I Met My New Doc And He's The Biggest Jerk

[JenP]

I'm new here and have spent quite a bit time browsing this site for the past couple weeks when I was first told by my first doc that I was probably a celiac. I had positive bloodwork, but a negative biopsy. My doctor seemed overwhelming convinced that I had celiac and said I should start a gluten free diet and see how I feel and call him in a few weeks. I felt really uneasy about doing that all on my own.....no appointment with a nutritionist or anything, he just told me to go get a book. Though he is a gastoenterologist and a very nice guy with a wonderful bedside manner and spent tons of time on the phone talking to me, I felt it was in my best interest to obtain a second opinion. Crohn's diease runs in my family. My Grandpa died of stomach and colon cancer at the age of 50. My doctor did throw the possibility out there of this being Crohn's. So, I started making calls......I phoned my family doctor, and had some friends who had connections with local nutritionists and knew someone who is the head of the Crohn's Colitis Foundation, and they all came up with the same name.....let's just call him Dr. Ego. Everyone said Dr. Ego was THE BEST for Celiac, and Crohn's, and truly the only real specialist in Celiac in my town (I'm in Cleveland Ohio). So, of course, there was a 4 month wait to see him. My family doc phoned his head nurse....and got me an appointment within a week. I went and saw him yesterday. And after waiting nearly 2 hours, I was so relieved to see him and was so anxious to have some of those burning questions answered, I could have kissed the guy. Instead, he came in with a rushed look about him, and spent about the first 5 minutes of my appointment typing into the computer the lab and biopsy results from the previous doctor's report. I started explaining my history, and that I was told about 10 years ago that I had irritable bowel, and that I've never felt great, but have had some good , symptom free times, but ever since I had appendicitis last year, I haven't felt real well since then, and it just seems to be getting worse and worse. He cut me off in the middle of my sentence and said he'd be back in 5 minutes. He left and didn't come back for over 15 minutes. He then spent another few minutes re-reading all the notes he just wrote, because he probably forgot from being out of the room. I start again, to try to explain some symptoms, and again, he cuts me off and tells me to sit on the examining table and started asking if I had any rashes, sores in th mouth, blah blah. I tell him no, but that I have had other symptoms other than GI problems, like joint pain, fatigue, headaches, and again he cuts me off! Tells me basically to be quiet so he can listen to my heartrate. Then he says, well this is what I think....

I wouldn't rush out to start a Gluten Free diet. You haven't had all the appropriate blood work yet. (Apparently I didn't have an endomysial blood test, just the anti-gliadin and transglutamasine tissue tests)

He ordered the endomysial and I did that yesterday, also, when he left the room, I snagged my chart, and saw the blood test results...

Anti-gliadin was 14 and less then 20 is normal.

Transglutamasine was 69 and less than 30 is normal.

So fine, I'll have more bloodwork. No problem. When I asked a question about the bloodwork, he got huffy and said, "I don't know what you don't understand." I left it alone.

Then he says I need a colonoscopy. And he wants to biopsy my colon, and probably do the endoscopy again, because he doesn't know how many biopsies the other doc took, and if he took them from the right places. He also said that he still think I have irratble bowel on top of whatever it is that I have.

Here's the kicker...when I said to him, "I know you're not giving me a diagnosis today, but you've seen so many patients with problems like mine, do you have a feeling, or are you leaning one way versus another?" He looked at me like I had seven heads and said "Didn't you hear anything I just said to you!? It could be anything! You could have Celiac. You could have Crohn's. You could have microscopic Colitis. You could have number of dieases. The list is this high!"

I sat there stunned that a doctor would speak to me in such a condescending tone, and found myself blubbering and apologizing for being confused. I said that it's just hard to take in that it could be something other than Celiac, because my other doctor was convinced that it was Celiac and that you're saying something totally different. He snapped again......."I'm not saying something totally different. He says you do have Celiac. I say maybe you have Celiac and maybe you have other things. I wouldn't call that totally different, just different." He then left and told me to schedule the colonoscopy. I had to compose myself before walking back into the waiting room because he left me crying. I'm far from stupid, but that sure is how he made me feel.

