rubes

I was so worried today that I wouldn't be taken seriously. And I have to credit my new doctor--that did not happen.

He ordered a celiac panel, an endoscopy, and a CT scan, along with a few other blood tests. He ordered the celiac test before I menitioned it, due to my Irish heritage. I will be done with all of the tests in two weeks! That is so much faster than I thought it would happen. He also prescribed me meds to take three times a day, dicyclomine. This has been helpful--the ER gave it to me, too.

Either way, I am going to quit gluten for awhile (possibly forever) once the testing is done. I can't thank you all enough for your knowlegeable perspective these past few days--it has allowed me to feel like I was learning something, at least, in the time that I could do nothing about my situation except wait. There's more waiting to come, so I'll probably be around.

Hi there,

Would you folks advise me on the initial blood tests I need to get to confirm a diagnosis? I know that sometimes it's not that simple, but assuming it will be simple, what tests do I need to request? (Appt. is Weds, 11/21.)

Thanks!
Ruby

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your responses. I started a gluten bucket list, and I've been going through it, eating all the things I think I'll miss. For a couple of days I was feeling somewhat better, but that all collapsed yesterday (two of my favorite bakery's english muffins that were going to go stale and a 1/2 a bagel--yeah, not the best idea after all) in the big D and hives, along with an insatiable itch.

The good news is that I got an appointment with a gastro for next week, after being told I'd have to wait until January. I can't tell you how depressing that thought was--that I'd have to suffer like this until January (and beyond, assuming all the tests would not be instantaneously performed).

I am also thinking I may have to change primary care physicians, but I'm waiting until I get in to see the gastro to do so. In the meantime, I've been Googling every symptom I've had over the past 10 years or so, along with the word celiac, and I am shocked that they're all there. Even my hair color may put me at risk--is that me being insane, or is it more insane that nobody's ever connected the dots before this?

Anyway, I'm hanging in there, but not happily. There's a cloud over me, a big dark glutenous mass of a cloud.

Thanks again for listening.

Ruby