hi i'm new w/ a few questions :)

caseygirl · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 33 Location: Baltimore

Hey all,

I've been reading this forum for a bit and finally decided to join and post something. I have recently (after 5+ years of stomach problems with many tests/biopsies) have gone GF. I'm 25 y.o. btw. I am not celiac, as I have had 3 colonoscopies and 2 endoscopies plus blood tests, which have all come back negative for celiac. I did have stomach ulcers a few years ago, was diagnosed with IBS (of course!), told I have gastritis (chronic inflammation of the stomach), and also esophagitis. No celiac.

Anyway, to make a long story short(er), I decided to go GF after having excessive gas, stomach bloating, pain, diarrhea, food not digesting, etc etc. And it has really helped! The thing is, I'm not 100% better. I would say I am about 95% gluten free, I don't check my makeup, shampoo, etc. The things I eat are almost always gluten free but there are some occassions when I have eaten something even if I'm not positive it is GF. Because I don't have celiac, it's hard to tell if it's that small bit of gluten I'm eating or some other intolerance. I think I might be intolerant to soy too? I eat a lot of soy! I'm a little sad though, as I am lactose intolerant too. Soy seems to be in sooo many gluten free foods. I try to stay away from the processed foods as much as possible, but I'm not much of a cooker either!

My question is what are your symptoms if you are soy intolerant? I tend to get excessive gas with bloating and pain and also some acid reflux. Does this sound like it could be the soy? Or maybe it is the small bit of gluten I eat by accident some days. It's so hard to tell! My 2nd endoscopy done a few months ago showed "mild blunting of the villi." My GI doctor didn't seem too concerned about that, but I have read that other intolerances could cause villi blunting. Does anyone know if this is true? Thanks for reading this...I seem to have rambled on.

lorka · Joined: 15 Aug 2006 Posts: 234

Welcome to the board. It can get frustrating not know what is wrong!

My recommendation is to go 100% gluten-free, and be DILIGENT before you analyze for other issues.
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ostrich · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 4140 Location: Nebraska

Hey Casey! Welcome! I'll second what Lorka said. You need to be diligent about your GF diet. If anything, it'll help you determine if your symptoms are coming from gluten or soy (or both). I know it's hard; you're one of those in-between people. But think of how much better you'll feel (that extra 5%) once you figure out what's going on.
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cruelshoes · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 2501 Location: Washington State

caseygirl · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 33 Location: Baltimore

Thanks for all your replies! I think I needed that push to really be diligent in eating GF. So thanks Smile

I'm going to stop eating foods I'm not 100% sure aren't GF. It's very easy for me when I'm home making my own food but it can get a little tougher when I'm out in public for the day or something. I just gotta keep trying. I'll keep you all posted!