Cedar Rapids, Iowa

[missy'smom]

Can anyone reccommend a GP or GI in or around Cedar Rapids. I'm trying to help my sister into the University of Iowa Celiac clinic and get a biopsy.Last time she went into her GP and asked to be tested , he talked her out of it. She's more aware of her symptoms now. She says she needs a referrral. I told her to call U of I directly and ask them. In the meantime, I'll ask here. She's really not well and doesn't have much will to stand up for herself. Her friend had problems with a local GI and sis is concerned that if she can convince her GP to refer her, he'll send her to same one as friend.

[sherylj]

Can anyone reccommend a GP or GI in or around Cedar Rapids. I'm trying to help my sister into the University of Iowa Celiac clinic and get a biopsy.Last time she went into her GP and asked to be tested , he talked her out of it. She's more aware of her symptoms now. She says she needs a referrral. I told her to call U of I directly and ask them. In the meantime, I'll ask here. She's really not well and doesn't have much will to stand up for herself. Her friend had problems with a local GI and sis is concerned that if she can convince her GP to refer her, he'll send her to same one as friend.

Just want to say good luck,,,I know it is tough to find the right dr. But please don't give up.

[chatycady]

She does not need a referral, unless her insurance requires it. However, the Dr. that was in Iowa City and who established the celiac unit is now in Rochester at Mayo. Everyone loved him and said he was very good. I would recommend Mayo.

I am in Dubuque and the Dr's here don't know how to order the proper blood tests. (Celiac Panel)

The dietician at HyVee however was extremely helpful. She talked to me, gave me a food list, websites, and spent time looking at my food I had in my grocery cart. At least get her started on the diet. They have Hy Vee's in Cedar Rapids.

I hope the best for both of you and will pray for both of you. Let me know what you decide!

Chaty

[missy'smom]

Thank you for the response and for your prayers. I talked with the University today and they said they need her to be referred. Also her insurance needs the referral. But I think I've gotten her to be willing to give it a good try again. She went through alot trying to get a diagnosis for seizures and never got one so had given up and accepted and lost hope. I'm trying to contact a support group in IA too to see if they can help.

Update: Before I posted my original post, I did a search her for Cedar Rapids and found an old post with support groups in IA listed. One was Waverly, far from her but I e-mailed them and asked if they had a contact for CR. I just got an e-mail back and they gave me the info. for a CR support group. Yeah! so, it sounds like we're on our way to finding a Doc. Thanks to whoever posted that list a while ago.

[infiore]

Thank you for the response and for your prayers. I talked with the University today and they said they need her to be referred. Also her insurance needs the referral. But I think I've gotten her to be willing to give it a good try again. She went through alot trying to get a diagnosis for seizures and never got one so had given up and accepted and lost hope. I'm trying to contact a support group in IA too to see if they can help.

Update: Before I posted my original post, I did a search her for Cedar Rapids and found an old post with support groups in IA listed. One was Waverly, far from her but I e-mailed them and asked if they had a contact for CR. I just got an e-mail back and they gave me the info. for a CR support group. Yeah! so, it sounds like we're on our way to finding a Doc. Thanks to whoever posted that list a while ago.

Hi! I am new here to the forum, my daughter has been diagnosed with seizures (she's 5) and a kinesiologist we took her to reccommended we take her off gluten. She has a pediatric neurologist we take her to and she is taking topamax for seizures (her seizure symptom is upward eye rolling). We had her tested for gluten intolerance through bloodwork but it didn't show her to be intolerant according to the levels. I would love to know if anyone else has had a similar experience and also I live in Waverly, IA- I wondered if anyone knew of any good doctors or support groups? I would love to take her off gluten in hopes of seizure control but even the ped neurologist says going gluten free won't help, as it only helps kids with autism.

Thanks so much!

[missy'smom]

The contact for the support group in Waverly is rbbast@webiowaplus.net I found it by clicking on the Example search above and erasing tomato sauce and typing in waverly. There are other support groups listed for Iowa as well. The lady from Waverly responded quickly and was very helpful. Good luck.

[Katydid]

Thank you for the response and for your prayers. I talked with the University today and they said they need her to be referred. Also her insurance needs the referral. But I think I've gotten her to be willing to give it a good try again. She went through alot trying to get a diagnosis for seizures and never got one so had given up and accepted and lost hope. I'm trying to contact a support group in IA too to see if they can help.

Update: Before I posted my original post, I did a search her for Cedar Rapids and found an old post with support groups in IA listed. One was Waverly, far from her but I e-mailed them and asked if they had a contact for CR. I just got an e-mail back and they gave me the info. for a CR support group. Yeah! so, it sounds like we're on our way to finding a Doc. Thanks to whoever posted that list a while ago.

Just thought I'd jump in here to let you know that Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa will do a celiac panel blood test for $20.00 with no doctor's referral. Perhaps if she can obtain a positive blood test, the doctor wouldn't be so resistent to ordering the biopsy. (or if she had a positive blood test maybe the medical center would refer her)

I can't believe these doctors! I had a friend who asked her GI for the celiac blood test because she had celiac symptoms. He refused saying "No, I'm the doctor here and I don't think you have celiac" She was very disappointed because he had been treating her for an intestinal infection and diverticulitis for months and she hadn't improved and was getting sicker and weaker by the day. She decided she didn't need his permission to go on the gluten free diet, so she did. She noticed drastic improvement in one week; and in a month she was starting to feel like her old self. When she reported this to the doctor his response was "It must just be a coincidence". The woman is in her early 70's and a year ago was too sick and weak to attend her own brother's funeral and today she the picture of health, constantly on the go; and has recently enrolled in some college classes.

[missy'smom]

Thank you for the support and info. I'll pass it on.