Lisa

I'd be willing to offer Patti as our test offering, if need be.

If you are new to the diet and need to dine out, I would recommend buying the gluten free dining cards from:

www.triumphdining.com

They come in multi languages and it can be essential for newly diagnosed people with Celiac, dealing with foreign language restaurants. I used them and found them effective.

I understand that there are some apps that can be bought that may do the same.....but, I still like the written word and people contact

In February of this year I was "diagnosed" with Celiac disease based on a positive ttG IgG. My doctor said this result was enough to make her convinced I had celiac disease and she said I should start on a gluten-free diet, which I did. I have been following a gluten-free diet for the past 8 months, and have not intentionally eaten any gluten, although I suspect that some has snuck in here and there when I am not aware. My symptoms were never extreme. The reason I was initially tested was that I was having inflammation of muscles in my leg, and my chiropractor recommended that I be tested. I do have stomach issues (have lived with these for years) and migraines, and various other stuff that can all be part of celiac. But nothing delibilitating. Of course, now that I am aware of celiac disease, I have been reading gluten-free cookbooks and other sources and feel like living a gluten-free life is the right path for me. I also know that many people with celiac disease don't tolerate dairy or other types of foods.

Recently I asked my doctor for a referral to a nutritionist to see whether I could improve my diet further and find out whether other foods were causing me to have stomach cramping, bloating, etc. She surprised me by saying "you should have an endoscopy to find out whether you have celiac disease". This is a huge surprise to me, since I've been going under the assumption that I DO have celiac, since this is what she told me 8 months ago.

I have requested a consultation with a GI doc to review my history before I undergo an invasive and possibly unnecessary procedure. I would love to have feedback from this group on any questions I should be asking. I have some already:

-In order for the endoscopy to be meaningful, wouldn't I have to start eating gluten again? for how long?

-Is it normal for someone with celiac to still experience some GI discomfort like bloating, cramping, even when on a gluten-free diet? (I have no idea what a "normal" stomach feels like)

-How do people figure out whether they have intolerance to dairy/corn/other foods besides gluten?

-Should I have more blood screening? What about genetic testing?

(I am also concerned about my kids, who are 5 and 8 years old, especially the 8-year old, who had chronic stomach aches and a rash on her elbows and knees until she stopped eating gluten.)

Basically, I feel like I have so much evidence that I have celiac disease, but I don't know whether I am just looking for pieces to fall into place. Any advice/comments welcome!!!

As with you, I see no reason to reintroduce gluten for the satisfaction of your doctors for further diagnosis, after you have been gluten free for eight months. It sounds a bit counter productive to me, with no assurance for accuracy.

You have had a positive dietary response, a reaction to gluten and dairy can also be an issues (it can be temporary or otherwise). Combined with positive blood work - you're part of the club, imho.

It also appears that you have a strong family history. As you mentioned, you children appear to be symptomatic. I would recommend that you have your children's break out tested at the time for DH - dermatitis herpitaformus. It too can confirm an intolerance to gluten, with a skin manifestation. A diagnose with children is important because it helps deal with the school system to meet their needs.

Sounds like you're on top of things. So go forth and educate your doctors.

Do you guys think biscuit is weird word to use as a sexual euphemism?

Is Patti getting a biscuit?

Hey Padds...gettin' a little bit nervous with a total post count like this 19,968?

You should be !

My doctor is a GI doctor. I told him that, after a positive blood test, I'd try the diet. I don't have good insurance, so doing the endoscopy and biopsy would cost me a small fortune. He's known in the area for doing really good work.

If you have a positive blood test, you have Celiac. And there is no need to an endoscopy exam.

How diligent are you on the diet? It can be pretty complex. "And many people, I have talked to, don't take it very seriously."

They're stupid people, don't be one.

Hi!

I'm new to this...2 weeks since my blood diagnosis. I really thought, "well, just clean out the kitchen and pantry and go gluten-free...sure, it'll be tough, but you can do this."

