Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Newbie Here - This Place Is Great!

ArtGirl

Recommended Posts

ArtGirl Enthusiast
ArtGirl
Posted

Hello,

THANK YOU EVERYONE HERE AND ESPECIALLY TO THOSE WHO STARTED THIS gluten-free-FORUM!!

I've been lurking here for a couple weeks and have to say that I've learned gobs about gluten and celiac disease. I've had IBS problems for years and have begun to suspect being celiac, but at the very least, am gluten intollerant.

My symptoms are delayed and I've never really known how to "read" them. But, after reading what you all here have said, I am beginning to be able to tell when I've eaten gluten (or possibly casein, or both) by what happens to my body the following few days.

I ate at Applebee's last Friday, began getting bad D 15 hours later on Sat. morning, and felt yukky, dizzy, foggy-brained and flat out exhausted until Mon. morning. All the stuff that I've experienced in the past without a clue to what I had eaten (or when) that triggered the symptoms. NOW I KNOW WHY! (I later searched for Applebee's and discovered that it is not a celiac-friendly restaurant.)

I've been searching like mad for restaurants and food products and have a list of safe places and foods that I wouldn't ever have found on my own. I'm soooo glad I found this place!

I plan to get tested by Enterolab in the near future. Have been without insurance for the last 10 years and since my husband retired from the Army Reserves last month, we now have health insurance.

Does anyone know if health insurance companies are likely to reimburse tests like this without my first having seen a doctor? (I don't "do" MDs if I can help it.)

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted

Welcome!

I didn't try to find out if they'd cover it. I guess I wasn't up for the fight. I agree with you about MD's! Anyway, Enterolab ended up being less expensive than my portion of the other tests after insurance paid their part!!

Carla

Guest Robbin
Guest Robbin
Posted

I'm still fussing with my insurance co. over reimbursement, but I really suspected it would be a fight at the outset. It was money well spent. I would have always been questioning myself and no one in my family would have taken me seriously. I applaud your M.D. avoidance. I am at that point myself. I am so glad you found this forum. It has been a lifesaver for me as well. Welcome :)

mouse Enthusiast
mouse
Posted

Welcome Velda and I am glad that you have found this forum very helpful. I have been gluten-free for 28 months and I still learn something new from this forum. Remember that we do not consider any question stupid.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to mamaof7's topic in Parents, Friends and Loved Ones of Celiacs
      6

      Help understand results

      That test is saying that your daughter is not making normal amounts of any IGA antibodies. She's not making normal amounts of antibodies against gliadin, not against bacteria, not against viruses. She is deficient in total IGA, so the test for antigliadin antibodies is not valid. The test was a failure. The test only works if all different kinds of antibodies...
    2. knitty kitty
      0

      Vitamins I Take

    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to hjayne19's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      10

      Insomnia help

      @hjayne19, So glad you found the information helpful. I know how difficult my struggle with anxiety has been. I've been finding things that helped me and sharing that with others makes my journey worthwhile. I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex. It contains the easily activated forms of B vitamins needed by people with the MTHFR...
    4. trents
      - trents replied to pothosqueen's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Positive biopsy

      Welcome to the celiac.com community @pothosqueen! Can you be more specific about which IGA test was run that resulted in 114 score and said to be "normal" and could you please include the reference range for what would be normal? By the size of that number it looks like it may have been what we call "total IGA" but that test is not usually run...
    5. pothosqueen
      - pothosqueen posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Positive biopsy

      Upper endoscopy last week resulted in positive biopsy for celiac disease. The IgA they ran was normal (114). Does positive biopsy automatically mean definitive diagnosis?
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,991
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    jwhite45
    Newest Member
    jwhite45
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Help understand results