I reluctantly scheduled the colonoscopy. I had the bloodwork done. At this point, though I don't want to be a celiac, I'm almost hoping the endomysial comes back positive, because maybe then I don't have to go through the colonoscopy, and I can start feeling better and be done with this guy. If it comes back negative, that'll suck too, because then I have to worry about Crohn's. And I'll have to continue with Dr. Ego. I would have dropped him like a hot potato, but everyone says, well, he may be a jerk, but he's the best.

I'm just so unhappy right now. I can't sleep. I've got two small children that I feel like I'm snapping at all the time. I've never been so cranky in my whole life. I feel like I'm on a slippery slope and I just keep going more and more downhill. And I feel like I'm stuck with a doc I hate. I loved my first doc, but just wasn't 100% confident with what he was saying. Now I hate Dr. Ego, but I feel like he may know what he's doing.

Any thoughts you guys have would be great. Just talking to someone whose had similar experiences would be helpful.

Thanks for your help guys.........

Jen

[Guest nini]

first of all, I am sorry that a Dr. made you feel stupid, that wasn't right at all...

secondly, your first Dr. was right, with an elevated TtG that is indicitive of a gluten problem and regardless of whether or not it is full blown celiac or just beginning stages or gluten intolerance, the treatment is the same. Chron's and Colitis patients also benefit from the gluten-free diet, so there is some indication that those illnesses are either caused by gluten intolerance or aggravated by it, you can go ahead and go gluten free and continue testing for Chron's and Colitis and intestinal lymphoma's and such, you do not need a Dr.s permission to go on the diet, and you may find that it helps you tremendously. Stick with your first Dr., it sounds like Dr. Ego is too busy to even give you the time of day, and you need quality care. Forget him and his arrogant ways.

[Guest BERNESES]

Oh Jen- I'm so sorry. There is NO EXCUSE for that. I know he's supposed to THE BEST but if he's not listening to you then he's not the best for you. There are far too many cocky doctors out there (what is it with male GI's?) I would just find another doctor (I know you had to wait 4 months for this guy) that you can talk to who will respectfully listen to you, answer your questions and not be rude (I went through three GI's before I found mine).

I had a similar situation with my last GI. Never went back. Also, I think that if your blood work was positive AT ALL, that pretty much seals the deal. But if you want confirmation or other testing, ask friends, family etc for a GI who they feel really listens. I'm so sorry this happened to you. Hugs, Beverly

[JenP]

That's good advice. I'm going to decide what to do next after the endomysial blood test comes back. Dr. Ego told me yesterday that if this one came back negative, that it was highly unlikely that I had Celiac. If it comes back positive, chances are extremely high that I have Celiac. I was going to ask him if it did come back positive, if that meant there was no need for the colonoscopy. Of course I wasn't allowed to talk yesterday so I never got to ask. I'm sure he'd still want to do it. The other thing that really suprised me was that he said I could have had some freaky virus that gave a false positive on the blood test, on top of the IBS that I already have. I thought, how could I have a virus??? I've felt like crap for almost 2 months...what kind of virus can do that! I mean, my stomach has almost always hurt since I was a kid.....but the other symptoms, like the head pain and joint pain just recently started a couple months ago...maybe even a little longer. I was just counting so much on this guy to make me feel confident about my care, and if anything I'm more scared now than ever. He gave me so many uncertainties.....and the thought of having Crohn's or Colitis rattles me big time.

BTW, I love the Cornholio thing...the first time I saw it I laughed so hard. Takes me back to my Beavis and Butthead days.....

