Finding A Knowledgable Supportive Practitioner In Nh

[jkpg]

Hello all - I am new to the list and it sounds like quite a bit of time occurs between symptoms and diagnosis and some misdiagnois as well. I was wondering if there is a list of knowledgable and supportive medical practitioners categorized by state?

About 15 years ago when I was in my late 20's, I developed a large purplish thick patch on my breast which was biopsied. About the same time I had a bout of arthritis - every single joint in my body was inflammed, I could barely walk. I was told I had scleroderma - the patch disappeared and after a week the arthritis basically resolved - flaring up only occassionally.

Last October, I started having *episodes* when I was in big box stores - mainly at the grocery store at checkout. I felt like I was going to pass out. I was having alot of knee and foot pain as well. I attributed this to low blood sugar or too much caffeine. I cut out the caffeine and made sure I drank water and ate before I went out. But the *episodes* continued to happen.

Then in January I suffered a very traumatic loss - my husband died of a heart attack. The episodes started occurring more frequently and more severe. At one point I was taken to the emergency.

I feel like I have had every sort of test you can have - Cat scan, MRI, balance test, heart tests, table tilt test, blood tests ..... I was offered medication for anxiety but since the episodes had occurred prior to the trauma, I didn't feel that this would solve the problem. My blood did come back elevated for autoimmune disease and the rheumatologist said I had scleroderma (later she admitted that her diagnosis was based on previous history and that the blood test can't specify what autoimmune disease I had).

I did see a naturopath and she suggested a gluten free diet - she didn't recommend any testing. I have been on it for several months now although I must say I haven't been strict. I do feel much better and have not had an episode since I have been on the gluten-free diet. I have decided that I am going to be more strict and just recently purchased some fascinating books and cook books.

However, I would really like to confirm the diagnosis of gluten intolerance or celiac disease. This hasn't been suggested or mentioned at all by the medical doctors (I have seen 5 or 6 at least).

Does anyone have any recommendations for practitioners in the Lakes Region of NH to assist with diagnosis?

jkpg

[happygirl]

Hi jkpg,

Welcome to the board. I hope you are able to find some much needed answers.

In order for proper testing of Celiac, you must be eating a normal gluten filled diet.

If no one has a doctor that they recommend, it may help to contact local support groups for ideas.

GIG Open Original Shared Link

CDF Open Original Shared Link

CSA Open Original Shared Link

Another option is to go to a doctor you trust, discuss Celiac with them and ask them to test you for it.