kristionii

Hi

I've been on a gluten free diet for 2 months now. I've had both a positive and negative blood test, and an inconclusive endoscopy over the course of 1.5 years, and decided upon myself to go gluten-free to see if it made a difference. So far, I've only been sick once, during my 1st week doing gluten-free after I ate McDonalds fries :

I got incredibly sick right after dinner tonight, and I'm scratching my head. I had rice pasta with a slice of cheese, salad with ranch dressing, and a glass of coke (which I very very rarely drink). I looked at the Coke bottle and it said "caramel colour" on it. I know theres alot of debate surrounding caramel colour, and most people say its safe if made in teh USA or Canada (I live in Canada). And I've read others that say its NOT safe.

Has anyone else had any experience with this? I honestly can't figure out what made me so sick.

Maybe it's all the Halloween chocolate !

Thanks,

K.

Hello,

My journey started in May 2008 when my GI doctor gave me a transglutamine blood test as an afterthought to rule out gluten issues (he thought I have plain and simple IBS). He was shocked, as my blood test came out VERY positive. He said it was an unusually high number. He scheduled an endoscopy and told me to eat normal and get used to the idea that I will probably be on a gluten-free diet for life once I got the endoscopy results. In July 2008 I had the endoscopy and found out that it was inconclusive. He advised me to eat normal and enjoy all foods and get another blood test in a year. This past month, I had another transglutamine blood test, and it was normal (he said the numbers were getting close to the "borderline" range). Needless to say I'm so confused!!! He told me to just keep eating normal food, and not go gluten-free.

I went to my allergist to get my annual allergy testing, and on top of the usual seasonal suspects (ragweed, grass, etc), he found an allergy to oats, barley and rye, and highly allergic to flaxseed. His advice was to get off gluten completely. He also does a full-range of blood tests and everything is normal, but he found an autoimmune reaction of some sort, which he suspects is arthritis.

I really don't know what to do. My GI doctor said not to go off gluten, my allergist does, and my mom worries going off gluten will be "bad" for me.

I'm 27 years old, female, with an aunt who is positively diagnosed as celiac. My GI symptoms have gotten less severe over the last year, but have included, diaherria, constipation, bloating, and big weight fluctuations (up and down). I also have skin rashes of unknown origin, and am usually exhausted. My allergist said my skin pallor is pale and the dark circles under my eyes tell him my body isn't as healthy as it should be.

Anyhow, I have an appointment with my family doctor next week for a nutritionist referral if I decide I want to go gluten-free. Just looking for some opinions from people who have "been there before." The negative AND positive blood test, and inconclusive biopsy is what has really confused me.

Thank you, it is greatly appreciated it.

K

HI,

I had a positive transglutamine blood test back in May, and I finally had my endoscopy 9 days ago. My doctor commented that "everything looked really good and normal" when he went in, but the actual biopsy will confirm if I have Celiacs. Maybe I'm still in the early stages and now showing significant villi damage? After trying to get the biopsy results for a couple days, I found out he's on vacation for 3 more weeks! So I have no answers until then (although I know from all the members on the board telling me previously that positive blood test = celiacs).

I am still eating gluten until I get the final biopsy results (JUST IN CASE the results are inconclusive or he wants something else done). The last week or two I've noticed my symptoms have been non-existant and/or much better. My eating of certain foods has not changed. Sometimes I have had to run to the bathroom after eating a small bowl of pasta, or a sandwich. These last few weeks I've noticed a signifcant decrease in running to the bathroom, gas, etc. Do symptoms go through cycles? Is it possible to have a few good weeks and/or some bad weeks?

Last question: Is nausea a symptom of Celiacs? I had a peanut butter sandwich (with 2 pieces of whole wheat bread) and felt very nauseated afterwards, and I've had nausea after eating pita bread or other similar things. I wonder if I'm just overeating, or if its a symptom? Otherwise this week, I've been eating movie theatre nachos and restaurant pasta, without out the slightest stomach reaction. What is a gluten-challenge and would it be beneficial in this situation?

Sorry for the long-winded question ... I tend to overanalzye! Which is why waiting 3 more weeks for the biopsy results is torture for me!

Thank you

K

I'll definately discuss that article with my doctor if the result is (eek! negative).. thank you!

I'm definately one of those "planner" people - once I have my mind set, I want answers immediately so I can plan out my actions to move forward! Ahh if anything, waiting for this test result will teach me that I can't plan life!

Hi,

I'm new to the board, but in the same position. I had a transglutamine blood test done in May, which came out positive. I just had my biopsy (endoscopy) done yesterday, and my doctor remarked that everything looked very good from what he saw, and he was surprised by that. Of course I don't get the actual results for another week, but it sounded like he was saying he was expecting the results to be negative. I spent the last 8 weeks eating tons of "bad" food that I may never get to eat again (and gaining 10lbs in the process!) and emotionally accepting my new way of life ... only now to feel like I'm going to get a negative biopsy result. I'm so confused. I'm actually hoping for a positive biopsy result so I can accept it and move on with my life.

So it's not possible for a positive blood test to be wrong?

Thanks,

K

Hi,

I just got the results back from a lactose intolerance and gluten test (both blood tests). Definately lactose intolerant (knew that without a test!) and a big surprise - my Dr. told me I had sprue in my bloodwork, meaning my transglutamine blood test came out quite high (in his own words, not sure much about the medical terms). I always thought I had just lactose intolerance and IBS symptoms. He scheduled me for a endoscopy/small intestine biopsy in 1.5 months to "confirm" the blood test.

Is there any chance that the biopsy will come out negative and the blood work was a "mistake"?

He told me to eat everything normally because he doesn't want to affect the biopsy results, but I'm hoping the biopsy shows the blood work was wrong somehow. I know this sounds ridiculous! But I Loooooveeeeeeee bread/pasta/cereal, etc. etc. (Although I DON'T love how sick I've felt the last few years). And I'm feeling really overwhelmed at the thought of changing my life pattern surrounding food if the biopsy comes out positive.

Any help would be appreciated... thank you

K