Newbie Seeking Info

[Bones]

I been reading a lot about celiac disease. I believe that I have many of the symptoms fot being celiac. I also believe my children have thesame symptoms. I have asked for my primary care physician for testing myself for celiac and he thought that I was speaking another language. I have tried to go without gluten but I lasted for 3 days.

Now, I would like to pay for testing . So I am interested in knowing which labs are recommened and which ones to stay away from. I am also confused about blood testing vs. biopsy. Could anyone inform me if there is a specific formula to follow to find out if someone has celiac disease. Also, any sympathy physicians in the NJ area. So if anyone would be interested in offering some suggestion to this newbie would be helpful. Thank you.

[Lisa]

Bones:

I was treated with IBS symptoms for 27 years. It wasn't but four month ago that my symptoms got so out of control that my GP set me to the GI guy. I believe that I was pre-disposed and maybe have been non-symtematic (sp) for celiac disease for many years. But, during a period of high stress four months ago, the celiac disease kicked into high gear.

To make a long story short...during this time when I went to lunch for a salad, a half hour later, there was my salad and 1/2 of my stomach acid. I could not leave the house. So, hence the GI DR. I had an endoscopy exam with a biopsy and a colonoscopy. Colon, was great. Endoscopy and biopsy indicated scalloping of the upper intestines and flattening of the villi....which is consistant with Celiac Disease.

Two and 1/2 months into the gluten-free diet, I am not just beginning to feel like I can join the rest of the world. Every third day is a not so good day and am looking forward to every forth and every fifth and every sixth.....

I don't know if this answer any of your questions, but I hope it did. I wish you well and your children and if you feel they need to be tested, go with it.

Best of luch and I hope that I have been helpful to you.

Lisa B.

PS - If you are entertaining testing DO NOT GO GLUTEN FREE BEFORE TESTING.

It will not show the true testing/readings.

[jerseyangel]

Bones, I don't know where you are in NJ but I go to Dr. John Kravitz in Mount Laurel. All I know is that he was the first and only Dr. who took my symptoms seriously and ran the tests. I agree, though, that if you plan on being tested that you do not stop eating gluten until after the tests to insure an accurate result. Good luck to you!