[JenP]

Thanks Bev. I came home steaming yesterday and the first thing I said to my husband was "I can't believe I'm going to let that a**hole go up my a**!!! Am I crazy!?" I do have one more name of another GI Doc, the only issue is he's almost an hour away. He apparently has a wonderful bedside manner, I'm just not sure if he "specializes" in this or not the way Dr. Ego does. A family friend had him for her gallbladder surgery last year and she loved him. Like I said, I really liked my first doc, I just felt like he dropped me on my head when he was like, "Go get this book, and call me in a few weeks". I guess I'm just going to have to have some patience.

Thanks for the reply.

Jen

[mouse]

I am so sorry that this jerk treated you this way. He is wrong about a false positive. You can have a false negative, but not a false positive. If it is positive you have Celiac. I personally would get a book and go back to the first doctor. There is a new book out called "Living Gluten-Free for Dummies". Not that your dumb, but it simplifies the starting of a gluten-free diet. Good Luck.

[Guest BERNESES]

Thanks Bev. I came home steaming yesterday and the first thing I said to my husband was "I can't believe I'm going to let that a**hole go up my a**!!! Am I crazy!?"

Jen

That is a VERY good way to look at it- never let an a-hole up your a-hole. Experts don't know everthing. I'd rather have someone who wasn't an "expert" and listened to be and was willing to trouble-shoot with me then an 'expert" who treated me like an a-hole. Wish you could come out here and see my doc- she's a "hot sh*t" and an expert.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

I'm so sorry you had to deal with that !@#$% Doctor Ego. Sounds like he's already doing you harm just by talking to you--can't possibly be good for your blood pressure! So much for the Hippocratic (Hypocritical?) Oath.

Cleveland is only 2 1/2 hours from Pittsburgh. Someone I know raves about Allegheny General Hospital's celiac clinic. I haven't been there because at this point, being off gluten works for me, so why bother with added expenses and time to deal with yet more doctors. My only diagnostic tool so far is an IgG of 64 (I think under 16 was normal)--that, and the fact that I had a very positive response to the diet.

I was totally overwhelmed the first week or so on the diet--and then it suddenly got easy, I don't know why. But this board is the place to come for advice on the diet (and everything else)! everyone here is more than happy to pass on the results of their research, trials, errors, and successes, so ask away! I think people on this board know more than most nutritionists, anyway!

Good luck, and I hope you never have to see Dr. Ego again. (If you can find a picture of him, it might make a good dartboard, or maybe a liner for the litterbox....)

[Ursa Major]

Jen, you didn't really say if you tried the gluten free diet before seeing this arrogant doc? Because if you were gluten free, the bloodwork will likely not mean a thing and will be negative.

I agree with the others, it would be better if you wouldn't go back to this doctor. My policy has always been that if a doctor makes me feel stupid and won't answer my questions in a civil manner, I'd look for somebody else and never go back. Because it simply isn't good for my health to get all upset by somebody who is supposed to help me get healthier!

[tarnalberry]

It sounds like the second doctor isn't a good match for you. He might be a 'good' doctor, but if he isn't a good match for you, it doesn't much matter. Your first doctor sounds like a much better doctor, quite honestly, and he had the right idea, suggesting you start with a book, because most dieticians don't know much about the diet, so it would have been a waste of time and money. Well, this second doctor will get some additional test results for you (and I would follow up with him to get those test results so as not to have wasted the time and money in the tests themselves), and then I would indeed try the diet. IBS is the most common misdiagnosis of celiac disease. Celiac is genetic, so it runs in families, and can cause intestinal cancers. You've got a history that suggests it, and trying the diet *is* a real diagnostic test for the condition.

It's not all that scary of a diet, once you get used to it, and it needn't be that hard. But it's got a learning curve. If it leaves you feeling good, having more energy, and being happier, however, you may find that it's worth the trouble of learning it, and the inconvenience of following it. ;-)

[JenP]

Jen, you didn't really say if you tried the gluten free diet before seeing this arrogant doc? Because if you were gluten free, the bloodwork will likely not mean a thing and will be negative.

I agree with the others, it would be better if you wouldn't go back to this doctor. My policy has always been that if a doctor makes me feel stupid and won't answer my questions in a civil manner, I'd look for somebody else and never go back. Because it simply isn't good for my health to get all upset by somebody who is supposed to help me get healthier!

