New At This And Coping With Doubts, Second Thoughts And Increased Stomach Pain...

[Mica]

I tested through Enterolab and was found to have elevated IGA antibodies at 12 with less than 10 being normal, my TTG levels were normal but I also have one of the main celiac genes and a gluten sensitivity gene as well. I immediately went gluten free. But then a few days later my doctor asked me to visit a gastroenterologist with her group for further testing. I, however, had to return to eating gluten to test with him. I refused the appointment and continued eating gluten free, telling myself that the Enterolab results, along with my frequent constipation, heartburn, flatulence, eczema, hives and hypothyroidism were enough.

Two weeks later....I started having doubts and caved! I went back to eating gluten with the intention of scheduling an appointment with the gastroenterologist. I ate normally for 2 weeks and realized how bad I felt!!!

Frequent headaches, flatulence, constipation and stomach pain which I can only describe as feeling like my insides were swollen. It seems like I became much more sensitive to gluten after just 2 weeks of eliminating it from my diet. Is this possible? I am starting to feel like my mind is playing tricks on me.

I am gluten free again for 2 days now...but I worry about more doubts in the future.

Sincerely,

Mica

[firegazing]

  Mica said:

It seems like I became much more sensitive to gluten after just 2 weeks of eliminating it from my diet. Is this possible? I am starting to feel like my mind is playing tricks on me.

I'm not diagnosed, but yes--I think this is completely possible!

I spent 2 months gluten-free and when I started to eat gluten again, I got sick like you wouldn't believe! Nausea, diarrhea, hands and feet so swollen I couldn't walk or make a fist, strange rashes, intense brain-fog, and so on.

If you feel that you need a doctor's confirmation in order to believe in yourself, maybe it is a good idea to go ahead and gluten yourself up again so that you can get a diagnosis. That's what I'm trying to do right now. I want objective evidence of my troubles.

[ShayFL]

It sounds like you have your answer. But if you think you will live in "doubt" forever even though you are feeling better, then gluten up and get tested.

[Lockheed]

Okay I always refer to the frog in boiling water situation. I don't think you actually become more sensitive so to speak but your body has a more noticeable reaction for several reasons: 1) your immune system is no longer suppressed on a daily basis by the offending agent, so it is functioning better and can give a better reaction to attack and remove toxins from the body 2) because you now know what it feels like to feel well, you really notice when you feel bad. Like a frog if you slowly turn the heat up he'll sit in the water and boil to death, but if you throw a frog in hot water he'll fight to stay alive.