Gidget, you are so right about the wheat. Our teen son began suffering with chronic fatigue about a year ago, and we were unable to pinpoint the cause. He had ongoing insomnia and seemed almost depressed - less social, diminished sense of humor, difficulty concentrating in school. And this was previously a bright, talkative, funny kid. Though I chalked some of it up to adolesence, I knew that something was wrong. Fortunately our doc, Tommy John at Sacred Heart, thought to check for the gluten antibody. His blood tests came back with raised antibody levels, so he referred us to gastro doc. We saw two. One in Panama City, said that although he may be gluten sensitive or celiac, that was not likely the cause of his fatigue problem. He wanted to put him on Buspar and have him quit weightlifting (the one thing he still enjoyed doing). Sorry, that diagnosis did not fly with momma. The other local gastro doc was better, but still doubtful that his symptoms were the result of gluten sensitivity. The only way to know for sure, he said, was to perform a small intestine biopsy, which would require him eating gluten for six weeks prior to get an accurate result. We had reduced his gluten consumption already, and when I re-introduced it, he immediately felt worse. Fortunately, I found a lab online founded and run by Kenneth Fine, a gastro doc specializing in gluten and casein senstivity. It uses a non-invasive stool sample and does not require the patient to re-introduce gluten to be effective. They also offer a DNA test for genetic sensitivity to gluten. As we suspected, his test came back positive, not for celiac, but for gluten sensitivity, and his DNA test indicated he has not one, but two, genes predisposing him to it - meaning Mr. C and I have gluten issues, as well. And he is sensitive to casein, as well.
The bottom line is that his problem was indeed the result of eating gluten. My bright, funny, active boy is back. He has more energy, and though he still suffers a bit with sleep issues, that continues to improve, as well. And since I've stopped eating gluten, the mild arthritic pain in my hands has completely disappeared. There are so many diseases and conditions that may be associated with gluten that the list is staggering: fibromyalgia, lupus, cancer, arthritis, asthma, autism, ADD & ADHD among them. How many prescriptions are written needlessly for these conditions?
When I think of all the people unnecessarily medicated for conditions that might be resolved through dietary changes, especially children, I want to cry. I thank God I was prompted to find the underlying cause of my son's health issues. Discovering my own genetic issues with gluten provides a better picture of my family's past health issues, as well.
Organicmama loaned me an eye-opening book titled Dangerous Grains, which I highly recommend. It was especially interesting to note the connection some studies have made between gluten sensitivity and alcoholism. And there are many books on amazon related to both gluten and casein, including cookbooks with recipes.
The lab that did our testing is
http://www.enterolab.com. The cost for the entire battery of tests was under $400, which I consider a bargain, and there is a detailed explanation of how to interpret your test results on the site.
Sorry to be so wordy, but I'm convinced that many people are suffering needlessly, as we were, with issues related to gluten in their diet. I hope this helps get the word out.
My doctors started me on osteo meds early because of my family history.
