but if you are improving gluten free enough for him to notice it would seem you are on the right track. In the end, only you can decide whether a formal diagnosis is necesary for you, though and whether you are prepared to go through what it takes to get it.

[CaliSparrow]

It baffles me that before 1960, doctors diagnosed celiac by eliminating gluten from someone's diet, reintroducing it and noting a reaction. Now, everyone has to go through a myriad of tests which may be inconclusive.

Thanks for the correcting my misunderstanding of the genetic test. I would have been very bummed finding this out after the fact.

My heart goes out to everyone going through this process.