Famous last words.

I'm overwhelmed and feel pretty alone. My doctor didn't just cut out gluten, but soy, dairy, nuts, nut flours, corn and oats because of Hashimoto's thyroid and latex allergies (no avocado, celery, fig, kiwi, etc).

As you should be overwhelmed. It is over whelming! But, can be easily fixed.

May I ask what kind of doctor diagnosed you? I'm not a doctor, but I would assume that your doctor would recommend removing gluten and dairy from your diet first. See how that goes for a month or two and if issues continue, go soy free....a month or two. Well, you get my drift.

You may have been dumped on a bit heavily. And I am not familiar with any recommendations for Hashimoto's, but many others here have.

And a great welcome!

dawn....

Cookin' me up some caramel apple butter right now.

Yum. Do you ship? Or do I have to come and get it...Oh, Oh, Oh, I can do that.

Where do you eat when you're at school, in an apartment? A dorm? The food place on campus (so not CC free)?

It could be your body is still trying to get better. If so, then its best just to wait it out i'm afraid.

Yes. Are you in your own place where you can be careful about what you eat and it's preparation?

If you have a clinical diagnosis, the college needs to meet you needs, by either offering you personal, clean space in the cafeteria or supplying you with gluten free options.

It sounds like you're in your own place or a shared apartment. Cross contamination with roomies is a large concern?

Also, as mentioned...it might take a while of 100%attempt at gluten free and dairy free to feel the benefits. Healing takes time, just as damage takes time.

You're smart about a food journal. Do you have a shared toaster, or check your makeup,lipstick, lotions, shampoos...anything that can get into your mouth.

Sounds like you are on a good track, but finding some missing pieces. That's a good thing. And be balanced, with fruit, grains, proteins and starches.

AND being home, is another lesson. Hope you feel better soon.

I like lots of their things, however the gluten-free oreos and donuts make me very ill. Be warned. Stay away. No fun.

You're not saying that they are not gluten free, just that you have a reaction to an undisclosed ingredient? YES?

I thing their donuts are drop dead awesome. I eat them frozen.

Take this test to your doctor:

The following are the celiac specific blood tests:

Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgA

Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgG

Anti-Endomysial (EMA) IgA

Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA

Deamidated Gliadin Peptide (DGP) IgA and IgG

Total Serum IgA

I would get that response when I consumed dairy products, in the beginning....just a thought. Try that simple elimination for two weeks and reintroduce, in three to four week. I bet it will be gone. I hope

You may find this of interest:

Open Original Shared Link

I just read a book Healthier Without Wheat, and it says, that celiac is just one form of gluten intolerance, and not necessarily the most serious since some other froms can be very damaging to the body as well.

Yes, Gluten Ataxia can effect the brain and/or the nervous system, and DH a form of gluten intolerance can effect the skin. Celiac Disease generally effects the small intestines.

....And it's all gluten related.

OK, I know you were wanting stuffing ideas but I just need to talk about pumpkin pie

The first year or two, my mom, the chief cook at Thanksgiving, just poured a bit of the pie filling into a custard cup and baked it like that. (If you follow the recipe on the back of the Libby's can of pumpkin, it's already gluten free).

At one point, I just poured a pie's worth of filling into a pie pan (sprayed with Pam) and cooked it till it passed the done test. Made another pie using a store bought crust. The crustless pie went first . . . had to fight people off to make sure that my daughter got some . . . everyone was looking for ways to reduce calories or cut carbs. Who knew?

Yup...crustless PP is always a hit here!

Hi again everyone I just made an appointment with a gastro Dr for more tests but I can't see him until the end of next month. Just a question has anyone been gluttened by pool water? I went for a swim in my local pool that contains chlorine and I accidentally swollowed a small amount of water. In half an hour I felt very sick with ab pain and diarrhea. It took several hours to feel better.

