I just read that up to 18% of Crohn's patients may be undiagnosed Celiacs (from a European study) so I now wonder why on earth Celiac testing isn't an automatic part of the initial diagnostic procedure with Crohns. It is a simple blood test.
If nothing else, Crohn's patients with Celiac are surely going to have difficulty controlling one disease if the other is still active and producing the same symptoms. I am going to ask for a test. Coincidentally, when I mentioned this to my mother, she said that my father was tested for something and told to not eat gluten -and that was back in the 50's! when there were no gluten free products yet and it was not a 'fad', so he just forgot about it.
Anyway, I am going to try to stick this out. The difference is remarkable. I know it is not a 'cure'.... but it goes a long way towards alleviating my symptoms and giving me a much more normal life. It is a big, glaring, obvious piece of the puzzle for me, and one that it took 13 years for someone to recommend! In fact, it was a lot of what I read on this website that encouraged me to at least try the gluten free.
Bangarang, I am definitely going to tell my GI. He is always telling me to avoid dairy, eat lower residue, and otherwise diet makes no difference. The thing docs don't realize is that they are right, ONE single diet does not make a difference in EVERY SINGLE patient. But dietary CHANGES of one sort or another, WILL make a difference, if you personalize those diets for each patient based on his needs.
I think a food journal is a great idea, I will start one too.