Comments on: Gluten and the Autoimmune Disease Spectrum

By: Mona

Mona — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 15:00:17 +0000

I first began a non-gluten diet in 2001, as it resolved my digestive issues. Suprisingly, it also resolved health issues in the other family members that joined me on the diet. In 2009, I began a high protein, high quality carbohydrate diet, as I was still overweight. The weight disappeared and I was able to maintain the relatively strict diet for four years. Still unconvinced deep down, I resumed a gluten/sugar based diet in 2013. In a mere three years, I undid all the health benefits I had previously enjoyed. I developed pernicious anemia,, heavy periods, digestive issues, skin issues, and all that accompanies malabsorption/malnutrition. The road to recovery has been long and hard to maintain. I was diagnosed with AI atrophic gastritis. Still, medical providers seem reluctant to test for celiac even though I do have the genes. In spite of this, I have made great strides on a gluten free diet. I know if were able to maintain the stricter diet, I would experience even greater benefits.

By: Catherine Kane

Catherine Kane — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 19:58:58 +0000

I’ve been diagnosed with a number of autoimmune conditions in the past 18 months.
Oral lichen planus
Rosacea
Vulval lichen sclerosus and alopecia universalis.
I’ve had gastric symptoms ie bloating, excess gas and constipation for 3 years and even had a colonoscopy 2 years ago which showed nothing.
I contacted a dietician who suggested I get tested for caeliac disease and that was negative. I decided then with my GP who said that many are gluten intolerant these days and to to try a gluten free diet. I couldn’t believe how well I felt after just 3 days. No gas, bloating or constipation and I’m still feeling great 2 months later.
The oral lichen planus and vulval lichen sclerosus have both settled down, both were quite distressing for a full year. The rosacea I keep under control with Protopic 0.1%
The alopecia is the last diagnosis I got 5 months ago and has halted but no sign yet of regrowth. I’d be happy if it just stopped there even without regrowth.

By: Karen D Shaw

Karen D Shaw — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 18:11:55 +0000

I’ve been eating GFree for 10 years. In Spring/Summer of 2020 I had a few terrible bouts with gluten; vomiting, diarrhea sometimes at the same time. I had an endoscopy colonoscopy at the same time and was diagnosed with GERDS. Gastro-Esophageal Regurgitation, similar to what you describe your daughter has, without spasms. It has greatly improved with medication, continued gfree AND without red meat. Eliminating red meat greatly improved how my stomach feels, it’s been so long since my stomach has felt normal, “quiet” that I’d forgotten how it feels to have a normal stomach – it feels great, physically and emotionally.

By: Sue Vrobel

Sue Vrobel — Sat, 02 Jan 2021 22:57:38 +0000

In reply to Saisha Moodley. My mouth improved markedly when I went mostly gluten-free. I can tell and I have eaten too much food with gluten because it will start to get sore again. Apthous ulcers and gingivitis from oral lichen planus has improved.

By: Jenny A.D. Sheldon

Jenny A.D. Sheldon — Sat, 11 Jul 2020 08:34:39 +0000

Wonder why the swelling in my two finger middle joints will not go down despite eating gluten free only. I was diagnosed years ago with RA. Doctors have tried to put me on Methotrexate and Plaquenil. Ive resisted and took prednisolone instead. Am slowly weaning myself off the med., down to two and half mg since March 2020 when was on five mg.

By: Steve Hartman

Steve Hartman — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 17:14:54 +0000

In reply to Saisha Moodley. For sure, my mouth was full of canker sores, when I went off gluten they completely disappeared. It was unbelievable

By: Saisha Moodley

Saisha Moodley — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 19:02:35 +0000

In reply to Sue Wild.

I’d like to know more about a cure for oral lichen planus. I’ve had it for almost a year. Been to many doctors specialists dermatologist. Had biopsy clear. But lesions in mouth very sore. Can’t eat spice.
Cam a gluten free diet help. And what are the foods not to have. I’m desperate. Please help.

By: Jennifer Wood

Jennifer Wood — Fri, 23 Nov 2018 10:46:12 +0000

Diagnosed with MS nine years ago, leg and arm pains were getting worse this year, heavy legs with pains and brain fog – waking up feeling tired. Decided to try gluten free – still in the first week and cannot believe the difference in my symptoms- no pain in legs, arms much better, slept better and brain fog gone!! I can’t believe it how what we eat can dramatically change how our bodies work!! Please try it just for 30 days and see the difference

By: LIZ

LIZ — Fri, 05 May 2017 17:27:42 +0000

In reply to Nicole Summers. Odds are, your pcp won't know or won't be open to think it might be an issue. They might say something like, don't believe everything you read on the Internet. I have found most doctors are really not open to outside comments or suggestions. Their work is 90% guess work. They want to keep you coming back. Going gluten free cant hurt so, why not try. Good luck.

By: Sally McCaughrin

Sally McCaughrin — Thu, 04 May 2017 21:45:27 +0000

I dealt with terrible muscle cramping for years. I’d “bounce” 7-8 times a night with horrible leg and foot cramps, as well as cramping while doing yoga and other activities in the daytime. I went to doctors all over the country, as we moved with my husband’s work frequently, and no one had any real answers. It took an acupuncturist to discover my mal-absorbtion issues. And the most common cause of mal-absorbtion is gluten. I now have no cramping problems. The acupuncture stopped it, and going gluten free has kept it away.