10 replies to this topic

[LisaS]

Is celiac pronounced see-lee-ak?

Why is it also spelled coeliac? Is this pronounced differently?

Thanks
LisaS

[seeking_wholeness]

Lisa,

That's how I pronounce it. Some people say it like "silly yak." Coeliac is the British spelling, and I am pretty sure it is pronounced the same as celiac. The o is in there because the word is derived from Latin, which used oe and ae vowel combinations in some words, but we Americans tend to drop confusing silent vowels from Latin words. Speakers of the Queen's English choose not to.

I hope this helps!

[tarnalberry]

And for a third variation, I and my doctors (California) pronounce it seh-lee-ack. (Ironically, a lot like celibate.) Webster's dictionary sides with you, however. ;-)

[LisaS]

Thanks Sarah & tarnalberry. I figure the doctor wouldn't take me too seriously if I couldn't even pronounce it.

You guys are great!
LisaS

[gf4life]

It doesn't seem to matter what I call it, my doctor won't take me seriously, either. She insists on calling it "Sprue". She doesn't seem to like it when I call it Celiac Disease. I have to call it Celiac Sprue, or just Sprue when I am around her. I don't care what anybody calls it. If you have it, it won't go away just because some doctor doesn't believe you. That's just my opinion.

Mariann

[kejohe]

Hiya Ladies... just curious, why do you still see these doctors if they don't listen you?

I have a celiac friend who mentioned just today that finding one good doc is nearly impossible, especially in this world of specialists. She said that the key is really trying to find a good primary care doc, who is willing to learn from you. And I think she is totally on the money, my son had a gastro doc just long enough to confirm his ped's dx, and then we dumped him. He was awful, he didn't listen to our concerns, even after the dx, and his bedside manner was horrendous. Our ped, on the other hand, is fabulous, he listens, suggest, studies, listens some more and together we have come up with an action plan that really works for my son.

I get angry with these doc's who admit that they know next to nothing about the disease, but then refuse to listen to us as if we are stupid about what is going on with our own bodies. AAARRRGH! Sorry, just venting.

[gf4life]

just curious, why do you still see these doctors if they don't listen you?

Well, I feel like I'm stuck, sometimes... I mean, I have an HMO and have to get a referral. I feel like one of these days my GP is going to say no, so I just try a little harder with my GI specialist. It would be nice for others in her practice if she would learn more about the disease, as there are quite a few undiagnosed Celiacs in her practice. They are diagnosed with IBS and then put themselves on the gluten-free diet. I don't see much reason to stay with her after next week when I get the results of the biopsy. Unless of course she is willing to accept that I do have celiac disease and offer better care. It might be easier to get a bone scan and nutritional deficiency tests out of her then...Now, as far as my kids new Ped. GI goes, I think he is great and I hope he never leaves the area! I would hate to try to find another doctor for my kids.

I can honestly say that in the three and a half years we have lived here in this town of 10,000 people and two doctors offices, I have never once been seen by my primary care physician. I have seen every other doctor and physicians assistant in the office, but getting in with "the big guy" is next to impossible, unless you want to wait a few weeks to be seen! He also delivers babies, so he often has to leave unexpectedly... Well, I have had more luck with the Physicians Assistant in his office in regards to Celiac Disease, and referrals, than with the other "real" doctors. He is very willing to learn more about the disease and to listen to me. I hope he stays that way when he is finished with his schooling to be a doctor.

Well, thats my story.
God bless,
Mariann

[kejohe]

Yeah, I guess that whole preffered provider thing can really get in the way. Luckily for my son, his ped was also my ped, so even though he is not a preffered provider with our insurance co, he waived all of our initial office cost, and the cost of a visit isn't too bad. Our insurance co still pays, but we have to fork out our cash, then get reimbursed. It's a pain, but his doc's worth it. I hope that you find one that you like soon, or that your primary care doc gets her act together after your results are in.

Take Care!

[EmilyP2004]

Is celiac pronounced see-lee-ak?

Why is it also spelled coeliac? Is this pronounced differently?

Thanks
LisaS

Yes, in UK we say 'See lee ack' (or 'silly yak') and it is spelt coeliac here & in some other countries.

There is a Tropical Sprue as well as Non-tropical Sprue but the Tropical type is temporary and not for life as is Non-Tropical Sprue (Coeliac/Celiac Disease).

I think it is confusing to call it Sprue as it is not clear if you do that which type it is.

Here's one explanation as to why the word is 'coeliac':

*************************
The Greek work "koiliakos" used by Aretaeus had originally meant "suffering in the bowels" when used to describe people. Passing through Latin, 'k' became 'c' and 'oi' became 'oe'. Dropping the Greek adjectival ending 'os' gave us the word coeliac.

http://osiris.sunder...cs0rel/hist.htm

****************************

[jen-schall]

have you heard of "the other name" for it, which is Tropical Sprue???

it sounds like SUCH a fun disease, like a luau for the gut!

riiight.