Has anyone had experience with this? I notice with this illness I have become a bit of a hypochondriac sort of

reacting with anxiety to everything. Thanks.

Gluten, probably not, but bacteria could be a likely issue. Public pools are iky. Not all roads lead to gluten.

Please check in after your doctor's appointment.

This will be my first gluten free. Not sure how supportive my hubby will be, when I asked if he would figure out a gluten free stuffing, he just ignored my need and said there wasn't any. He loves to cook for family gatherings, but not if I have a special need. So I need easy ideas I can cook.

Okay...here are some choices:

Rice and sausage stuffing/in turkey

Gluten free cornbread stuffing/in turkey

Separate gluten stuffing in a pan

Let him do his own thing, and cook a Cornish hen for yourself.(a mini-me)

There will be many recipes that will be offered here for Thanksgiving. Maybe he might like one, but maybe not....

New holidays are hard sometime.

Anyone know if vicks is safe? I mean the vaporub not the lozenges etc. I have a bad cold right now..nervous to take anything for it but wanted to use vaporub for it. Or even if it wasn't safe for application because of possible contamination..do you think it's safe to sniff the jar? lol I don't THINK gluten carries in vapor?

I can't imagine that Vick's Vaporub would be a gluten concern. Feel better soon.

Vicks VapoRub ointment regular, active ingredients - Camphor 4.8%, Eucalyptus oil 1.2%, and Menthol 2.6%.

...just maybe

And maybe..

I am new to the forum and have learned so much already. Thank you to all who have shared their experiences and knowledge I have a question about a gluten challenge: Does anyone know if 4 weeks of eating gluten light would lead to a false negative on biopsy?

I have a positive antibody test (Ttg IGA) and was advised by the allergist that ordered the test to go gluten free. This was approximately 4 weeks ago. I went gluten free but not strictly so. I ate many items which may have been cross contaminated as well as eating out with friends on numerous occasions. In reality it was more like I was eating gluten light. My symptoms improved greatly, but I still had some residual pain. I called my allergist and she referred me to a GI doc. At the initial appointment, the GI says he wants to do an endoscopy. I told him I had been off gluten for a month and asked if I needed to start eating it again before the endoscopy. He said yeah, go back on it for 7-10 days. But that just doesn't seem like a adequate amount of time. Any thoughts? Any questions I should ask the GI before the endoscopy? Thanks in advance for any suggestions or commnets.

Welcome Blevois.

I think that the length of this thread may be an indication that there is no clear answer to your question. You asked ...and we are just FULL of opinions. You received some good answers.

With positive blood work and success (not full success) going gluten "lite", I would think that you can conclude that you have Celiac Disease, or a pretty conclusive issue with gluten. As many have mentioned, the endoscopy exam may not concentrate on the effective areas and may be inconclusive, regardless of your gluten intake. But you have two out of the three (4?) criteria for Celiac.

The endo exam can also look for the level of damage due to Celiac, as well, check for other intestinal issues that can create issues. I kinda feel it's a good thing when there has been a history of digestive issues. A base-line endo is good.

Do what you feel is best for you and when you're done with the endo, go as 100% as you are able and document your recovery.

I look forward to hearing from you again.

I eat there (Panera) frequently without issue. But, I forget sometime to order my soup without croutons. They always give me a new bowl of soup without a problem.

They will also give you a notebook with the current ingredients, if you forget what you can order. All gluten will be listed.

Are you guys watching this space jump - streaming live on Discovery? It's insane!!!

I do not have celiac disease, but I recently discovered I am allergic to most grains. I have been on a gluten free diet for about 3 weeks now and am feeling much better in countless ways. One thing I have noticed, however, is that alcohol seems to affect me much more. My tolerance seems to have gone out the window. I had a few glasses of wine a few nights ago and got blitzed. Has anyone else found this to be so, or am I imagining this?

YES! It's a well documented phenomena around here.