Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Gluten intolerance?- Please,Desparate for answers

Augie--I have been going through this same issue for a few years. I tested positive for a gluten allergy years ago (via blood test--not the most reliable method). I found that when I stopped eating gluten I felt significantly better for a few years. I too wanted to know for sure whether or not I am gluten intolerant, because the diet can be restrictive (although there a lot of great alternatives these days). I have had all the tests for celiac disease, including the celiac gene test, and they are all negative. However, I could still be gluten intolerant, despite those test results. About 18 months ago, despite being GF, my IBS-like symptoms got significantly worse--I have been trying ever since to determine the cause. I have not gotten a definitive diagnosis of IBS yet--I'm still going through testing for various causes. And I feel that I have never gotten a definitive answer about celiac disease and gluten intolerance. It's very frustrating.

At any rate, both gluten intolerance and IBS can be difficult to diagnose and the whole process is very confusing. I recently found out about a test that can give a very reliable diagnosis of gluten intolerance (as well as some other food allergies/sensitivities). I found about it on the message board at www.celiac.com (a good resource). I am going to try to do it as soon as I can afford to. It is through Enterolab: www.enterolab.com. It might be worth a try to once and for all rule out - or in - gluten intolerance.

In the meantime, I have decided to remain GF, as well as to stick to the IBS diet guidelines. In my case, doing both of these things has yet to improve the symptoms that started 18 months ago. But until I can find out what is causing this recent long-term "attack", I figure it's worth sticking to the GF and IBS diets.

Another thing to keep in mind: It can take a very long time to recuperate from the symptoms caused by gluten intolerance. Additionally, there is hidden gluten everywhere. I had a lot of problems early on because I kept thinking I was GF so why didn't I feel better--then I'd find out that some favorite food that I thought was safe actually contained gluten. A good example of this: I was using Citrucel as a fiber supplement, and I found out that it contains gluten--though there is no mention of this in the ingredients.

I sure hope you can get things figured out. Please share anything you find out. This is such a confusing and frustrating thing to go through.

Best of luck to you.

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