Jim Swayze wrote:

>Maddy: I have active symptoms this very moment.  Like the other two times in 2002 and 2003, I ate gluten inadvertently and also I am stressed, have a virus, had too much alcohol (on Sunday evening), had tobacco (as recently as Thursday).  Perhaps just a coincidence but a huge one that all factors were there.  The only one was that I don't currently have a sunburn like the other two times.
>
>So I guess I take the Medprol corticosteroid since I'm only going to get worse at this point.
>
>
Symptoms meaning mouth ulcers, or throat closing up?  Throat closing up
is NOT repeat NOT a symptom
of celiac disease, it is a histamine-type allergy, such as the common
deadly allergy to peanuts.  This is a medical
emergency to be treated with antihistamines/adrenaline etc. I've
certainly never heard of steroids being
used for it, but I'm not a Dr.

Mouth ulcers should be clearing within a week by themselves, if you're
gluten free.  Do you have
intestinal symptoms, very-itchy rash, headache, depression?  All common
symptoms of celiac disease.
Was the alcohol in the form of beer (can be gluten-containing)?

N-Acetyl-Glucosamine (called N-A-G) is a supplement that latches onto
the gliadin protein and ushers
it out of the system so it doesn't cause problems.  It can make celiacs
less responsive to accidental
small ingestions of gluten.  That doesn't mean you can eat bread and
pasta, but will help you avoid
big flareups from tiny amounts.  I take it daily.

I've had this problem for about 10 years; my mother and both my sons
also have it.  Mine showed up
when I was 50, hers when she was 70, and my sons when they were 30.
Makes me wonder about
my granddaughters??? Obviously tends to run in families.

Is it possible that you have some other autoimmune problem complicating
this, such as lupus, RA, etc.?
(there is a long list)  The symptoms, diagnosis, and prescription don't
seem to have much in common.
IMHO a second opinion is a good idea here.

    Lynnet