I have not gone Gluten free. They told me not to because it would interfere with any more tests that they wanted to run. The more I've tried to pay attention to what I'm eating, I am seeing some patterns. For instance, my husband's sicilian family makes breaded chicken and pasta every Sunday, and the past two Sundays I've left there feeling horrible. I had a bagel last Monday morning and felt awful after I ate it. But then I have days where I eat sandwiches and have cereal and have little discomfort. It just seems that as the day goes on I feel worse and worse. My best time of the day for the most part is morning. The other thing I noticed is how I feel when drinking beer. I come from an Irish family and we lOVE our beer. Beer was always my drink of choice when going out....but over the past year I've drank less of it because it seemed like after 2 drinks, I had a really upset stomach. I just thought it was my old age catching up with me......the ripe old age of 30.....

The more I'm reading here, the more I feel like my symptoms match with Celiac and I did get a couple books last week, and it seems like the puzzle pieces are fitting together. But then after my appointment with Dr. Ego, he makes it like I could have any disease under the sun. I'm really anxious to get back the second set of bloodwork. Is it possible to have a positive TTG and a negative endomysial? I'm just tired of all the conflicting info.

I am so sorry that this jerk treated you this way. He is wrong about a false positive. You can have a false negative, but not a false positive. If it is positive you have Celiac. I personally would get a book and go back to the first doctor. There is a new book out called "Living Gluten-Free for Dummies". Not that your dumb, but it simplifies the starting of a gluten-free diet. Good Luck.

Yep, I got it last week. It's a great book. I consider myself to be pretty medically savvy.....I guess you get that way spending half of your life in a doctors office. This book, I thought was one of the better ones in my opinion for simplifying some of the confusing things about Celiac. I thought it'd be good for the hubby to read if it turns out that I'm diagnosed with Celiac.

Thanks for the advice.

[JenP]

It sounds like the second doctor isn't a good match for you. He might be a 'good' doctor, but if he isn't a good match for you, it doesn't much matter. Your first doctor sounds like a much better doctor, quite honestly, and he had the right idea, suggesting you start with a book, because most dieticians don't know much about the diet, so it would have been a waste of time and money. Well, this second doctor will get some additional test results for you (and I would follow up with him to get those test results so as not to have wasted the time and money in the tests themselves), and then I would indeed try the diet. IBS is the most common misdiagnosis of celiac disease. Celiac is genetic, so it runs in families, and can cause intestinal cancers. You've got a history that suggests it, and trying the diet *is* a real diagnostic test for the condition.

It's not all that scary of a diet, once you get used to it, and it needn't be that hard. But it's got a learning curve. If it leaves you feeling good, having more energy, and being happier, however, you may find that it's worth the trouble of learning it, and the inconvenience of following it. ;-)

That's pretty much what Doc #1 said. He kind of waffled a bit about whether or not I should have the colonoscopy, but felt I should just start the diet instead and then do the other if it was necessary. I just didn't feel like I could be the greatest judge of whether or not this was Celiac because I do have days that I feel OK. They're becoming more infrequent as time goes on, but I do have good days. Now I question if some of my GI discomfort is from the stress of all of this...the anxiety of not knowing what's wrong with me. Worrying if my children could have it.....along with all my other worries day to day for my kids. Our family has seen so many health issues....and some of tragic proportions, that I'm constantly a worry wart. I have had health problems my whole life.....most of them due to ovarian cysts and freaky sicknesses and sinus problems. My friends always made fun of me (not in a mean way) but always like, GOD, what's wrong with you now!!?? We've got rampid heart disease in the family.....striking people with their first heartattacks in their early 30's.....I watched my husbands brother die at 33 from a brain anyeursm and we buried him on what was supposed to be his wedding day. Not to mention those everyday pesky illnesses, flu, colds, stomach viruses. I'm just up to my eyeballs with all this nonsense. I woke up this morning with a urinary tract infection. I just want to scream. At this point, I'm almost willing to do anything to feel better. I just wanted something conclusive. Everyone said, don't start that diet until another doctor tells you to do the same thing. It just sucks that they don't totally agree with each other.

