Looking For Doctor In Baltimore, Md Area

[haphenomenon]

I have been gluten free for almost a year now, but have had no positive diagnosis. I had one doctor (gastroenterologist) who didnt really listen and prescribed a drug called raglan- which "empties the stomach out faster" in his words.

I started to read up myself and decided to stop eating wheat, at which point my symptoms decreased and I started feeling better. The doctor accepted this and even though the blood test was negative prescribed me to believe I have wheat sensitivity and stick with it. Needless to say I dont want to return to him.

I have further deduced that it is gluten I am sensitive to as I have almost immediate reactions of bleching and cramps. Well, after joining this forum and reading and looking into the enterolab tests I find myself wanting a definitive diagnosis. I am wondering if there is a doctor not only willing to accept the results but possible insurance coverage for the tests?

I also am just interested in finding a good GP who not only understands the gluten thing but is sympathetic to some nutritional and non western approaches to healing. Any suggestions as to where to find one?

[Guest gillian502]

If you're in Baltimore, the first place I'd try would be Johns Hopkins. Another possibility is the University of Md. Celiac Center for Disease Research.

[Sara Lydia]

I am in College Park, MD. I asked the same question trying to find a specialist familiar with Celiac Disease. YOu'd think with Johns Hopkins and UMD theyd be easy to find, but nope. I've had horrible luck with docs here.

However, the local Celiac Support Chapter highly reccommends this guy:

Dr. Michael Epstein of the Digestive Disorder Assoc, Annapolis, Md. telephone number 410 224-4887 .... he can also be seen in Glen Burnie Maryland on Mondays or Wednesdays I think.

I am seeing him on the 19th, his next opening is in late August, but they said the other docs there are very familiar. Good luck.

Sara

[Guest gillian502]

I'm in Rockville, and I had no trouble finding Celiac specialists at JH or U. of Md., but I did have to wait 10 weeks to see them! That was no fun, I'll admit. I'm seeing Dr. Alessio Fasano in July at the U.ofMd. Celiac Center, I'll post how that goes if anyone else needs the info.

[haphenomenon]

Thank you so much for the help! I really appreciate your responses.

I'm going to call both doctors suggested and

try to hook up with the local celiac support group.

thanks, julie

[miup2l8]

Hi - I seem to have had the same problem about getting diagnosed....my

(ex)dr who is a gastroenterologist, basically said - "you're not losing weight so I wouldn't worry about it too much! Come back and see me in three years for a follow-up colonoscopy" Yeah! Riiiiiight!

Anyhow, I found a dr in Annapolis - Dr Suzanne Sankey of the Annapolis Gastroenterologist Assoc. 410)224-2116 (703 Giddings Ave. Suite M). She also has an office in Severna Park - if you're familiar with that area. The office phone number there is 410)647-5980.

The only problem is that Dr Sankey seems to be extremely busy; when I called for an appt last week, the earliest I can get in is 09/02! There are other drs in her office that I might have been able to get an earlier appt with but her name was listed at another website that I was reading about Celiac so I'm willing to wait. After all, I've already had the problem for a long time so 2 months more is not going to kill me (hopefully)

I too have started avoiding gluten and have started feeling much much better.

Hope this information helps you some!