Should I go gluten free

[Itchycoothenoo]

Hi, I have excema, ibs, peripheral neuropathy, and have started getting small blisters on my body, do you think I should try gluten free??

I would personally always go dairy free first and see if that helps. I have an autoimmune condition and I really notice it flaring up if I slip and have dairy again.

Yes to dairy free!! I’ve noticed a dramatic change. There is lots to read up about regarding the negative impact dairy has on our bodies.

I do try to stay away from gluten though as for years I was convinced it was that I had issues with

Interesting, I may try dairy free first then. Did you get any allergy tests??

Have you seen a gp to rule out coeliac disease?

No sarahani didn't as I'm actually very healthy so feel a bit dramatic asking about it, have been before about excema and ibS but just got usual creams etc..

If you’ve got peripheral neuropathy have you had your B12 levels checked, symptomatically you certainly sound like you have some malabsorption going on

Dairy problems don’t cause b12 deficiency they are a symptom of a troubled gut

The blisters could indicate dermatitis herpetiformis which is coeliac disease of the skin, consider discussing this with a doctor before taking any further steps but ultimately I would go gluten free in your place

Please see your doctor before you try a gluten free diet if you think the rash is connected. Once you’ve gone gluten free for 6 weeks the blood tests can never detect coeliacs disease again and it’s a mess as you won’t be properly diagnosed and stuck in no man’s land. Try dairy free by all means but if gluten free becomes a real option, see your GP and get some bloods done first.

There is no reliable dairy intolerance test available other than you just trying a dairy free diet

I would try low fodmap and dairy free.

Low fodmap is great for IBS.

Malabsorption can be related to gluten allergy or intolerance. Yes try going gluten free. The test isn’t totally reliable.

Agree with other posters, please get checked for Coeliac before changing your diet. Coeliac can cause skin issues, neuropathy from poor absorption of vitamins and your IBS symptoms could be related as well.

Thanks guys, going to go and get some tests.

Be aware the test may come back fine but you can still be intolerant and have absorption issues.

Peripheral neuropathy was a main symptom for coeliac disease for me although I was laughed out the surgery when I went in complaining of it. I was diagnosed years later by biopsy for investigations for gastritis. My coeliac bloods have always been negative

The blisters could indicate dermatitis herpetiformis which is coeliac disease of the skin, consider discussing this with a doctor before taking any further steps but ultimately I would go gluten free in your place

Didn’t know this.

Dint go gluten free before investigations though or you will get a false negative

I suffered IBS symptoms in my late teens, a blood test showed positive for coeliac. I refused the biopsy but lived gluten free for 5 years my IBS symptoms disappeared but I’m not coeliac at all, found out last year.

If I eat too much gluten I get IBS symptoms but as long as I mix it up I’m fine. So probably just a mild allergy. Every digestive system is different and some handle gluten/dairy better than others.

If I were you I would focus on cutting gluten and dairy down. Half your intake and see if helps before you self diagnose a full blown allergy. It can also be a psychological thing, stress and anxiety can bring on IBS symptoms and fully cutting out a food group can be a bit of a placebo. So don’t limit yourself if you don’t need to. (Allergy alternatives are expensive and not great).

I have, in the last month, been diagnosed as coeliac. My Dr told me that the only way to prove you are coeliac is with a blood test, and then endoscopy/colonoscopy to see the extent of the trouble.

I haven't heard (but was interested to read) about going gluten free which can then, in effect, mask a positive coeliac diagnosis after a certain time. I certainly wouldn't go gluten free out of choice. :(