Reintroducing gluten into diet

[Mellie608]

I was told I was gluten sensitive by a homopathic doctor. I went gluten free for 30 days. I want to reintroduce it into my diet for I do not believe it is celiacs and I am going to be living in a new country for half a year and want to enjoy the food (the trip was planned before I found out about this diet restriction). Anyway I went gluten free and was only glútened once by beer boiled hot dogs. After eating them I was incredibly tired and had the chills. After eating the gluten now I am not getting tired right away and don’t feel sick. I never felt sick or or tired or had many stomach issues before the dr told me this gluten stuff so I am confused if this is just my body readjusting or if this is a real problem that I should see a real doctor about. I went to the homopathic dr due to chronic rashes caused by inflamatoon . I just don’t understand how I am suddenly having these symptoms from gluten when these problems have ~never~ Been a problem in the past. Thank you for help

[kareng]

6 hours ago, Mellie608 said:

I was told I was gluten sensitive by a homopathic doctor. I went gluten free for 30 days. I want to reintroduce it into my diet for I do not believe it is celiacs and I am going to be living in a new country for half a year and want to enjoy the food (the trip was planned before I found out about this diet restriction). Anyway I went gluten free and was only glútened once by beer boiled hot dogs. After eating them I was incredibly tired and had the chills. After eating the gluten now I am not getting tired right away and don’t feel sick. I never felt sick or or tired or had many stomach issues before the dr told me this gluten stuff so I am confused if this is just my body readjusting or if this is a real problem that I should see a real doctor about. I went to the homopathic dr due to chronic rashes caused by inflamatoon . I just don’t understand how I am suddenly having these symptoms from gluten when these problems have ~never~ Been a problem in the past. Thank you for help

I think those types of “ doctors” tell a lot of people they are gluten sensitive.  It’s the current fad. The good thing about these types of diagnosis is that, because they are not based in medical or scientific fact, you don’t have to follow them when it is inconvenient or not fun.  Have fun on your trip.  

 

[cyclinglady]

If you still suspect celiac disease, ask your medical doctor for a celiac blood panel.  Keep in mind that the antibodies tests will only work if you have been consuming gluten daily for 8 to 12 weeks (conservative figures per University of Chicago).  

Celiac disease has been compared to an iceberg.  Since the genes for the disease were identified, they know that only 20% of the population has been identified.  “Under the water” are 80% who have yet to be identified.  Easy for some “doctors” to recommend going gluten free as a cure for many ailments.  It often works and they are considered heros.  But if possible, it is best to get a diagnosis.  My hubby got the same poor advice from two real medical doctors some 20 years ago.  The gluten-free diet worked.  Now we do not know if he actually has celiac disease because he refuses to go back on gluten to get tested.  (Can you blame him?).  He will tell you that I get WAY more support from family, friends and yes, medical.  My doctors are quick to research new issues because I have a firmly established diagnosis.  I am taken seriously!  I know that because of medical ignorance (still) and financial constraints, many of our members have struggled to get a diagnosis. Like my hubby, the end goal is feeling better, but a diagnosis still is best in my personal opinion.  

Have fun on your trip, but keep in mind that you actually might have celiac disease.  Consider testing in the future if your symptoms come back.  

[Ennis-TX]

You could eat gluten for the next 8-12 weeks daily then go get a celiac blood panel done.....Could the rash be DH?
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[GFinDC]

7 hours ago, Mellie608 said:

I was told I was gluten sensitive by a homeopathic doctor. I went gluten free for 30 days. I want to reintroduce it into my diet for I do not believe it is celiacs and I am going to be living in a new country for half a year and want to enjoy the food (the trip was planned before I found out about this diet restriction). Anyway I went gluten free and was only glútened once by beer boiled hot dogs. After eating them I was incredibly tired and had the chills. After eating the gluten now I am not getting tired right away and don’t feel sick. I never felt sick or or tired or had many stomach issues before the dr told me this gluten stuff so I am confused if this is just my body readjusting or if this is a real problem that I should see a real doctor about. I went to the homeopathic dr due to chronic rashes caused by inflamation . I just don’t understand how I am suddenly having these symptoms from gluten when these problems have ~never~ Been a problem in the past. Thank you for help

Hi Mellie,

It would have been better to go to a GI (gastroenterologist) for celiac testing before going gluten-free.  You have to be eating at least some gluten for 12 weeks for the blood antibodies testing and 2 weeks for the endoscopy.  The celiac disease panel has several different antibody tests including DGP-IgG, DGP-IgA and EMA and total serum IgA.

Celiac disease is a serious condition and can cause very bad health problems.  It is worth while to know if you have it before going on a long trip where you may not be able to get safe gluten-free food.

Celiac disease symptoms tend to get worse the longer we go untreated (eating gluten).  Celiac disease can start at any age in life from very young children to older people.  It depends on when the immune system is triggered.  And that immune system triggering is still speculation.  It could be a virus that causes it or something else.

