Glutened Before Biopsy?

[ana]

I was the one who asked if a biopsy was really necessary. I had made an appointment and was chickening out because of my fear of anesthetic etc. I have to wait a while before i see the doc again so i need help from people who know.

The other problem is i really want to try the gluten free diet, but do I have to continue to eat gluten until i have the biopsy? I have been so miserable for the past few weeks with stomach cramps and pain. my consultation with the gastroenterologist is not until the end of November! he couldnt' get me in any sooner.

I also have been reading the boards here and there and It almost brought me to tears thinking this might be the answer, i've felt like a freak all my life with my stomach issues. I can't go shopping or out for any length of time because if i eat there's the bathroom issue. I just want to feel better.

my doctor isn't convinced it's celiac because my blood work shows me to be healthy, excepting the positive Glidian panel tests. (I am a careful eater, try to eat nutritiously, excercise regularly.) She forgot or hasn't looked back at my chart over the years where i was anemic, my diagnosis of IBS, had excessive nose bleeds, my skin issues, the time i lost almost all my hair, the time i came to her because i bruised so easily, or the depression for all my life. then there's my teeth. how about the 6 root canals in the past 5 years, my gums were a mess and you'd think i wasn't capable of any dental hygiene (my husband accused me of that) I've struggled with excess weight and the is another thing in her mind, you would be underweight if you had celiac. what iv'e read here, that isn't necessarily true. I'm happy to have found you all.

[happygirl]

Ana,

Welcome to the board! I am happy you have found us.

I just have a few minutes to write, so this will be short, but I wanted to get you some information.

I'm not sure what else your doctor is looking for....you had the positive gliadin test---that is a marker for Celiac!!! What else was he expecting? The Celiac panel is to test for Celiac...no other blood work "measures" Celiac. Ugh, unforunately you are learning that doctors know little to nothing about Celiac, and often, give out INCORRECT information. Obviously, not all doctors are like this...but many are. Your blood tests indicate you have a problem with gluten. Some choose to have the biopsy, others do not.

If you are going to do the biopsy, yes, you HAVE to keep eating gluten. Otherwise you will begin to heal (if you have Celiac) and the biopsy will be WORTHLESS. Trust me, I know. My doctor told me to go gluten free before the procedure....go figure. (He knew nothing about Celiac, obviously).

Celiac has a list of numerous symptoms...ranging from asymptomatic to completely debilitating, and many include contradictions: constipation/diarrhea, overweight/underweight, etc.

Please read the book "Celiac Disease: A hidden epidemic" by Dr. Peter Green, a leading Celiac researcher/physician at Columbia Univ. You can purchase it on amazon or get it at some bookstores. It has so much thorough information and will be a good guide to help you deal with doctors who don't know anything. I use it almost daily for reference and bring it with me to all app'ts.

Also, for typical endoscopies, you will be "heavily sedated" versus general anesthia. You will be "asleep" but not "out."....I've had three

I hope this is a start and can help you some. PM me if there is anything else I can do. We'll help you get through this--we promise! And, ask ANY questions...its a strange disease and we have ALL been there.

Laura