Got the test back from the docts

[nadinbrzezinski]

according to it well negative for celiacs.

Nevertheless there were inflammatory agents on it... so I suspect since all the symptoms are there when eating gluten, there will be an endoscopy in my future.

That said, after years of looking at why the heck I was having those bouts of diarrhea I have been following the diet pretty strictly over the last two weeks, and this is a record for not having to go to the bathroom, or having so much gas I am just in a cramp.

Yes, got a couple oops, damn starch in the salad dressing for example, or the sausage, leading to gas and cramping. So at this point... I really don't care what the lab says... the diet IS working.

I have found some gluten free cookies and bread mixes. Looking forwards to baking the bread tomorrow, and also a breakfast bar that will work for gaming convention\ snack time.

What can I say? Diabetes, asthma, celiac... I'd better not ask what else can be going on? Fun, fun, fun, when the body breaks apart... on the plus side... I don't fast any more, and Matzah? Nice knowing you...

By the way, found that Henry's has pretty much all these gluten free goodies. and for those who have an IPOD\ IPHONE I also found an app, which is essentially is a pretty good database of food products. It is called, "Is that Gluten Free?" I have found it to be invaluable at the supermarket.

I feel almost sorry for hubby. He loves pasta. So I guess I will get him the pasta he likes... oh and soon will learn how to cook Quinoa and a few other grains. So I am adventorous and all.

[Warpy]

1. If they picked up inflammation but no destruction of the lining

then it could be anything from garden variety IBS to Crohn's. The good news is that the test for celiac is specific and they've ruled that out and now you can go back to eating bread and pasta.

The good news is that your symptoms can likely be controlled by drugs and that you'll figure out what your triggers really are eventually.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. The test was done after I started the diet

and as brother explained, the body reverts to "normal" and all the antibodies go away once you are doing the diet fairly fast. If we really want to know I have to go back to actually eating gluten for three weeks or so, before repeating it. Otherwise, since it responded, it most likely is at the very least intolerance to gluten. OF course he said, talk to your doctor, might be a good idea to refer to a local gastro to rule out anything else.

If this is intolerance or the rest of it, this is in pretty good control.

And we were joking about why nobody does the MD education in this country the way it should. Celiacs is just diet, there is no profit there.

[marybourg]

2. Don't know how long you've been on the gf diet, but if you were

on it when the test was done, the antibody response would be absent (test would be negative). I hope you meant you were only gf AFTER you had the test. That said, the antibody test has a high rate of false negatives. If being gf helps, you probably should stay gf. There are very good gf rice pastas. My family actually prefers the rice pasta to the wheat ones. It's no longer difficult to find good gf food; the bigger problem is avoiding cross - contamination in restaurants, convenience foods, even those marked "gf", and in your own home if not completely gf. I hope you continue to feel better.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Brother told me that

and he said if you really want to be sure, you will have to go back to eating gluten for about three weeks. Given that it responded to diet most likely it is this, but of course always talk to doctor... He is the one who suggested the test anyway, after we talked about this... less than palatable subject over dinner during my birthday. He is a Gastro. He even was shocked that it was not tested since I did develop diabetes pretty young... genes or no genes... and sis does have some intolerance to gluten (or celiac also tested well after she's been on diet since she was a child, though in her case all but religious in following it. For me it is simple, I feel much better now... and have had no bout of diarrhea in a few weeks.)

He is the one who suggested it to begin with and reality is that it has responded to diet pretty well... I get gas if I eat something with a little gluten... damn they put it in places that you go... you got to be kidding me? Ahem shredded cheese comes to mind, at least some brands.

We were even joking about "learning" to cook Rice, and beans (truly those from a can, they are painful and there are pretty good brands out there anyway that are gluten free) and other specific grains.

Got some Quinoa to try the other day, and I can already cook a mean Mexican repertoire that has zero gluten in it anyway. Looking forwards to learning how to do certain curries. Oh and yes, got Fenster's 1000 Gluten Free Recipes and cannot wait for parents to leave so I can try a few "breads" in there. I know they will be denser, but some of them look actually pretty good, if work intensive. At least the recipes read as very good.

Now the only thing I need to find out is... do I really need a gluten free setting for the bread machine? No, not that I am lazy. It is just that much more time efficient, and the one with the setting is a monster. The other one without the setting is not that large.

[marybourg]

6. Some gf breads, Pamela's for example, use a "quick bread" setting

Bigger problem is that bread machine used for gluten bread should be cleaned very very thoroughly and perhaps have the pan replaced or first few breads eaten only by gluten eaters. there are very good gf forums, with very knowledgeable people, at Delphi and Icors.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. Been looking at machines

breadman umpty squat model has a setting for gluten free.

And since it will be for me, the first batch will be gluten free.

Hubby still will get his croissants... He loves them, local bakery does them... he gets them. I clean knife.

[Warpy]

5. No profit? That's where you're wrong

A huge industry has been built up for people who self diagnose, and celiac disease is one of the self diagnoses it loves the best.

Go into any store and start comparing wheat free alternative foods to the real thing.

If I were you, I'd talk to that doctor and tell him how long you'd been gluten free before the test and ask to have it repeated in a couple of weeks after you gorge yourself on all the things you'll miss terribly if you do have celiac.

If it comes back positive, you've just said goodbye. If it comes back negative, then you really do need to see a GI doc and get a diagnosis nailed down.

Good luck.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. For pharma there is no profit

reality is read labels and you find things that are gluten free and no that much of a hike in price, in fact none. Rice is rice is rice is rice... the same goes for beans and corn tortillas and chips.

The premium comes with specialty breads... and a few grains such as Quinoa.

Which are NOT mandatory either. I can survive pretty well on a Mexican diet, I mean the real diet not the American version of it. And if tom wants pasta, well that is easy. I cook it for him and I have something else.

It is a "bidness" only for those who insist on eating bread and actually buying the commercial things. The only reason why I want to see if I can make some bread that is gluten free is that I happen to like a good bread with a good cheese. But otherwise, I can say good buy to it as well.

I am lucky I live in a region of the country where getting "ethnic foods" that are gluten free and not priced for specialty is very possible.