<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Dear List, 
Thanks to the original poster for this excellent summary. 

But please go get a large cup of tea and a hefty gluten-free muffin because 
this is a long response and YOU SHALL NEED SUSTENANCE in order to survive 
reading until the end.

"Gluten reaction" time, type, etc. is a compelling area of celiac 
awareness to me. I was first semi-diagnosed a little more than two years 
ago. A biopsy showed blunted villi & evidence of celiac, backed up by some 
bloodwork. After going gluten free (and feeling MUCH better, especially lots 
less tired) for a year I had another endoscopy checking for celiac and it 
was negative. But my gastro has not committed to anything more than, "you 
PROBABLY" have it.  

Of course to be SURE (since going GF for the rest of one's life is a big 
commitment, as you well know) I would have to consume gluten and get one 
more biopsy. If it's positive again, voila, it's celiac, and if it's 
negative, well, what? Only gluten sensitivity? Brief viral inflammation that 
has since passed? Has this been a wild goose chase? 

Thus far I remain gluten free. I have the hang of it. My family has 
adjusted. 

But topping all this off is the statement my gastro made last time I saw him 
which was, "Celiacs who are GF and consume gluten accidentally or otherwise 
are incorrect if they think they feel the reaction right away. The process 
simply doesn't work like that." He explained long-term inflammation, etc. He 
referred to other issues common to celiacs, esp. leaky gut, heartburn, GERD 
etc. that might cause a 'reaction.' 

I take such pronouncements by otherwise good doctors with the same LARGE 
grain of salt that I use when they said things like, "Cranberry juice 
doesn't help urinary tract infections." 

So I combine patient acceptance of solid western medical science with a 
holistic approach and am fortunate to feel good. I have to eat carefully to 
keep weight on, but it could be worse. I manage celiac by weaving together 
the bits of eastern and western wisdom that work for me. I realize everyone 
is different.

However...THIS got my attention:

> Everyone reacts differently to gluten. The longest
> gluten reaction was one year, two people had six
> months reactions and several had 2-5 months.   Then
> there were those who reacted for a few hours or a few
> days. Michelle Melyn-Rogovin on the Chicago Celiac
> Disease Program told a listmate that a gluten reaction
> usually lasts about 6-8 weeks.

Whaaa? I turn to the collective wisdom of the list. This has not 
been my experience at all...or at least I don't think so. Augghh, I'm 
confused. 

When you ingest gluten, how quickly do you feel effects? For how long? And 
wouldn't we react LESS severely once healed?

OK. I hope you enjoyed your tea and GF muffin. 

Thanks in advance and regards to all,
Patricia

Visit the Celiac Web Page at Http://www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/index.html
Archives are at: Http://Listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?LIST=CELIAC