There used to be a Gainesville celiac group, but it is apparently defunct. I'm a UF graduate student, so I'm thinking about starting one through UF (if there are a bunch of students) or just in Gainesville itself.
Let me know if anyone's interested -- I want to get a sense of how many people there might be before I take this on (otherwise, it's not a productive procrastination tool for me as I should be writing my dissertation).
Hi there. My name is Michele. I believe I suffer from either an intolerance or sensitivity towards gluten. I live in G-ville as well. I attended SFCC several years ago, then I moved to go to a diff college (nothing personal towards UF) then I moved back. Anyhow, I am interested in getting together.
I was also hoping to find some info on a G-ville doc to test whether there's truth to my personal gluten theory, but I’ve been reading so many cases where people have turned to EnteroLab to confirm their gluten disorder. Does anyone have an update on a G-ville doc who is familiar on testing for Celiacs Disease or gluten sensitivity?
I live in Gainesville also. Through diet elimination I have determined I have gluten intolerance. I searched through the Shands directory and all the doctors in Gainesville hoping to find one that was familiar with Celiacs; I did not. I ended up going to Digestive Disease Associates of America. Since it was at least 3 months until the next doctor was available, I ended up seeing an ARNP. She seemed to have an understanding of Celiacs. I have not been eating gluten for 1.5 years, so she will not do a blood test on me until I eaten gluten for 20 days. The thought of eating gluten for that amount of time makes me what to cry, so I am not sure if I will be returning. I wish I knew of a great doctor in Gainesville, but I can't say that I do. Nevertheless, I hope this information helps. Below is the link for Digestive Disease Associates. The website has the address, phone number, and a brief biography of all the doctors. Let me know if I can do anything else to help.
I went to Digestive Disease and that is where I got my diagnosis. I just told them my symptoms and a PA ordered a bunch of blood tests, Celiac among them. They were not too helpful with the diet (I got the standard handout ordering me not to eat any gums and no vinegar -- so that was confusing for a while) but I am grateful to have been diagnosed so quickly. I can't remember the PA's name (Patricia, maybe?), but my Dr. is Leibach and I liked him all right.
Good luck!
As for the support group, I'm definitely open to getting together. I feel like a broken record when I say that because I keep saying it but nothing ever happens! Andrea, Michele and Shelly -- if you want to get coffee sometime or something, let me know!
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diagnosed 8/05 through positive bloodwork & biopsy gluten-free since then!
"Those who are willing to be vulnerable move among mysteries." Theodore Roethke
Hi Michele,
I know these posts are old, but in case you never found anyone (or for any other new people from Gainesville) I figured I'd post. I went to Dr. Dean Kramer. He's located near North Florida Hospital, and while he did want to diagnose me with IBS, he did agree to do the bloodwork for gluten for me when I asked him to. I haven't been back to him because he cost way too much with my bad insurance, but he did send me a letter stating my bloodwork results were postive for celiac and I've been gluten free for a few weeks now.
Also, did anything ever happen with a support group or meeting up? I'm interested, and I need help!
I was also wondering if a group ever got started up because I would definitely be interested in joining. I was diagnosed not too long ago. I'm a grad student at UF so I would be interested in one on campus or off.
Hi Michele, I know these posts are old, but in case you never found anyone (or for any other new people from Gainesville) I figured I'd post. I went to Dr. Dean Kramer. He's located near North Florida Hospital, and while he did want to diagnose me with IBS, he did agree to do the bloodwork for gluten for me when I asked him to. I haven't been back to him because he cost way too much with my bad insurance, but he did send me a letter stating my bloodwork results were postive for celiac and I've been gluten free for a few weeks now. Also, did anything ever happen with a support group or meeting up? I'm interested, and I need help!
Hello, I was just diagnosed and am in Gainesville. Would love to learn resources, pool local knowledge - did this group get off the ground? Any interest in getting one together, if not?
