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How Can I Find A Good Doctor In Colorado?


rantipoles

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rantipoles Newbie

Hello. This is my first post on celiac.com. After having 10 years of digestive problems that were repeatedly misdiagnosed as either acid reflux or IBS, I had a basic blood test come back positive for celiac. The upper GI biopsies came back negative. Because of this, my doctor gave me a diagnosis of "mildly gluten-sensitive" and told me to just avoid gluten. The problem is, I suspect I'm having cross reactions with other foods (proteins that my body is mistaking for gluten) and have yet to feel much symptom relief under the gluten-free diet after a month. I recently switched jobs and lost my health insurance, but I will be looking to see what is available under Obamacare once the health care exchanges open in October.

 

As I compare options, I'd like to know if anyone knows of a good doctor who knows about gluten issues and celiac issues and is competent in treating individuals with this problem. My experience thus far dealing with both general practitioners and GI doctors has been frustrating. I understand that gluten problems are a relatively new and little understood area of medicine, but I am getting tired of paying $50 copays to doctors who seem to know even less than I do about celiac. I'd also really love to find a doctor who might be able to help me heal my gut enough to where I might eventually be able to eat some of the foods that I'm intolerant of right now (I know, gluten's out forever, but I really, really don't want to have to give up coffee for the rest of my life). If anyone knows a good doctor anywhere along the Colorado Front Range area, I'd really, really appreciate knowing about him or her. Thank you all.


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kareng Grand Master

You might have a hard time finding a legit doctor that will help you with " cross- re activities" as that isn't really scientifically backed up at this point.

Open Original Shared Link

It can take a year or more to get better from Celiac. You might want to cut dairy, if you haven't, as that is hard to digest with damaged villi. Maybe make sure you are really gluten-free for a few months and see how it goes. It is possible there are other health issues or even other foods you are intolerant to.

  • 4 months later...
tonalynn Explorer

Where are you in Colorado? I had no idea I have celiac until I was diagnosed last October by a naturopath in Boulder. She is really great, has been gluten free herself for 20 years and deals with a lot of patients with celiac and gluten intolerance. She also works with an MD in the office, so if you needed prescriptions or something, they can take care of that too.

 

If you like, you can message me and I'll give you her contact info. :-)

  • 1 year later...
Rachelle# Newbie

I'm curious if anyone has a good GI doctor in or around the Denver Metro area? If so, I am in need of one. I've been gluten free for 3 years (never tested for celiac just knew my hand rash went away with not eating gluten).  After two rounds of antibiotics last Feb I developed a white appearance towards the back of my tongue that did not clear with Diflucan or Nystatin, so was ruled to be "hairy tongue." A few months after I started to have extreme bloating and diarrhea after very small amounts of dairy. I've seen a GI doctor, but after 1 visit and no tests was told I have IBS and should take fiber.  I stopped dairy last week and symptoms are gone. Not sure why I suddenly can't tolerate dairy and part of me thinks, great what will be next. I would love to have a provider that could help me make sense of all this. 

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    • Judy M
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    • Scott Adams
      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
    • trents
      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
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