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      That test is saying that your daughter is not making normal amounts of any IGA antibodies.  She's not making normal amounts of antibodies against gliadin, not against bacteria, not against viruses.  She is deficient in total IGA, so the test for antigliadin antibodies is not valid.  The test was a failure.  The test only works if all different kinds of antibodies were being made.  Your daughter is not making all different kinds of antibodies, so the test results are moot.  Your daughter should have the DGP IgG and TTG IgG tests done.   The tests should be performed while she is still consuming gluten.  Stopping and restarting a gluten containing diet can make her more sick, just like you refuse to eat gluten for testing.  Call the doctor's office, request both the IGG tests. Request to be put on the cancellation list for an appointment sooner.  Ask for genetic testing.   Celiac disease is passed on from parents to children.  You and all seven children should be tested for genes for Celiac disease.  Your parents, your siblings and their children should be tested as well.  Eating gluten is not required for genetic testing because your genes don't change.  Genetic testing is not a diagnosis of Celiac disease.  Just having the genes means there is the potential of developing Celiac disease if the Celiac genes are activated.  Genetic testing helps us decide if the Celiac genes are activated when coupled with physical symptoms, antibody testing, and biopsy examination. It's frustrating when doctors get it wrong and we suffer for it.  Hang in there.  You're a good mom for pursuing this!  
    • knitty kitty
      Insomnia help

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @hjayne19, So glad you found the information helpful.  I know how difficult my struggle with anxiety has been.  I've been finding things that helped me and sharing that with others makes my journey worthwhile. I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex.  It contains the easily activated forms of B vitamins needed by people with the MTHFR genetic variation often found with Celiac disease.   Avoid B Complex vitamins if they contain Thiamine Mononitrate if possible.  (Read the ingredients listing.)  Thiamine Mononitrate is the "shelf-stable" form of B 1 that the body can't utilize.  B vitamins breakdown when exposed to heat and light, and over time.  So "shelf-stable" forms won't breakdown sitting on a shelf in a bright store waiting to be bought.  (It's also very cheap.)  Thiamine Mononitrate is so shelf-stable that the body only absorbs about thirty percent of it, and less than that is utilized.  It takes thiamine already in the body to turn Thiamine Mononitrate into an active form.   I take MegaBenfotiamine by Life Extension.  Benfotiamine has been shown to promote intestinal healing, neuropathy, brain function, glycemic control, and athletic performance.   I take TTFD-B1 Max by Maxlife Naturals, Ecological Formulas Allthiamine (TTFD), or Thiamax by EO Nutrition.  Thiamine Tetrahydrofurfuryl Disulfide (TTFD for short) gets into the brain and makes a huge difference with the anxiety and getting the brain off the hamster wheel.  Especially when taken with Magnesium Threonate.   Any form of Thiamine needs Magnesium to make life sustaining enzymes and energy.  I like NeuroMag by Life Extension.  It contains Magnesium Threonate, a form of magnesium that easily crosses the blood brain barrier.  My brain felt like it gave a huge sigh of relief and relaxed when I started taking this and still makes a difference daily.   Other brands of supplements i like are Now Foods, Amazing Formulas, Doctor's Best, Nature's Way, Best Naturals, Thorne, EO Nutrition. Naturewise.  But I do read the ingredients labels all the time just to be sure they are gluten and dairy free. Glad to help with further questions.  
    • trents
      Positive biopsy

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the celiac.com community @pothosqueen!   Can you be more specific about which IGA test was run that resulted in 114 score and said to be "normal" and could you please include the reference range for what would be normal? By the size of that number it looks like it may have been what we call "total IGA" but that test is not usually run without also running a TTG-IGA. Total IGA tests for IGA deficiency. If someone is IGA deficient, then the celiac-specific IGA tests like the TTG-IGA will be inaccurate. Was this the only IGA test that was run? To answer, your question, yes, a positive biopsy is normally definitive for celiac disease but there are some other medical conditions, some medications and even some food proteins in rare cases that can cause positive biopsies. But it is pretty unlikely that it is due to anything other than celiac disease.
    • pothosqueen
      Positive biopsy

      By pothosqueen · Posted

      Upper endoscopy last week resulted in positive biopsy for celiac disease. The IgA they ran was normal (114). Does positive biopsy automatically mean definitive diagnosis?
    • hjayne19
      Mallorca Guide

      By hjayne19 · Posted

      This is great thank you very much @Scott Adams
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.