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Hi List Members,

I appreciated all of your responses to my first E-mail to the list.  The
support and information was overwhelming.  I received over 40 replies.
I will try to summarize those here to the best of my ability.  Thanks
again.

I sympathize with those of you who told me you are experiencing symptoms
presently as you await lab tests or biopsies.  I want to tell you that I
admire  you for your courage to do so.   Some of you said you planned to
eat gluten for up to 6 months.  Ouch!  My personal choice at this time
is not to subject myself to any more torture by introducing gluten back
into my diet.  I have been attempting to eat gluten free since my
diagnosis in February 1998.  Unfortunately, my doctor never did any
medical testing while I was ingesting gluten.  My problem with gluten
sneaking in has been contributed to the learning process, such as
finding out that certain medications contain gluten. Also the
realization that hydrogenated oils are a culprit and many other
surprising discoveries.  Then there was the time that I went out to a
restaurant and ordered a plane Caesar Salad, dry, no croutons, pure
olive oil on the side.  I got mid-way through eating my salad and
realized that the cook had simply taken a pre-made Caesar Salad, and
attempted to rinse the dressing off and, picked out the croutons.  (I
found crumbs and dressing at the bottom).  My stories of how gluten
still manages to sneak in from time to time do go on and on.  It really
is a constant battle.  I do admire the people who said that since
diagnosis they have had only 1 or less slips.  That amazes me and makes
me wonder what your secret is and raises other questions in my mind.
Congratulations.

*The 9th Annual International Symposium on Celiac Disease to be held in
Baltimore, MD this August is primarily for health care professionals and
Doctors receive credit for attending although anyone can go.  I have
decided to pass this one up.  I was made aware of another alternative
conference coming up in September;
 CSA (Celiac Sprue Association), annual conference in Albuquerque, NM-
September

*Several people asked about my heart condition and whether there was a
relation to Celiac Disease.  I do not know the answer to this question.
I've read that Celiac Disease is actually quite rare, and so is my
W.P.W. heart condition so I'm walking around with two rare conditions
trying to get answers myself from the medical profession.  It is ironic
though to have heard from so many different people with W.P.W. symptoms
who also have Celiac Disease. Hummm.

*Many people described feeling like poison was running through their
system.  My doctor diagnosed Celiac Disease shortly after I told him I
felt like there was poison in my body.  I even made him take a stool
sample and check it for toxins.  This was after I had been on an
elimination diet for approximately 2 years and been to countless doctors
visits complaining of various symptoms.

*Several people said that they now throw-up immediately after ingesting
gluten, and advised me to eat gf and over time and I might too.  That
would sure help.  I was also advised to read labels more carefully.  I
am a label reader that is for sure.  Again, it is all part of a learning
process.  I would never intentionally go out and eat gluten as it is
poison to me and would never want to put my body through this on
purpose.  Thanks to those who could sympathize and relate to the fact
that we are human, and not perfect while we are still learning.

*Lots of people offered supports groups and organizations to join
including the following:

1)  Celiac Disease Foundation, 13251 Ventura Bl., Suite 1, Studio City,
CA 91604

2)  Subscribing to Gluten-Free Living, P.O. Box 105, Hastings-On-Hudson,
NY 10706

*Here is a summary of reactions, symptoms and effects on our bodies you
provided me: (not in any particular order)
Brain haze or Brain fog, memory loss, headaches, sluggish and weak, low
physical endurance, dehydration, sleepiness (some actually dose off at
inconvenient times), intestinal cramps especially during bowel
movements, gas, diarrhea, pains under the rib cage off to one side,
thoughts of possible tragic events and slight paranoia, dry mouth, itchy
nose, heart palpitations, anxiety, osteoporosis, scoliosis, blood in
stools, anger or aggression, mid-back pain, constipation, drippy nose,
sore lymph glands at the front of the neck, flu symptoms, joint pains,
chest pains, joint aches, heartburn, fainting, anger

*Suggested coping strategies and remedies included:

1)  Imodium

2)  Drinking lots of water

3)  Yoga & other related techniques such as;  Qigong (Chi Kung), Reiki,
Esoteric Taoist Yoga (bio-feedback type exercises)

4)  Meditation

5)  Metamucil (Suggested to use regular not flavored), 1 tsp. in a 6-8
oz. glass of water every half-hour

6)  Vinegar to help restore the ph balance (2 T apple cider vinegar in a
cup of water)

7)  Prune juice to hurry along the bad stuff

8)  Pepto Bismol

9)  Alaka Seltzer Gold (This one came up often, but I was told it is
somewhat hard to find)

10)  Homeopathic remedy-VERTRATRUM ALB 30C, 2 pills under the tongue at
once

11)  Glutamine (an amino acid), helps in digesting fats and sugars

12)  Probiotices ( a multistrain acidophilus-very powerful version,
regular strength was suggested not to be strong enough.

13)  Try to be more careful

14)  Make foods from scratch, use only fresh veggies and fruits

15)  Eliminate Dairy Products (I am no longer lactose intolerant
although initially I did have a slight problem with it)

16)  Licorice (DGL) I chew 2 tablets before eating or drinking acid
causing foods or beverages.

Thanks again for your support.  Keep in touch, and stay healthy.

Gina
(San Diego, CA)