Sorry to rattle on.....can you tell I'm stressed?

[JenP]

I'm so sorry you had to deal with that !@#$% Doctor Ego. Sounds like he's already doing you harm just by talking to you--can't possibly be good for your blood pressure! So much for the Hippocratic (Hypocritical?) Oath.

Cleveland is only 2 1/2 hours from Pittsburgh. Someone I know raves about Allegheny General Hospital's celiac clinic. I haven't been there because at this point, being off gluten works for me, so why bother with added expenses and time to deal with yet more doctors. My only diagnostic tool so far is an IgG of 64 (I think under 16 was normal)--that, and the fact that I had a very positive response to the diet.

I was totally overwhelmed the first week or so on the diet--and then it suddenly got easy, I don't know why. But this board is the place to come for advice on the diet (and everything else)! everyone here is more than happy to pass on the results of their research, trials, errors, and successes, so ask away! I think people on this board know more than most nutritionists, anyway!

Good luck, and I hope you never have to see Dr. Ego again. (If you can find a picture of him, it might make a good dartboard, or maybe a liner for the litterbox....)

LOL. I do have a pic. I'm definitely going to look into that. Yep, PA. is not far at all. Obviously I'd hope not to have to cross state lines to get the care I need. I'm in the midst of one of the best hospitals in the country. I just need to find the right Doc.....and it very well may have been doc #1. It's just when I asked him, have you ever had a patient with positive bloodwork, a negative biopsy, and then it turned out in the end that they really were a Celiac? He told me "No, they've always had a positive biopsy." So at that point, I figured, ok, I need another opinion. I have no idea how many biopsies he took, and the only thing he mentioned was the there was a portion at the bottom of my intestine (?) that was red and slightly inflammed. So, when I mentioned this to Dr. Ego, he said he'd probably just do it again while I was having the colonoscopy, because he wasn't sure if the other doc "Biopsied the right area" I'm just anxious to get back the second half of the bloodwork. I was a little put off that Doc #1 didn't order the endomysial before putting me on a diet that I was clueless about. If there's more bloodwork to be done, then why not do it, just to be sure? We'll see......

As far as the people on this board....you're right. Everyone's been great. I've gotten more info here than anywhere else. And everyone is giving me the courage to dump Dr. Ego........

[Guest BERNESES]

Jen- You've been through so much.

Maybe my story will help. I was like you- always getting sick- random weird stuff like cellulitis (not cellulite- the is a dangerous infection), chronic ear infections, what I thought was IBS, lots of "food poisoning" etc. Then my good days started to be fewer and fewer and I started to feel really sick (like bedridden) every once in awhile. I had stopped drinking beer, eating pancakes, because I just didn't feel good after I ate them. Got vioently ill after Thanksgiving (can you say stuffing, bread and pies?) and then again after Christmas. Then it started to be chronic.

I went to my primary care- she said Celiac's or thyroid and thyroid came back fine and celiac's was borderline positive. So I just went gluten-free. Two months later I finally got into see a GI, he biopsied me (one place!) and there was no damage. Duh! One biopsy is really not going to help and I had been gluten-free for two months. So, he told me I could eat gluten (he also told me it was all in my head!). I said, nope. Not touching the stuff. So I stayed gluten free for a year without knowing if I "really" had Celiac's. Didn't care- felt better.

Finally, I got into see my new GI and she was wanted to settle it once and for all. Did a gene test and she decided that the gene (HLA DQ8) that I have and a positive response to the diet was good enough for her.

I say a positive response to the diet is enough.

I had to respond because your story sounded so much like mine- it slowly crept up on me and I never put the pieces of the puzzle together until i was very sick. Hugs, b

[Ursa Major]

Not to mention those everyday pesky illnesses, flu, colds, stomach viruses. I'm just up to my eyeballs with all this nonsense. I woke up this morning with a urinary tract infection.

