Re: Thanks so much for sharing...

I based my diagnosis on the elimination diet. After removing it, the pain and intense bloating went away. After consuming it, without knowing it, the pain and bloating returned. I had to actually search thru my memory of the things I had eaten to figure out what could have been the trigger. That actually satisfied one of the 'requirements' of diagnosis, to display symptoms without knowing you have consumed the offending agent. Actually, I had eaten a baked fish, coated in spelt, and had thought that the spelt was gluten free. On at least 2 occasions, I had pain, but thought they must have been because I was really hungry at lunch. Only problem with that theory was that I didn't have the normal trapped air feeling that I get when I eat while very hungry or too fast. Then in a discussion on this site, I was informed that spelt contained gluten when I suggested using it for a recipe. After looking it up, I found out that while it is a common wheat replacement, its gluten can still affect a sensitive person. That sealed that diagnosis as far as I was concerned. I didn't learn of the tests for it until after I had been on the diet for over a month, and was informed that testing at that point would likely not be accurate.

Then I also found out that other than the biopsy, the gluten-free diet was the best indicator of intolerance if symptoms disappear. I personally would not have agreed to the biopsy even if I had gotten the blood test, as it only sees what is evident to me, that my intestinal lining is damaged.

I understand your reluctance to visit a specialist. Fortunately in this case, the only prescription is a gluten-free diet which you can manage from the internet. You may want to have your other vitamins and mineral levels checked by a naturopath to see if you need any specific supplementation. Many nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine, and the damage can prevent that altogether. Magnesium, vitamin E & A, and zinc have been the most helpful to me in healing non-intestinal issues. My vision is being restored at an amazing rate. I tend to use magnesium malate as it is pretty well absorbed, and it releases malic acid when it is broken down during digestion which can be a help between my liver flushes. I also use preformed/real vitamin A vs. beta-carotenes, as many people with malabsorption illnesses can not adequately convert b-carotene to A. I also use zinc picolinate, as it is one of the better absorbed formed, and also one of the last minerals to improve after healing.

I hope some of this helps on your road to healing.