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Hi,

I was pleased to hear from so many of you regarding my post asking how long
before I could expect to feel better since being diagnosed with Celiac two
months ago.

The response was positively overwhelming. I was going to attempt to include
snippets from many more of the responses that I received, but it would take
hours to compile. So, instead I've summarized and paraphrased the most oft
repeated advice:

Give up or at least cut back on dairy since many celiacs are lactose
intolerant because of the damage to the small intestine, where the lactase
(which allows us to digest lactose) is produced.

On this, someone said..."For some reason the place in the gut that reacts
negatively to the gliadin molecule in gluten is very close to the place that
deals with lactose and casein from milk products and also with sugars and
soy. That means that newly diagnosed celiacs, especially those who have had
the disease for a while, should not only avoid gluten, but should also avoid
milk products, sugars, and soy for at least three months when they first go
on a gluten-free diet."

Perhaps your GF diet is not as clean as you think, that somehow you  must be
unwittingly ingesting gluten. Many suggested possible contaminants, ie.
crumbs from the toaster, the butter dish, etc. Some people said that it is
common for celiacs to have other food allergies, ie. soy and dairy. That
person suggested that, for a two week period I eat basic, unprocessed foods
prepared in my own kitchen, and then add "GF" foods one at a time to gauge
reactions.

Many, many suggested L-Glutamine, calcium and B-vitamins.

As far as the length of time, boy did the times vary! One said she noticed
an improvement in 1 DAY, another said it's been 4 Y EARS on the diet and he
is still experiencing changes to intestinal tract. Most everyone agreed that
everyone heals at a different rate and therefore it depends on the
individual.

Everyone was supportive and encouraging. Thank you all so much for your
responses.

Deb
AKA A Reluctant Celiac
On this ("A Reluctant Celiac")  someone said, "Don't feel like the lone
ranger here. None of us chose this on purpose :)  And someone else said, "I
consider myself a reluctant celiac as well, because I wasn't desperately
sick, just annoyingly so."