Those things could all be caused by celiac disease. And stomach viruses? You could just be reacting to gluten, thinking it's a virus.

I used to get urinary tract infections (or so I thought) frequently. Now I realize that every time I eat something wrong (especially gluten or fruit), I get that burning, searing pain in my bladder area, and frequent, painful urination. It's an allergic reaction it seems.

So, it is possible that it's all related, and that all those illnesses will just stop happening once you're gluten free. Also, the inflammation the doctor saw during your endoscopy could very well be caused by celiac disease. So, now that you have had your blood drawn, what stops you from trying the diet right now? The sooner you try it, the better. It will be the ultimate proof as to whether gluten is a problem for you. If it is, you'll feel so much better!

[JenP]

Jen- You've been through so much.

Maybe my story will help. I was like you- always getting sick- random weird stuff like cellulitis (not cellulite- the is a dangerous infection), chronic ear infections, what I thought was IBS, lots of "food poisoning" etc. Then my good days started to be fewer and fewer and I started to feel really sick (like bedridden) every once in awhile. I had stopped drinking beer, eating pancakes, because I just didn't feel good after I ate them. Got vioently ill after Thanksgiving (can you say stuffing, bread and pies?) and then again after Christmas. Then it started to be chronic.

I went to my primary care- she said Celiac's or thyroid and thyroid came back fine and celiac's was borderline positive. So I just went gluten-free. Two months later I finally got into see a GI, he biopsied me (one place!) and there was no damage. Duh! One biopsy is really not going to help and I had been gluten-free for two months. So, he told me I could eat gluten (he also told me it was all in my head!). I said, nope. Not touching the stuff. So I stayed gluten free for a year without knowing if I "really" had Celiac's. Didn't care- felt better.

Finally, I got into see my new GI and she was wanted to settle it once and for all. Did a gene test and she decided that the gene (HLA DQ8) that I have and a positive response to the diet was good enough for her.

I say a positive response to the diet is enough.

I had to respond because your story sounded so much like mine- it slowly crept up on me and I never put the pieces of the puzzle together until i was very sick. Hugs, b

Yep, it sounds familiar. It just seems like whatever is going on, it's taking me down fast. Within 6 weeks I have felt a downward spiral like never before. I ran or did the elliptical machine 3-4 miles a day, 4 days a week. I play singles tennis matches lasting 1 1/2 hours once a week, along with one hour high intensity tennis drills once a week. I did weight training 3 days a week. Bottom line, I can't do any of it anymore. I played tennis last week and just basically lost the match because of fatigue. I could barely make it through an hour. I've tried to weight train. Everytime I start lifting weights, my elbow hurts, or my wrist, or my shoulder, or my knee. I stop. Haven't even attempted to do cardio. That would be a flippin joke. Like I said, I've never felt great.....and about 1 1/2 yrs ago I decided, ok, I'm going to start eating super healthy and work out like a maniac. And it worked to some degree....I got sick less, but once my appendix came out last year, my belly just started to fell ickier and ickier. And then finally I broke down and called the GI in March because I'd had so much heartburn in the past couple months. Then bam, the freight train hit. I just feel bad for my kids. I'm such a crank right now. Their little and need momma not to be so b*tchy! Maybe I should for a few days try not eating gluten and see what happpens. What do I have to lose?

Those things could all be caused by celiac disease. And stomach viruses? You could just be reacting to gluten, thinking it's a virus.

I used to get urinary tract infections (or so I thought) frequently. Now I realize that every time I eat something wrong (especially gluten or fruit), I get that burning, searing pain in my bladder area, and frequent, painful urination. It's an allergic reaction it seems.

