Greg Butler wrote:
>
> Hi all, I had a curious experience this morning and I'm wondering if
> anyone else has had anything similar happen.<snip>


Hi Greg:

I've been Gluten intolerant since Jan 1, 1984. Yes it is possible to
develop symptoms at any time from birth to extreme old age. Sometimes
symptoms are very subtle and not associated with food for years. That
was the case with myself. I won't bore you with lots of details but I
developed severe symptoms seemingly overnight. Living in a 'very' rural
area of Northeastern Maine it took about a year and a half to get a
proper diagnoses and another two years to regain my strength after
losing 64 pounds in the first three months.

It became necessary to become a very well informed patient as most GP's
in the area were sketchy about details of treatment. Fortunately I've
always had Doctors who had enough confidence in themselves and me to
allow for lots of patient input.

My advice is learn to listen to your body. Dont wait until you devolop
extreme symptoms. Find yourself a Gastroenterologist who has Gluten
Intolerant patients. Generally the only treatment necessary is diet and
you are responsible for that. Most important read, read, read everything
you can get your hands on about Non Tropical Sprue, Celiac Disease,
Gluten Intolerance. Remember most of us are prone to anemia and need to
supplement B range vitamins.

My early symptoms were so subtle that I was able to mask them
compeletely. As my diet improved, especially since going "paleo", those
subtle symptoms become more noticeable whenever I 'fall off the wagon'.
You may have had symptoms for years and ascribed them to other causes.

Hang in there, relax, let your body talk to you and LISTEN.

Helen