Need To Find A Good Dr In Florida--please Help!

[mom26boys]

Can anyone suggest a good doctor in Florida? I live in the Central Florida area (Orlando), but at this point I'm willing to travel anywhere.

I have a positive blood test (endomysial ab (iga) screen), and my gp says I need to see a gastro. Went to one today and he was horrible! He sounded like he was in the dark ages when it came to celiac. He called it "sprue", and said I couldn't possibly have it because I'm too fat. He didn't bother to listen to what I had to say, especially that I had tried going gluten-free for 3 weeks and felt great and actually lost weight, which I haven't been able to do in 5 years! He was more interested in putting me on a diet and exercise program (as if I've never tried that!!!) and told me I needed to bring him workout logs signed by a trainer at the Y or he wouldn't consider them valid--how insulting!!!

Anyway, I would love to find a gastro that will actually listen to me. I already know I need to go gluten-free, but I would like to have the endoscopy done because there is a possible undiagnosed history in my family--father died of liver chirrosis, grandmother of stomach cancer, etc. Any input from anyone would be greatly appreciated!!!

[sylviaann]

Can anyone suggest a good doctor in Florida? I live in the Central Florida area (Orlando), but at this point I'm willing to travel anywhere.

I have a positive blood test (endomysial ab (iga) screen), and my gp says I need to see a gastro. Went to one today and he was horrible! He sounded like he was in the dark ages when it came to celiac. He called it "sprue", and said I couldn't possibly have it because I'm too fat. He didn't bother to listen to what I had to say, especially that I had tried going gluten-free for 3 weeks and felt great and actually lost weight, which I haven't been able to do in 5 years! He was more interested in putting me on a diet and exercise program (as if I've never tried that!!!) and told me I needed to bring him workout logs signed by a trainer at the Y or he wouldn't consider them valid--how insulting!!!

Anyway, I would love to find a gastro that will actually listen to me. I already know I need to go gluten-free, but I would like to have the endoscopy done because there is a possible undiagnosed history in my family--father died of liver chirrosis, grandmother of stomach cancer, etc. Any input from anyone would be greatly appreciated!!!

Hi There,

I live east of Tampa and encountered the same problem. I have yet to find a GI doctor in my area who is well educated on Celiac Disease. I travel to Atlanta to see Dr. Cynthia Rudert 2 x per year (she was my former doctor and is the only Celiac Specialist in the southeast). Since you have a formal diagnosis and strong family history, you may want to seriously consider seeing her. She will spend quality time with you, is extremely knowledgable and a great listener!

Please let me now if I can help you further!

Warmest regards,

Sylvia Ann

[Chuck8268]

Hi There,

I live east of Tampa and encountered the same problem. I have yet to find a GI doctor in my area who is well educated on Celiac Disease. I travel to Atlanta to see Dr. Cynthia Rudert 2 x per year (she was my former doctor and is the only Celiac Specialist in the southeast). Since you have a formal diagnosis and strong family history, you may want to seriously consider seeing her. She will spend quality time with you, is extremely knowledgable and a great listener!

Please let me now if I can help you further!

Warmest regards,

Sylvia Ann

I found out the NEWER Doctors seem much more well aware of celiac than the oldtimers. My new doc ran celiac test First after she saw my previous testing done by my old doc

Chuck

[twe0708]

Can anyone suggest a good doctor in Florida? I live in the Central Florida area (Orlando), but at this point I'm willing to travel anywhere.

I have a positive blood test (endomysial ab (iga) screen), and my gp says I need to see a gastro. Went to one today and he was horrible! He sounded like he was in the dark ages when it came to celiac. He called it "sprue", and said I couldn't possibly have it because I'm too fat. He didn't bother to listen to what I had to say, especially that I had tried going gluten-free for 3 weeks and felt great and actually lost weight, which I haven't been able to do in 5 years! He was more interested in putting me on a diet and exercise program (as if I've never tried that!!!) and told me I needed to bring him workout logs signed by a trainer at the Y or he wouldn't consider them valid--how insulting!!!

Anyway, I would love to find a gastro that will actually listen to me. I already know I need to go gluten-free, but I would like to have the endoscopy done because there is a possible undiagnosed history in my family--father died of liver chirrosis, grandmother of stomach cancer, etc. Any input from anyone would be greatly appreciated!!!

I live in Tampa, FL and just went to Dr. Feldman last Monday and he did blood work and since my tests came back pointing to celiac disease he scheduled me yesterday for a Colonoscopy which confirmed his diagnosis. His number is 813-972-2324.

