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The symptoms that led to my diagnosis were stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, body/nerve tingling and burning and chills. It went away after about four days but led me to a gastro who did an upper endo and found I had marsh 3b. I did the blood test for celiac and it came back negative.  I have gone gluten free. In week 1 I had a flare-up that was similar to my original symptoms. I got more careful/serious. Now at the end of week 2 I had another flare-up. These symptoms seem to get more intense. My questions:  1. How do I know if I have celiac and not something else? 2. Are these symptoms what others experience from gluten?  When I have a flare-up it’s completely debilitating. Can’t sleep, can’t eat, can’t move. Body just shakes. I have lost 10 pounds since going gluten free in the last two weeks.

You've already identified the issue. You cannot have ANY gluten in your home EVER. It's not optional for everyone who lives with you to have a dedicated gluten free diet! And anyone who comes to visit you cannot bring anything gluten-containing into your home. All gluten containing items need to be thrown away, beauty/bath products included. All pots/pans, dishes, utensils need to go through the dishwasher. Anything too porous or delicate for the dishwasher needs to be thrown away and replaced. Your toaster needs to be thrown away and replaced. Your oven, stovetop, and all surfaces throughout your home (bedrooms and bookshelves too) need to be thoroughly washed. All of this needs to happen in the same day because you risk contaminating other parts of your home if you do only part of the job. There's no such thing as a "safe" amount of gluten in your home. Not putting your foot down means greater risks into the future for vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, damage to your thyroid, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and more.

Hello all! My life in the last five years has been crazy. I got married in 2020 at the age of 27, pregnant with our first child almost two months later, gave birth in 2021. We had another baby in April of 2023 and our last baby this March of 2025. I had some issues after my second but nothing ever made me think, "I should see a doctor about this." After having my last baby this year, my body has finally started to find its new rhythm and balance...but things started to feel out of sorts. A lot of symptoms were convoluted with postpartum symptoms, and, to top it all off, my cycle came back about 4m postpartum. I was having reoccurring migraines, nausea, joint pain, numbness in my right arm, hand and fingers, tummy problems, hives. I finally went to my PCP in August just for a wellness check and I brought up my ailments. I'm so thankful for a doctor that listens and is thorough. He ended up running a food allergy panel, an environmental respiratory panel, and a celiac panel. I found out I was allergic to wheat, allergic to about every plant and dust mites, and I did have celiac. I had an endoscopy done on October 3 and my results confirmed celiac in the early stages! I am truly blessed to have an answer to my issues. When I eat gluten, my brain feels like it's on fire and like someone is squeezing it. I can't think straight and I zone out easily. My eyes can't focus. I get a super bad migraine and nausea. I get so tired and irritable and anxious. My body hurts sometimes and my gut gets bloated, gassy, constipated, and ends with bowel movements. All this time I thought I was just having mom brain or feeling the effects of postpartum, sleep deprivation, and the like (which I probably was having and the celiac disease just ramped it up!) I have yet to see a dietician but I've already been eating and shopping gluten-free. My husband and I have been working on turning our kitchen 100% gluten-free (we didn't think this would be so expensive but he assured me that my health is worth all the money in the world). There are still a few things to replace and clean. I'm already getting tired of reading labels. I even replaced some of my personal hygiene care for myself and the kids because they were either made with oats or not labeled gluten-free. I have already started feeling better but have made some mistakes along the way or have gotten contamination thrown into the mix. It's been hard! Today I joked that I got diagnosed at the worst time of the year with all the holidays coming up. I will just need to bring my own food to have and to share. It will be okay but different after years of eating "normally". Today I ordered in person at Chipotle and was trying not to feel self-conscious as the line got long because they were following food-allergy protocols. It's all worth it to be the healthiest version of myself for me and my family. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little overwhelmed and a little overloaded!  I am thankful for this community and I look forward to learning more from you all. I need the help, that's for sure!

On the AIP diet, all processed foods are eliminated.  This includes gluten-free bread.  You'll be eating meats and vegetables, mostly.  Meats that are processed, like sausages, sandwich meats, bacons, chicken nuggets, etc., are eliminated as well.  Veggies should be fresh, or frozen without other ingredients like sauces or seasonings.  Nightshade vegetables (eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers) are excluded.  They contain alkaloids that promote a leaky gut and inflammation.  Dairy and eggs are also eliminated.   I know it sounds really stark, but eating this way really improved my health.  The AIP diet can be low in nutrients, and, with malabsorption, it's important to supplement vitamins and minerals.  

So I should not eat my gluten free bread?  I will try the vitamins.  Thank you all so very much for your ideas and understanding.  I'm feeling better today and have gathered back my composure! Thank you kitty kitty   I am going to look this diet up right away.  And read the paleo diet and really see if I can make this a better situation then it currently is.