<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Hi everyone, When I posted my request, I ask about congenital malformation and also if people felt more assertive since GF. Two subjects that had nothing in common, except that they both preoccupied me at the same time. From your answers, I understand that I am not the only one to have experienced a change in my way of dealing with others. Someone pointed out the link between autism and CD, and that is true that sometimes I felt that I was hiding or trapped inside, especially as a kid. As for the congenital malformation, I wonder. It is now proven that a lack of folic acid before and during pregnancy can cause some malformations. Could it be something like this, or is it completely a coincidence? If any of you encounters more information on the subject, please let me know. So here are the summary of yours answers: _________________________ Hi- you sound like you have a great attitude. Yes, I found my mood changed when I went gf. I was just thinking about it today, that people take me more seriously. I think it was because I was depressed before, and now have a more positive attitude that people are more likely to respond to. Does that connect with what you've experienced? Best Wishes, _______________________ I don't think celiac disease has anything to do with congenital malformation. They are each separate. Celiac disease is genetic. We have this gene when we are born and something triggers it. In my case, I think it was a virus, plus stress. ________________________ Johanne, I have a 22 year old daughter who is congenitally deaf in one ear. She is outwardly normal, ie her ears look ok but she is totally deaf in one ear since birth. The doctors could not say what had caused it and she has grown up, probably like you, compensating for it and leading a normal life, as long as you are not on the wrong side of her in a car where she finds it particularly difficult. I am a lifelong coeliac, diagnosed at about seven years old, I am now 55, and your e-mail interested me because my daughter has recently had some problems with sores on her hands and arms which got really bad. When she went to the doctors I told her to mention that I was coeliac, thinking, of course, of DH but a blood test came back negative. This is probably all co-incidence but unless someone collates all the information, the facts will never emerge. Good luck to you and stick with the diet. I only get bad tempered with people who say things like "just have a little then it can't hurt" _____________________ my son gets very aggressive if he eats gluten, so I guess different people are affected in different ways! Good luck. _____________________ Dear Johanne: Thanks for your message. I, too, have a congenital deformity, though mine is of the spine. Since discovering that cd is in my family I suspect it is the cause of the problem. Both my daughter and I have also become quite different "personalities" after being gf for 4 years. It is no accident that people with gastric distress feel distressed all the time, and cannot assert themselves without fear. This is a terrible side-effect of this disease, but one which has to be counted among the more destructive. ______________________________ I have CD. We don't yet know if anyone else has it. My niece was born with no cartilage in one ear (it is floppy). She has gas and other stomach problems. Maybe there is a connection? ___________________________ I don't know about congenital problems--unless your mother too may have celiac disease. However, I agree with you that I have become more assertive now that I feel better. Also calmer and nicer--used to be irritable around my family; hid it from others as well as possible. _________________________ You wrote: >Also, I am now gluten-free since 11 months and I saw change in my temper. I >feel that I am more assertive than ever before. I fight for my own right >and I don't avoid conflict like I used to do. See my page: Autistic Spectrum and Diet: http://www.PaleoDiet.com/autism/ Autism is the extreme of someone that is shy. I see these all related, just to different degrees and presentations. ____________________________ I think you are right, I just wanted peace so I gave in , and probably still do with family,but am more assertive also. It takes a lot of energy , why sweat the small stuff. ____________________________ Hello Johanne - I am a very assertive, sassy (say what I mean) kind of person. When I became anemic and ill (and didn't know why) - people DID notice a difference in me, my husband and my boss especially. My sister thought I was mad at her (and just not speaking to her) I didn't want to go anywhere, I didn't want to do ANYTHING I didn't care how the clean the house was, or who didn't invite me to a party - etc., etc. My doctor said that anemia is when you don't have enough red blood cells If the red blood cells are low in number, automatically you'll have LOW HEMOGLOBIN. This means that that the blood will not be able to carry enough oxygen to the body parts - (your brain - therefore, you just don't think as much). You'd rather let it go then fight for what you believe in. Hope I helped! __________________________ Johanne, I do not know of the congenital malformation but I do have temper problems and also give up quite easily (maybe because I don't want to expend the energy to argue my point) I don't know - I have only been GF since September , still fatigued all the time. I look forward to your summary! __________________________ Thanks a lot again to all of you. Johanne Montreal QC Canada