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Hello friends,

I have been gluten free for over two years and finally went to a specialist
Friday because I've been having problems for a couple of months.  My symptoms
are the usual gas and cramping along with chronic yeast infections.  I think my
problem is probaly candidiasis but I don't know why I can't seem to get rid of
it.  However, there was a little blood in my colon so I'm having a colonoscopy
done in a few weeks.  Yes, it's scary that I could have something more serious,
but I doubt it.  My blood tests were fine, and I'm feeling a lot healther than I
was two years ago!

I'm writing for a couple of reasons, so I apologize for the length.  The first
thing is that since it was my first visit to a GI specialist (Duke University
Medical Center) I thought it might be interesting to add his comments to the
gluten challenge controversy.  In my case since he found blood in my colon, it
would be absurb for me to do a gluten challenge which I would be unwilling to do
anyway.  He said that he has seen other people with a similar history  to mine
and that he does not advise them to do the gluten challenge.  If a GF diet has
made them get better they should just stick to it.

I also showed him an article by Ron Hoggan about gluten and candidiasis.  Later
he made the comment that I can get better information from the Internet about
celiac disease than they have!  In my case, I was lucky that I found out and it
worked out for me to depend on myself to find information rather than the
doctors!

The other thing I want to let people know is that I think the reason I'm having
problems now is because I was in denial about being able to eat things with
canola oil and anatto (i.e. butter).  I would ignore the gas pain and tell
myself, well it's not really gluten so it can't really do any damage!  So now
I'm paying for it.  There may be other people who are having a similar
experience, so watch out!

Now I have a couple of questions.  I am still trying to figure out what to do
about my diet!  It's been over two months since I've had anything that could
cause celiac symptoms.  My theory is that it is candidiasis, but that should
have been eliminated by now.  I've had two doses of diflucan, plus a fairly
strict diet.  I'm planning to eventually go to an Aryuvedic doctor, but can't
get the appointment for a month!  I need to do something immediately before I
have the colonoscopy to get rid of the inflammation.  I'd be interested in
discussing this with anyone who has gone that route!  I have been a strict
vegetarian for over 20 years.

My second question is what to do the day before my test when I can only have
clear liquids.  Are there any GF vegetarian broths available!

Thanks again everyone.

Suzanne