Lupus and Celiac Disease

by T. Cullen
(Florida)

Hi,I'm a 39 year old woman who was diagnosed with SLE (Lupus) 8 years ago. But in my heart, didn't believe it.

Despite being tested and retested in addition to having the symptoms I was always told I had Lupus and needed to accept it. I knew I had SOMETHING but it just didn't feel like it was Lupus. No reason and I can't explain it.

Recently, I was told a story of a man who had severe Lupus and was close to dying. In desperation, his daughter eliminated all Gluten from his diet and a miracle happened, he became perfectly well again! I was so amazed by her story that I decided to become 100% dedicated to a Gluten Free diet. At the time, I had stage 3 kidney disease, constant joint pain and was very sensitive to all kinds of light, natural and flouresant.

After only 2 or 3 weeks of being Gluten Free I felt better. I tested the theory by going to KFC and eating a biscuit. It was proof beyond any test that a doctor could give that I definetly had the allergy. I was bedridden sick over that darn biscuit. It took about 3 days until I felt better. The best news of all is during my last doctor's visit he told me that he felt either my Lupus was in remission (for the first time in 8 years) OR that I never had Lupus in the first place! This was the same doctor that told me over the years that I was in denial of having Lupus!! I was SOOO happy to hear those words that I literally jumped off the table and sorta punched him in the arm saying "I told you so!", embarrassed, yes. But, it was validation that I needed.

My kidneys are back to normal and I feel great. My only complaint, which I don't think I deserve to complain, would be that I am ALWAYS HUNGRY! I am terrified to eat anything from a restaurant but am so thankful for sites like this one that educate us on what is safe and what is not. If anyone you know has been diag. with Lupus, please suggest that it may be a Gluten allergy, it could save their life. Thank you for allowing me to share my story in hope of it helping someone else.