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I am a bit confused and afraid of the Coeliac

Bella33355 profile image
8 Replies

Hi everyone, will try to cut it to the chase, I have been having loots of health issues during my life which come and go, The doctors used to find inflammations as a root cause or nothing serious, but after 30 I was diagnosed with osteopenia, I used to have terrible back pain, then I was diagnosed with lactose intolerance since I had diarrhoea, but after cutting the dairy products a year or two later I started to have sever stomach cramp which used to come and go with or without reason. Then I found out that lots of medicines contain lactose, but unfortunately every now and then I have to take pills, so you can imagine my state. Since last September(over a year now) I have been having tons of gases during the day(flatulence) I can't even plan to switch to onsite work (this is one of the main reasons, too). A month ago I finally found a doctor who asked me to undergo a FOX blood test which is a check for lots of food intolerances, (I had a negative gluten tolerance test previously). So this test came as a huge surprise, I discovered that I can't digest any type of bread, except cornbread, and lots of other foods together with gluten-consisting ones.

My question is how do you tackle this gluten-intolerance thing, for example, okay I'm not going to eat any bread or processed foods, What about medications, How do you choose your medications? The country where I live is not gluten-friendly, I mean it's a huge challenge to find gluten-free food here not to mention medications.

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8 Replies
Angel25 profile image
Angel25

Corn is still a gluten just less parts per million. It's okay but still can be a filler as that adds weight if in chips or bread with sugars. Try fresh food like vegetables and fruits. Corn fattens cattle so think about that. Try finding alternatives when available. You may want to order if you have privacy. I understand country may not be best if you are in one without options or would be difficult if a country which I've read before someone could not let people know or she would be harmed/killed. So that was extreme intolerance. I hope you are in better circumstances than that note I read years ago from another. Lately Cassava feels better than corn. Try one at a time once can obtain gf flours or items. About half gf people develop dairy or peanut aversion. But if dairy removed from diet then get dairy or beans/protein added you may notice gas issues. Coconut water/milk works well. But I didn't get dairy for several months caused gas later when I reintroduced should not be mistaken for allergy but was that we lose our gut flora balance or enzymes can affect us. Good luck.

Bella33355 profile image
Bella33355 in reply to Angel25

Thanks for the advice will look into Cassava thing find out more about it and whether I can buy it locally.

cranberryt profile image
cranberryt

Since you have had so many issues, I would maybe try an elimination diet. It’s a very strict diet of the safest foods. Do that for a couple weeks the. start to add foods back in slowly to see what foods are making you feel bad. Don’t add gluten back in since you already know that’s bad. Does your country label allergens on food labels? Ours says wheat in bold whenever it has gluten. If not, search for a list of gluten-related ingredients so you can avoid those. You will basically eating meats, fruits and vegetables and the rice and corn products. Fir things like bread, you may have to make your own if you cannot get them in your country. Though I will say that gluten free bread products don’t taste great. If you can find gluten free flour with xantham gum in it, you can make most anything at home that needs flour. My diet now is a lot of eggs, chicken and rice. I also have colitis which limits how much fruit and veg I can eat. As for medication, hopefully your pharmacist can tell you what ingredients are in your specific medicines.

Narwhal10 profile image
Narwhal10

Hi Bella33355,

I am so sorry to read all you have been experiencing. I read that you are in Armenia. Make your diet simple - eat meat, fish if you can eggs, vegetables, fruit. If you are okay with rice or potatoes, only you will know.

Like cranberryt states elimination diet. How you react and tolerate food is different from me.

😘

Researchfan profile image
Researchfan

Hi Bella33355.

Have you been tested for coeliac disease? The igA anti-ttg test?

If coeliac has been ruled out then yes Start at the beginning and keep it simple. You will discover what foods are best that way for you. I agree with what the others have said. An elimination diet might be best.

1 - 2 weeks few foods diet will tell you whether it makes a difference. The least intolarant and allergenic foods diet is usually lamb and rice. Or chicken and rice?

Avoid milk, cheese, soya, nuts, beans, eggs, wheat, barley, rye, Oats, corn, white potatoes especially for a week.

Only have cooked food. Only do it for a week or two and keep a food and symptom diary.

If no change it’s not diet related. If feel better, reintroduce 1 food at a time. If symptoms come back avoid that food and try another.

It’s trial and error but this really is the gold standard to learn which foods intolerant or tolerant.

Regarding the intolerance testing for IgG while useful and interesting, this is not scientifically valid as it is far more complicated when it is the immune system reacting to foods. The IgG antibody is part of the adaptive immune system and “remembers antigens”. If your test shows a lot of ‘reactions’ it is representative more likely of a leaky gut. And what you have become tolerant of rather than intolerant. Fix your gut health as you are now trying to do and you won’t react to the foods. The elimination diet will help. When you avoid all the foods on your list it should only be for a short time otherwise you risk nutrient deficiencies. Ideally you would have the help of a dietitian or nutritionist.

Bella33355 profile image
Bella33355 in reply to Researchfan

Hi Researchfan your advices really make sense , I am on my way to the elimination diet and I already have a clue which foods push my gut’s buttons let’s say. That’s interesting to read your opinion because I have already done a smiliar research and found out whatever you said was true regarding the intolerance test! In 2 weeks I am going to find out whether I have coeliac desease or not.

Beginning from tomorrow a dietician is working with me but her diet or whatever she wrote for me makes sense for those who need to lose weight, I was a bit confused asked her to read my test file again and tweak the diet but again the reply was somehow generic, I guess that was a waste of money I have to create an ilimination diet by myself if she doesn’t tweak it i the end.

penelope2 profile image
penelope2

Hi it must be very difficult for you. If there are nutritional therapists in your country then I would advise getting their advise. Have a test for different food types that are causing a problem. I tested positive for rice! Which is in most gluten free products, plus dairy, soya and corn was problematic too. They can guide you through a healthy balanced diet while avoiding all your problem foods plus recommending supplements that can help long term. In Britain we have BANT that can advise therapists that have knowledge in this specific area you need.

Bella33355 profile image
Bella33355

appreciate your advice yes I have already started working with one, but unfortunately she is more focuse on weight loss diets although I had told ger that she needed to write a balanced diet for me who has different intolerances.. I have to figure out already by myself what to eat and how to balance.

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