When new people go off gluten for a while and then start eating it again, it sometimes causes even worse symptoms than before.  That's why we encourage people to get tested before stopping gluten.

If you have NCGS (non-celiac gluten sensitivity) you won't have the same immune reaction that people with celiac disease do.  And you won't show up on tests because there are no tests for NCGS yet.  NCGS doesn't damage the gut like celiac does.

If you have celiac disease the immune system attacks the gut lining and impairs the ability to absorb nutrients.  That is called malabsorption.  Celiac can cause fatigue, pain, vitamin deficiencies, infertiliity, hair loss, joint pain, skin rashes, weak bones, insomnia, thyroid problems, and even brain lesions.  And a host of other symptoms and health issues.  So it is pretty important to know if you have it.

In celiac, our bodies immune system reacts to a protein called gluten in wheat, rye, and barley, and sometimes oats also.  Since it is an immune reaction, even tiny amounts of gluten can cause a reaction.  And the immune reaction can go on for weeks to months.

There is a "Newbie 101" thread pinned in the "Coping with" section.  It has some good info in it.

You might be able to search and find a local celiac support group in your area, or a doctor who specializes in celiac disease.  Many doctors don't follow correct diagnostic procedures for celiac, so it helps to find one who is up to date.

You mentioned readjusting to gluten.  A person without a gluten reaction should not have to readjust to eating it.  And they shouldn't notice a change from not eating it either.

[Awol cast iron stomach]

If you remove gluten from the diet and reintroduce it and you are sensitive it is likely you will notice symptoms when it's  reintroduced. Fatigue is common and you are fortunate not to have more symptoms. You would consistently have fatigue after consuming  gluten. 

 While you were eating it regularly you were consistently inflamed and your body was manifesting regular exposure as a rash. You may not even know all your symptoms until you are off gluten entirely and this includes what we refer to as cross contamination.

In my opinion , If you are sensitive, are off gluten (strict like a celiac) including avoiding cross contamination for a significant amount of time then reintroduce full on gluten your body will let you know in no uncertain terms. 

If you want to imbibe overseas and you state you don't believe it's celiac then you know what you want. If you do so and you show further symptoms heed the homeo path's hunch and Karen's advice to get a celiac panel and screening for NCGS when you get back after consistently eating gluten.

However my question is did the rash go away or begin to fade (less pronounced) after you went gluten-free after homeopath told you are sensitive?  If it did, then take note of  it it returns once gluten is a regular in the diet .

K respect Karen as a veteran on the forum she is very knowledgeable\helpful. However as ideal as gold standard diagnosis is not all of us achieve that status. I spent 20 plus years misdiagnosed and often found more help from alternative non western Dr than I did with western MD's. I have known something was wrong since she 5 and all went down hill in my 20's, worse in 30's, downright terrifying in my 40's misdiagnosed.

I read- you want to go overseas and enjoy a gluten containing diet. 

If you come back and decide to be tested and need us we on the forum will be here when you return if you need us.

[Awol cast iron stomach]

The website or something on my end is failing and I am unable to reply

[cyclinglady]

57 minutes ago, Awol cast iron stomach said:

If you remove gluten from the diet and reintroduce it and you are sensitive it is likely you will notice symptoms when it's  reintroduced. Fatigue is common and you are fortunate not to have more symptoms. You would consistently have fatigue after consuming  gluten. 

 While you were eating it regularly you were consistently inflamed and your body was manifesting regular exposure as a rash. You may not even know all your symptoms until you are off gluten entirely and this includes what we refer to as cross contamination.

In my opinion , If you are sensitive, are off gluten (strict like a celiac) including avoiding cross contamination for a significant amount of time then reintroduce full on gluten your body will let you know in no uncertain terms. 

If you want to imbibe overseas and you state you don't believe it's celiac then you know what you want. If you do so and you show further symptoms heed the homeo path's hunch and Karen's advice to get a celiac panel and screening for NCGS when you get back after consistently eating gluten.

However my question is did the rash go away or begin to fade (less pronounced) after you went gluten-free after homeopath told you are sensitive?  If it did, then take note of  it it returns once gluten is a regular in the diet .

K respect Karen as a veteran on the forum she is very knowledgeable\helpful. However as ideal as gold standard diagnosis is not all of us achieve that status. I spent 20 plus years misdiagnosed and often found more help from alternative non western Dr than I did with western MD's. I have known something was wrong since she 5 and all went down hill in my 20's, worse in 30's, downright terrifying in my 40's misdiagnosed.

I read- you want to go overseas and enjoy a gluten containing diet. 

If you come back and decide to be tested and need us we on the forum will be here when you return if you need us.

Great points!  

I wish there was testing available for those who have been gluten free for years.  I would sign my hubby up.