Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Help Celiac.com:
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Might Skip The Biopsy... Thoughts?


JDThornton

Recommended Posts

JDThornton Newbie

Okay, so if you missed my story earlier, I have a long list of typical celiac symptoms, including depression, severe cramps, constipation, bloating, major constant gas, etc. (See "Should I Re-Test", same thread, for the whole story). I have weight gain instead of loss, but my stomach is firm to the touch as if constantly bloated. Blood tests came up negative (still waiting on my copy in the mail), so I went to a GI last week.

I am about to just give up on doctors entirely. I sat there for over an hour explaining all my symptoms to the nurse, then again to the PA. Then the doctor walks in and the first thing he says is "I'm not really going to look at your other symptoms, just the GI symptoms." He then tells me he's 95% sure I am not celiac and diagnosis me with IBS. He does not want to do any more testing, just meds and diet changes.

Shouldn't all symptoms be considered when making a diagnosis??

I insisted on the biopsy, but his office has not called me back yet to schedule it, and now I'm thinking I should just save my money (out of vacation and sick time for work already too) and just see a dietician and make the change to gluten-free. I haven't started the diet yet because I have an allergy test scheduled for the 19th. My boyfriend says I should get the biospy only after the allergy test, to see if I come up as allergic or sensitive to gluten, but to me it seems like a moot point.

Any thoughts on if I should proceed with medical testing or just trust my instincts on this?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



mushroom Proficient

Well that is what one could call a wasted hour :P Anyone can pull the old IBS diagnosis out of a hat blindfold!! But there's not a soul here on this board who would do that to you. He was basically telling you he just was not interested.

Yes, of course all symptoms should be considered, but they very seldom are. Often you are rationed to the number of symptoms you can talk about in 15 minutes or less (and this includes the physical examination and the writing of prescriptions for conditions you do not have because he has not spent enough time finding out what you do have. We have our charming HMO's and time and efficiency study experts and bottom line people to thank for that.

It is certainly possible to have positive biopsy and negative blood, but more common to find both of them negative as in non-celiac gluten intolerance, for which the only test is to try the diet and see if it resolves the symptoms. If it does, BINGO! If it doesn't, time for further exploration. That's my take on it unless there is a compelling reason for an official diagnosis of something.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
rosetapper23 Explorer

With an idiot GI doctor like yours, I wouldn't bother with a biopsy. He probably doesn't know how many biopsies to take, where to take them from, and how to read the pathology afterwards. Besides, he's convinced you don't have celiac....so surely he'll find a way to match the test findings to his already lame diagnosis.

I'd simply switch to a gluten-free diet if I were you. You're a lot smarter than the doctor--go with your guts on this one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
peeptoad Apprentice

I agree with Rosetapper. I also had a negative blood test and no biopsy done, and my GI doc said he "presumes I do not have celiac, but am just sensitive to gluten". Anyway the treatment is the same... I do go through periods where I wish I knew for sure since intolerance does not necessarily damage the villi, but celiac does and I don't want to predispose myself to cancer. (in other words I would be a little more strict with the gluten-free diet if I knew for sure).

Oh well. I'm not about the gluten myself for 2 months just to get a biopsy done that may or may not be conclusive...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
nvsmom Community Regular

If you are comfortable going gluten-free without a celiac diagnosis, i say go for it. I have half a dozen friends who are gluten-free due to non-celiac gluten intolerance and to treat other autoimmune problems. They don't have a specific, doctor given diagnosis either but they sure do feel better now.

On the other hand, if you need a diagnosis for insurance or financial reasons, you might want to do the biopsy. The biopsy might also be helpful to determine if something else is the cause of your symptoms (which are the same as mine except for the gas).

I would do the biopsy as soon as you can if you decide that is the route to go. The longer you wait, the more discomfort you have to endure while eating gluten. I don't think you need to be eating gluten for sensitivity testing, but 'm not sure of that.

It's a very personal decision. I wish you the best in what ever you decide.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JDThornton Newbie

Thank you everyone!! I think an allergy test should be sufficient, then I'll be going on to the gluten-free diet. Bought a cookbook for gluten-free comfort foods this weekend, so I'm ready! :) Thank you all for your advice. I am glad to be here!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      120,162
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Lenabeana
    Newest Member
    Lenabeana
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.2k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • CatherineWang
      I'm pretty sure that in stores, you can find plenty of gluten-free options. But they are usually a bit more expensive.
    • cristiana
      Hello @BunnyBrown and welcome to the forum. I cannot say that I have had the procedure you describe, but recently I did have general surgery and was routinely intubated.  That pain was what troubled me most after the operation, far more than the operation site.  It took a few days to really settle down, I was quite badly bruised. It was taking so long I was a bit concerned so asked the question on another forum. A few patients came back to me and said they had suffered the same.  I imagine in my own case possibly the throat got bashed about a bit,  maybe they had difficult inserting the tube?  I've suffered with a painful throat post-endoscopy too, but never as long as the intubation pain.   I hope you will be feeling better very soon.   PS BTW - love the name!  I saw this today in an Easter display in a shop and your name reminded me of it.🙂  
    • cristiana
      This wonderful, Anne. I think you have a point about why people disappear off forums.  I found the first few years post diagnosis a real struggle and frankly wondered if I would ever feel better (not to dishearten people, but just to say it can take a while longer for some folk to heal).  However, once my antibodies were back within normal range it really has made a big difference to my health.  I've chosen to stick around because I'm a Mod, otherwise I might have been one of those that disappeared, too!      
    • Exchange Students
      Yes absolutely, we work with all public schools and some private schools in all 50 states.
    • Scott Adams
      Just a quick question, can the host live in any state in the USA?
×
×
  • Create New...