Would You Trust The Allergist?

[bareden]

Before I was diagnosed with Celiac my allergist did discover that I had a wheat allergy. Then she proceded to say, "Well, don't worry. There are many other options. You can use spelt flour." Wait- when I read the label on spelt it said wheat! Why would an allergist not know that? Would you trust this allergist with your health? I really need to find an allergist and a family doctor who is a little more knowledgeable on Celiac. I just started seeing a new family doctor but she doesn't seem to know much either. How do I find a good doctor?

[Mom23boys]

Before I was diagnosed with Celiac my allergist did discover that I had a wheat allergy. Then she proceded to say, "Well, don't worry. There are many other options. You can use spelt flour." Wait- when I read the label on spelt it said wheat! Why would an allergist not know that? Would you trust this allergist with your health? I really need to find an allergist and a family doctor who is a little more knowledgeable on Celiac. I just started seeing a new family doctor but she doesn't seem to know much either. How do I find a good doctor?

IMO it is hard. At this point I believe it is MY responsibility to research and to know what is going on with me and what the normal practices are for medicating and dealing with health issues.

My first allergist said "adults cannot be allergic to milk". I said, "its my dollar test me anyway". During the test the nurse runs out and gets the dr to look at the reaction growing on my arm. Guess which one it was!?!?!? My last allergist told me my anaphylactic reaction was all in my head. I had 5 witnesses to the event. They imagined it too. After getting through with the whole allergy speech with the kids dr about 2 of them being milk allergic he said to give them yogurt with their antibiotics. My cousin went in to her dr with heartburn and nausea he was preparing to take her gall bladder out -- next month she had a bouncing baby boy (she was told she could never have a baby).

If something doesn't sound right or I don't understand it, I question the dr. Thankfully my kids have a cool dr who can tollerate me.

[gfgypsyqueen]

I always feel that Drs are just like regular people. Some people you just get along with and have an easy friendship and other people drive you crazy from day one. Most people can use any dr and do fine. Celiacs have such specialized needs that I think it is very important to find a Dr who is willing to listen to you, learn about Celiacs, and work to find a resolution for the issues. Typically I ask very vague questions about Celiacs and food allergies when I go to a new Dr. Then I wait to hear the response. There response dictates whether or not I will ever go back. One Dr actually got excited to hear I had CEliacs. He was the best Dr by far. Other Drs have told me some crazy thoughts about Celiacs and food allergies. Some Drs are willing to ask me questions and have a conversation to learn more about my health issues and what I am going through. I like these Drs. Other Drs tell me exactly what is in my head and what is wrong with me without a single test. I don't go back. Some of my favorite Drs tell me exactly what is wrong, then order the tests, then acknowldge the right and the wrong diagnosis until we find what works for me. In the end it is a process of in depth interviews of Drs until you find one you like. Your crazy allergist has got to go!

[HAK1031]

Your allergist was correct actually. Spelt is a tetraploid (4 sets of chromosomes) species of wheat that is different enough to be safe for (some) people with wheat allergies, for whom the gluten in the wheat is not the problem. It is NOT safe for celiacs, but your allergist was correct. I say stay unless there's something else that makes you uncomfortable.

[bareden]

That is very good information. Thank you.

[sneezydiva]

Your allergist was correct actually. Spelt is a tetraploid (4 sets of chromosomes) species of wheat that is different enough to be safe for (some) people with wheat allergies, for whom the gluten in the wheat is not the problem. It is NOT safe for celiacs, but your allergist was correct. I say stay unless there's something else that makes you uncomfortable.

I totally agree. There are actually 4 different proteins in wheat, gluten just being one of them. Many people who are allergic to wheat can eat barley and rye just fine, because it is the wheat specific proteins they are allergic to, not gluten. So as far as getting a throrough food allergy work-up, I would trust her. I wouldn't count on her knowing much about celiac disease, nor would I hold it against her.

[HelpKid101]

I know what you mean but i would never trust an allergist celiac is an autoimmune disorder as a allergy is not with celiac your body is literally attacking itself because gluten is like posing to your body it can cause things like cancer, lupus , and much more an allergy can not hope this helps

[kbtoyssni]

This allergist sounds knowledgeable about allergies. Many wheat allergic people can eat spelt (HAK1031 explained it well) even though the spelt protein is similar enough to wheat that celiacs can't eat it. HOWEVER, allergies and celiac are two very different things. I have no idea if this allergist will know anything about celiac. If she's just an allergist, be probably can't test you for celiac. If she's a little less mainstream she may be familiar with celiac and the symptoms and dietary restrictions of it.