Dr NYC who takes HealthFirst

[Elli-]

Hey guys!

I'ec long used these forums for info over the years.  First post ever!

I know this has probably been covered but for some reason the search is not working for me on this device.  I am looking for a dr who is more open minded abt celiac in NYC who takes HealthFirst.

 

My story is I've been sick for years and in like 2006 a chiropractor suggested I might have a gluten issue.  I thought he was totally full of it but my car was broken and I was bored so I tried the diet...lo and behold I stopped getting sick 3-4 time a week!  I stayed gluten free from that time to today and I guess that is 10-11 yrs now!

Over the years I've mainly been on the heavier side with occassional situations where I have rapid weight loss and cannot stop losing weight.  Then I'm all "oh thank god I was fat!"  Hahahahahha!  Although I don't get sick as often as I used to, I do ocassionally still get sick.  I always thought it was cause of cross contamination or something.  But I feel like something has changed.  

I just got this awesome health ins through the ACA and I can totally see a dr now.  I saw a Gastroenterologist today but he was less than thrilled with the idea I might have celiac.  He ordered a colonoscopy.  He told me celiac is "trendy" and that it was "very hard to have a gluten free diet".  I told him I have had one for 7 years (I had not done the math for a while until a few minutes ago).  I really liked the guy - he was super sweet and awesome!  But I felt like he was close minded.  I mean, maybe it IS trendy to be gluten-free but still that doens't stop the fact that some ppl will have celiac/GS et alias.  

I know I've been gluten-free for a long enough time that maybe the gut has healed, but I did want to talk to a dr that is not ready to exclude the Gluten Diseases out of hand.  Like maybe a specialist.  I have only this health insurance Healthfirst Managed Medicaid.  Does anyone have any advice as far as doctors in the area?  I am a musician so Im a little tight on funds and it would be better if it could be in my plan.  

Thanks you guys!  <3. Ellie

[cyclinglady]

3 hours ago, Ellie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! said:

Hey guys!

I'ec long used these forums for info over the years.  First post ever!

I know this has probably been covered but for some reason the search is not working for me on this device.  I am looking for a dr who is more open minded abt celiac in NYC who takes HealthFirst.

 

My story is I've been sick for years and in like 2006 a chiropractor suggested I might have a gluten issue.  I thought he was totally full of it but my car was broken and I was bored so I tried the diet...lo and behold I stopped getting sick 3-4 time a week!  I stayed gluten free from that time to today and I guess that is 10-11 yrs now!

Over the years I've mainly been on the heavier side with occassional situations where I have rapid weight loss and cannot stop losing weight.  Then I'm all "oh thank god I was fat!"  Hahahahahha!  Although I don't get sick as often as I used to, I do ocassionally still get sick.  I always thought it was cause of cross contamination or something.  But I feel like something has changed.  

I just got this awesome health ins through the ACA and I can totally see a dr now.  I saw a Gastroenterologist today but he was less than thrilled with the idea I might have celiac.  He ordered a colonoscopy.  He told me celiac is "trendy" and that it was "very hard to have a gluten free diet".  I told him I have had one for 7 years (I had not done the math for a while until a few minutes ago).  I really liked the guy - he was super sweet and awesome!  But I felt like he was close minded.  I mean, maybe it IS trendy to be gluten-free but still that doens't stop the fact that some ppl will have celiac/GS et alias.  

I know I've been gluten-free for a long enough time that maybe the gut has healed, but I did want to talk to a dr that is not ready to exclude the Gluten Diseases out of hand.  Like maybe a specialist.  I have only this health insurance Healthfirst Managed Medicaid.  Does anyone have any advice as far as doctors in the area?  I am a musician so Im a little tight on funds and it would be better if it could be in my plan.  

Thanks you guys!  <3. Ellie

You are like my hubby.  He has been gluten-free for 15 years per the poor advice of his GP and my allergist (I was formally diagnosed 3 years ago).  Does hubby have celiac disease?  We will NEVER know because he refuses to do a gluten challenge.  I can not blame him.  Eating three months of gluten for the blood tests would make him very sick and he is the breadwinner of the family.

 

[caretothepeople]

Hi Ellie! Maybe the Celiac Disease Foundation can point you in the direction of a doctor in NYC. Take a look at their site - they have a doctor finder tool. Many of the major medical centers here have centers that specialized in Celiac Disease, so those could be a potential resource.

Also, I think using ZocDoc you can enter what insurance you have and it'll bring up specialists who take your insurance (call to confirm). You can read reviews from other patients which can be helpful.

There's a meetup group in NYC called New York City Celiac Disease Meetup which could be another place to connect with others in the community.

Hope this helps and maybe others have specific referrals!

[Elli-]

Hey guys!  Thanks for the answers!  Still looking - hahahahha, I know it’s been a year and a half by now.  Things have changed for me a bit.  I did see a doctor I got through Zocdoc who was supposed to be a celiac expert (although he takes all kinds of GI issues) and he told me to like eat a donut a few days ahead of a stomach biopsy and then he could tell if I had celiac.  [eyeroll].  I’ve been gluten-free for 11 yrs so.  These guys just do NOT ant to even talk about celiac.  It is so weird.  Ima hit that meetup maybe!  Thanks so much for you guys’ helpl. Sorry it took so long - I forgot my credentials! 

[squirmingitch]

Ellie!!!!!!!!!! has found a great doc in NYC. His name is  Dr. Andrew Blank in NYC.

You can see her post in this thread: