<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> I'm self-diagnosed celiac. I'm currently one month into a 6 month gluten-binge, in an effort to get a positive biopsy. One side effect of gluten for me is that I get out of breath doing the littlest thing--bending over, climbing stairs. Yesterday the doc said I had edema in my ankles. My question is, would edema in ankles mean I also have edema in other places, like around the lungs? I ask this because we haveb a mountain biking trip to the mountains planned in 3 weeks, in the mountains (altitude--seems to make body work harder). Doc says it doesn't make sense to eat gluten for 6 months to try for a positive biopsy, biopsies are subjective anyway. He says if I feel better off gluten, stay off it. I pointed out that being 90% GF is alot easier than 100% GF, and that to instill 100% cooperation on GF diet I (and my family) need some answers. In the meantime, am I risking trouble mountin biking in the mountains if I have edema, or is edema no big deal. I sure didn't notice my ankles were swollen, I'm a pudgy celiac anyway--how would I notice a little swelling. But I definitely notice the out-of-breathness. Question 1 (sumarized): How serious is edema in celiac? Is it serious enough to limit strenuous aerobic activity while still on gluten (for testing purposes)? Questions 2 (summarized): Am I crazy to go back for 6 months on gluten? many thanks.