Suspect Celiac, no medical access, options?

[firewrangler]

Hi everyone, I'm new here!  So, I'll just give the short version first, and we can go from there.

 

I'm a 46 year old man who has had mysterious health issues my whole life, but only recently began to suspect dietary causes.  I am now quite sure that most of my issues for the last 40 years have been related to wheat, and now I am reacting to at least one form of Corn as well, as best I can tell on my own here.

 

I'm part of the US demographic that has fallen between the cracks in the medical system, and I have never felt like I had the luxury of medical help.  This is something I intend to work through in the coming months, as it's obvious to me I need some help here. 

That said, I've read enough to know I would like to initiate the testing procedure.   Has anyone had any experience with using a walk-in clinic or the like to take the samples and handle the transfer to the labs to get the testing done?  I am imagining I could just walk in and get blood taken and instruct them which labs and what tests and be done with it, but.....?  I dunno, maybe it won't work that way. 

At any rate, it's going to be a long, difficult process for me to figure out regular health care, and in the meantime, I'd like to figure out what's killing me here! 

 

Any advice is welcome!

[RMJ]

I had my original tests done through this lab without going through a doctor (supposedly one reviews the results before they are posted).  They don't operate in every state so don't know if it would help you or not.  

Open Original Shared Link

Good luck getting tested and getting answers!

[firewrangler]

12 minutes ago, RMJ said:

I had my original tests done through this lab without going through a doctor (supposedly one reviews the results before they are posted).  They don't operate in every state so don't know if it would help you or not.  

Open Original Shared Link

Good luck getting tested and getting answers!

Thank you so much!  Checking it out now....

 

Wow!  It looks like it is available here.

 

So, did you do the "Celiac Complete?"  I think this might be my solution, although the thought of another intentional poisoning is scary right now.  I can't shake the one I gave myself on the New Year.  I suppose I might as well keep the inflammation party going though, as long as I'm not 100% anyway.

 

Thank you thank you!

 

 

[bartfull]

I too fall through the cracks. I knew gluten was a problem for me so I came here and learned how To avoid CC, went completely gluten-free, and saw my symptoms clear up. Later on a great free clinic opened here (for a while - they are gone now. ) and the doctor there, based on family history (Mom was a diagnosed celiac), and resolution of symptoms, gave me an official diagnosis.

Now, years later I am going through some unrelated and serious health problems. I had no choice - I HAD to see a doctor. I have paperwork to take back to my next appointment to see if I can get a break on fees. (The last visit cost over a thousand dollars!) Either way, I'll be setting up a payment plan and they're only going to get 20 bucks a month. I'll be in debt for the rest of my life but it's better than dying.

All that being said, my advice is, if you can possibly get an official diagnosis, DO IT!

[firewrangler]

11 minutes ago, bartfull said:

I too fall through the cracks......

Thank you so much for that, I have been struggling for six weeks and just found you all.  I suppose you probably know how it feels to finally have some understanding people to communicate with here.

 

It's lovely to hear I'm not alone, both in the condition and difficulty with our care system.  Thank you!

[kareng]

Depends on your state....you may be able to just walk into a blood draw place, like a Quest diagnostics, and order it yourself.  Just be prepared to pay at the time of the blood draw, if you have no insurance.  Other states, you might have luck at one of those walk- in clinics.  You might have to call around and see.

[kareng]

Oh... Have you been gluten free for a while?  The tests don't work if you haven't been consistently eating a gluten containing diet.  It's usually recommended from 6-8 weeks.  It's possible, if you had a really high number of antibodies, that they would still be there, but I wouldn't base my diagnosis on it.

[firewrangler]

36 minutes ago, kareng said:

Oh... Have you been gluten free for a while?  The tests don't work if you haven't been consistently eating a gluten containing diet.  It's usually recommended from 6-8 weeks.  It's possible, if you had a really high number of antibodies, that they would still be there, but I wouldn't base my diagnosis on it.

Thank you for your help!

 

Yes, I have been toying with gluten free for the last 8 months or so, on and off and without much intent at first, then.....same old story.  I understand I need to be eating gluten before initiating the tests.

I will call the walk in clinic this week and see what they say for sure.  Thank you so much for the input!

[SLLRunner]

8 hours ago, firewrangler said:

Hi everyone, I'm new here!  So, I'll just give the short version first, and we can go from there.

 

I'm a 46 year old man who has had mysterious health issues my whole life, but only recently began to suspect dietary causes.  I am now quite sure that most of my issues for the last 40 years have been related to wheat, and now I am reacting to at least one form of Corn as well, as best I can tell on my own here.

 

I'm part of the US demographic that has fallen between the cracks in the medical system, and I have never felt like I had the luxury of medical help.  This is something I intend to work through in the coming months, as it's obvious to me I need some help here. 

That said, I've read enough to know I would like to initiate the testing procedure.   Has anyone had any experience with using a walk-in clinic or the like to take the samples and handle the transfer to the labs to get the testing done?  I am imagining I could just walk in and get blood taken and instruct them which labs and what tests and be done with it, but.....?  I dunno, maybe it won't work that way. 

At any rate, it's going to be a long, difficult process for me to figure out regular health care, and in the meantime, I'd like to figure out what's killing me here! 

 

Any advice is welcome!

Firewrangler,

Have you contacted a doctor lately with your concerns? Specifically asked for testing? 

[RMJ]

13 hours ago, firewrangler said:

So, did you do the "Celiac Complete?"  I think this might be my solution, although the thought of another intentional poisoning is scary right now.  I can't shake the one I gave myself on the New Year.  I suppose I might as well keep the inflammation party going though, as long as I'm not 100% anyway.

 

I did the Celiac Basic, I don't see Celiac Complete but they may have different tests in different areas.  Unfortunately the basic doesn't include DGP.

[firewrangler]

10 hours ago, SLLRunner said:

Firewrangler,

Have you contacted a doctor lately with your concerns? Specifically asked for testing? 

Hi SLrunner.  No, I am just starting to learn about all of this, and am only now understanding that perhaps I have an issue.  I don't really know how to or have the means to access medical care, but I am thinking maybe it's time to start working on that. 

To be honest though, I don't expect that locally I'll get any help for all the trouble of sorting it out.  I live in a small town and....well, I could go on and on, but, no.  I have not seen a doctor.  I wish I could, but....

[firewrangler]

1 hour ago, RMJ said:

I did the Celiac Basic, I don't see Celiac Complete but they may have different tests in different areas.  Unfortunately the basic doesn't include DGP.

Thanks RMJ.  The Complete includes the Anti-Gliadin Anitbodies testing as well, for Gliadin Ab IgG, IgA.

I need to think on all of it, since I have to gluten up to get tested either way.  I'm not sure I can do that again right now, and it appears the end result of diagnosis vs. no diagnosis is exactly the same.  The only reason I can find for myself is to try to convince my brother to get tested, but otherwise, I'm not sure there is any benefit to me at this point.  We'll see.  I might wait until I get poisoned again accidentally and then just roll with it.  I dunno, I'm struggling! 

 

Thanks for all the help so far!