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Dear listmates,
I thought I'd mention what I did after getting so much info from people. As
usual, went to the doctor. I located a gastrologist specializing in celiac.
I had an endoscopy last week and had 3 biopsies, 1 for heliobacteria for
ulcers, 1 for celiac and 1 for easophilic gastroenteritis. The last is a
pretty rare disorder but gastrologist thinks I may have it.
Was also blood tested for a variety of allergies, based on foods that
seemed to bother me.

My hands are still swollen and painful regardless of what I eat.
Gastrologist thinks this is due to allergic reactions, blood test for
rhematoid factor was negative in April. He will refer me to allergist once
all test results are back as he doesn't know what to do. (I like the fact
he admitted this.)

My diet consists of fresh veggies, fruit, chicken, nuts, rice - no other
grains.  I have eliminated nightshade vegetables, salt and don't use
processed foods. Sometimes I do stupid stuff like eat a bit of a food which
I know is no good, but I'm getting better with this.

Right now I'm not getting any worse re gastro problems but situation re
hands is worsening all the time. Sometimes my hands seem to swell up after
eating regardless of what I eat.  Morning also very painful.  Gastrologist
isn't positive that celiac is even my problem, which is why he checked for
other things. At this point I'd even be relieved to hear it was an even
more rare disease, provided that the condition is treatable, which
easophilic gastroenteritis apparently is.

I have stopped experimenting trying to make GF baked stuff with grains
until I get back my test results.  I guess I'm starting to see light at the
end of the tunnel, but it's sure been a long tunnel.

Dan Winters
Warsaw, Poland