To wheat or not to wheat

[vaneramos]

I'm scheduled for gastroscopy to check my hiatal hernia and reflux issues on April 3. The specialist said he can also check for damage from celiac disease, however that means I'll have to go off the wheat-free diet for four weeks. I have never been diagnosed. The advantage of doing it now is I can skip the blood test (which costs $120 because it isn't covered by OHIP, adding insult to the injury of being sick) normally required for a scope referral. I probably won't get another chance for this fast track.

Unfortunately, eating wheat might make me extremely ill. The symptoms I experienced prior to going gluten-free in March 2008 were mild compared with what I've experienced since from occasional, often inexplicable mishaps. It's easy to miss wheat as an ingredient, and I've become extremely vigilant.

Not doing the wheat challenge is a reasonable alternative. If gluten-free makes me feel better, why worry? Mainly because a conclusive diagnosis would qualify a tax deduction for dietary needs. And with other health and diet factors concerned, celiac disease would justify a high degree of caution. I'd know where to concentrate. I don't miss wheat all that much, but if I have to be so fastidious for the the rest of my life, I would like to know.

Comments

[oakenking.livejournal.com]

I was very fortunate, my blood tests were off-the-charts positive, and my doctor didn't feel that it was worth the expense and difficulty of getting an endoscope. The lovely side benefit - I have technically been diagnosed with gluten intolerance, NOT with Celiac Disease. I found out the hard way, that Celiac Disease gets a LOT of points on your application when you're getting rated for health insurance - they didn't deny coverage, but the price tripled. We re-submitted with the phrase "gluten intolerant" and it came back as if I were normal.

Good luck, whichever way you decide to go!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

That's good to know about the insurance. It may be moot, because today I had a call back from the surgeon's office to tell me I should not go off the diet but he will take a biopsy anyway. From all my research I can't see that it will give any conclusive evidence when I'm on a gluten-free diet.

[apel.livejournal.com]

4 weeks is a long time. I can see why you're hesitating. Either way I hope you get useful information out of the gastroscopy.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Yes, it is a long time. Today I had a call back from the surgeon's office suggesting I should not change my diet, but I don't see how we can get clear evidence otherwise. Hopefully I can talk to him again directly before I decide what to do.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Mental health certainly affects the GI tract, however judging by how my health improved when I went on a gluten-free diet four years ago, I am most likely gluten-intolerant. I've never been diagnosed because I've never been tested, and the question of the moment is whether it would be worthwhile to look for a diagnosis. Regardless, it will make sense for me to continue eschewing wheat, while also looking after my mental health.