So, it is possible that it's all related, and that all those illnesses will just stop happening once you're gluten free. Also, the inflammation the doctor saw during your endoscopy could very well be caused by celiac disease. So, now that you have had your blood drawn, what stops you from trying the diet right now? The sooner you try it, the better. It will be the ultimate proof as to whether gluten is a problem for you. If it is, you'll feel so much better!

You're right, I should just try it. What's the worst that could happen? As far as the UTI goes, they're nothing new for me. I went to the doc today and it was an infection. Now I'm on Cipro. Yeah, something else to aggravate my already sensitive stomach. Can you have immediate reactions to eating gluten, or taking out of your diet? What I mean is, last week I had buckwheat waffles for breakfast, a fruit shake later in the day, and felt good. I then had a sandwich and I mean literally right after I ate it, I didn't feel well. Gas, bloated up, and had heartburn. Can it be that quick? Can just a day without gluten make a difference in some people?

[Ursa Major]

Jen, you sound like you have developed fibromyalgia. Since you haven't had it long, please do yourself a favour and go gluten-free immediately! You might still be able to completely reverse it. You're right, what have you got to lose? Who knows, within a few months, you might be able to play tennis again, and win!

When eating gluten free, you need to remember a few essential things:

You absolutely need a new toaster for yourself if you want to eat gluten-free bread. It is not possible to clean your other toaster well enough to be safe for you to use. The same goes for plastic strainers (the gluten from noodles is very sticky, and impossible to clean out completely), wooden cutting boards, wooden cooking spoons and scratched non-stick cookware. Those are all possible sources of cross contamination. If you will still cook gluten containing foods for the rest of your family, you have to be very careful not to contaminate your own food by stirring with the same spoon for instance (or taste gluteny dishes).

You will need to carefully read all labels if you eat prepared foods. You can absolutely NEVER just take croutons off a salad, or take out the burger from in between a bun to eat. It WILL be contaminated with gluten, and it will make you ill. One crumb can make you sick. It seems the longer we are gluten-free, the more sensitive many of us become.

I am sure you will get more advice from others. I hope you will see a quick improvement! It is so hard looking after kids when you feel bad and have no energy (I sure know, I raised five kids while feeling absolutely awful).

[Guest BERNESES]

jen- O boy! That all soounds familiar. Your surgery may have set it off (it can come after an emotional or physical trauma- like surgery or a virus. For me, it was emotional- the death of my mom). The heartburn, the moodiness, the achey joints, the fatigue. You could try it for a month (wait until after your testing- but try it even if your tests don't come back positive). A month should show you some difference.

Ursula's advice, as always , is great! Stick arround here and you will get so much help. hang in there!

Oh yeah- my GI told me it was IBS. I told him that gluten-free was good for IBS and I was going to stay gluten-free.

[tarnalberry]

That's pretty much what Doc #1 said. He kind of waffled a bit about whether or not I should have the colonoscopy, but felt I should just start the diet instead and then do the other if it was necessary. I just didn't feel like I could be the greatest judge of whether or not this was Celiac because I do have days that I feel OK.

And some days, when you've got a cold, you feel better than others, even if you've still got the cold. Symptoms are only one marker of how healthy you are, sometimes, unfortunately. And, with celiac disease, many people show *no* symptoms at all, but still have significant intestinal damage and increased risk of deficiencies, lymphoma, intestinal cancer, and so on. You don't need two opinions, and the diet isn't 'irreversible', and hence fairly easy to give a try for a while.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

last week I had buckwheat waffles for breakfast, a fruit shake later in the day, and felt good. I then had a sandwich and I mean literally right after I ate it, I didn't feel well. Gas, bloated up, and had heartburn. Can it be that quick? Can just a day without gluten make a difference in some people?

Yes, a day without gluten can make a huge difference--try it and see if it works for you! Also, someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but buckwheat is not the same as wheat, and does not contain gluten. Whatever waffles you had may have also contained wheat or wheat starch, but maybe it wasn't as much gluten as the bread in your sandwich.

Either way, keep us posted!

[Guest BERNESES]

yes- buckwheat is actually a flower I believe and it is gluten-free.