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Following my post about biopsy results showing no signs of improvement,
I received eighteen replies.  These messages were very useful and gave
me tremendous encouragement, thank you to all who replied.  To summarise:

General conclusion was that I should give myself more time, although if
I am responding to the diet, this is a good sign.

3 people took one year to even feel better and the diarrhoea to abate. 1
of these suggested that sensitivities can be caused by lotions, shampoos
or toothpaste.

1 person said that it takes two years to heal.

1 person had a repeat biopsy after four months and this showed no signs
of improvement although they felt better.  After a few more months the
biopsy showed signs of improvement.

1 person had read that it takes six months to two years to heal.

1 person still had significant damage after 14 months on a gluten free
diet, a close relative took four years to show biopsy improvement.

1 person had a follow up biopsy after six months and was told that the
gastroentologist had said that there was a "little" improvement.  He
said that it would take years for the small intestine to heal since they
had probably had celiac's disease for years.  This person also the
stiffness in the hands and other joints as well which eventually went
away.

1 person had a similar problem whereby their stomach started gurgling
and experienced alot of gas churning around whenever they ate cerain
food, this can last a few days.  One suggestion was that I should
eliminate diary products from my diet as a large percentage of celiacs
are reported to be intolerant to milk proteins as well. Another was to
elimiate diary and soy.  A good book recommended was Neanderthin:
Http://www.sofdesign.com/neander/nmain.html
The author cured his own diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis . He
advocates eating meat, fruit and vegetables.

1 person suggested that I might be allergic to rice and corn gluten.

2 people suggested that I may be eating hidden gluten, although I doubt
this as I am very careful.

1 person suggested that I get tested for Crohn's disease.

On the subject of having severe pain in my hands when I get up in the
morning and after about five minutes they loosen up but my  fingers
ache, other people had similar symptoms :

4 people thought this could be rheumatoid arthritis which is linked to
celiacs disease.

1 person did not have painful hands but sore feet and takes higher doses
of calcium thinking its a bone problem.

1 person developed an arthritic-like pain in the joint of the right
index finger which improved somewhat when first starting on the gluten
free diet but came back (though not as bad). It was confirmed by the
gastroenterologist that celiacs disease and this could be linked.

1 person had a very progressive naturopath who diagnosed hidden viruses
and gave solutions to detox them out of the body: one
was Epstein Barr (which alot of people have heard of); another really
bad one is called coxsackie and is a strain of the polio virus. It
gets in the connective tissues and causes the arthritis like symptoms
described. As soon as this was removed,  all the arthritis symptoms went
away.

1 person developed bad pains in the arms after being on a gluten free
diet for three months.  They went to see a arthritis specialist who was
extremely rude and questioned if the person had celiacs disease and
prescribed steroids which were taken for two days and then reduced the
intake.  The pain has not returned since.

1 person suggested using glucosamine sulfate (an amino acid) for the
pain in my fingers.

1 person suggested aspirin or ibuprofen, to relieve arthritic pain.
Cortisone is very good but the long-range effects are scary, to put it
mildly. None of these are easy on the gut.

I had tests done for rheumatoid arthritis and am due to see my Doctor
this evening to get the results.

Thank you very much for your encouragement.

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