[mapchick]

Can anyone suggest a good doctor in Florida? I live in the Central Florida area (Orlando), but at this point I'm willing to travel anywhere.

I have a positive blood test (endomysial ab (iga) screen), and my gp says I need to see a gastro. Went to one today and he was horrible! He sounded like he was in the dark ages when it came to celiac. He called it "sprue", and said I couldn't possibly have it because I'm too fat. He didn't bother to listen to what I had to say, especially that I had tried going gluten-free for 3 weeks and felt great and actually lost weight, which I haven't been able to do in 5 years! He was more interested in putting me on a diet and exercise program (as if I've never tried that!!!) and told me I needed to bring him workout logs signed by a trainer at the Y or he wouldn't consider them valid--how insulting!!!

Anyway, I would love to find a gastro that will actually listen to me. I already know I need to go gluten-free, but I would like to have the endoscopy done because there is a possible undiagnosed history in my family--father died of liver chirrosis, grandmother of stomach cancer, etc. Any input from anyone would be greatly appreciated!!!

I don't know if you are still looking for a good Gastroenterologist but I just went to Dr Henry Levine at the Center for Digestive Health in Orlando, FL. His office is off of Mills Ave near the OMA. After having undiagnosed and misdiagnosed Celiac disease for years Dr Levine focused in on it within the first few minutes of my initial consult. He asked about my ethnic background and listen to the problems I was having and my eating habits. I had a blood test, a barium xray (to rule out acid reflux, which all the other doctors treated me for), an ultrsound to check my gallbadder and liver and an upper endoscopy (he performed at a diagnostic wing in the practice's offices). I found out Tuesday that I have Celiac. Dr Levine is an experienced professional. I would recommend him to go over your family history. He zeroed in on my heritage and understands the relationship between heredity and external triggers.

Good Luck! I hope you can achieve a healthy understanding of what is ailing you and can get to feeling better soon!

[MJS]

My family and I went to the University of Florida hospital. They know what they are doing, did my endoscopy fine and diagnosed me right after.

[EditDiva]

I don't know if you are still looking for a good Gastroenterologist but I just went to Dr Henry Levine at the Center for Digestive Health in Orlando, FL. His office is off of Mills Ave near the OMA. After having undiagnosed and misdiagnosed Celiac disease for years Dr Levine focused in on it within the first few minutes of my initial consult. He asked about my ethnic background and listen to the problems I was having and my eating habits. I had a blood test, a barium xray (to rule out acid reflux, which all the other doctors treated me for), an ultrsound to check my gallbadder and liver and an upper endoscopy (he performed at a diagnostic wing in the practice's offices). I found out Tuesday that I have Celiac. Dr Levine is an experienced professional. I would recommend him to go over your family history. He zeroed in on my heritage and understands the relationship between heredity and external triggers.

Good Luck! I hope you can achieve a healthy understanding of what is ailing you and can get to feeling better soon!

Thank you for this info!! I'm newly diagnosed (by my primary care Dr... Which I guess it's a miracle that she thought of Celiac, now that I'm reading up on everyone's trails and tribulations with being diagnosed...!). But she sent me to two GI doctors who don't know ANYTHING about Celiac. When I had my endoscopy done, right before I went under the GI doc said, "Well, I KNOW you don't have Celiac sprue, but we'll do the procedure anyway." Very rude to be telling me this now. And he only did one biopsy, which thankfully showed the blunted vili.

Anyway. Now I'm looking for a GI doc in Orlando who knows about Celiac. So thanks for posting this!!

[CHARBEEGOOD]

I don't know if you are still looking for a good Gastroenterologist but I just went to Dr Henry Levine at the Center for Digestive Health in Orlando, FL. His office is off of Mills Ave near the OMA. After having undiagnosed and misdiagnosed Celiac disease for years Dr Levine focused in on it within the first few minutes of my initial consult. He asked about my ethnic background and listen to the problems I was having and my eating habits. I had a blood test, a barium xray (to rule out acid reflux, which all the other doctors treated me for), an ultrsound to check my gallbadder and liver and an upper endoscopy (he performed at a diagnostic wing in the practice's offices). I found out Tuesday that I have Celiac. Dr Levine is an experienced professional. I would recommend him to go over your family history. He zeroed in on my heritage and understands the relationship between heredity and external triggers.

Good Luck! I hope you can achieve a healthy understanding of what is ailing you and can get to feeling better soon!

This is most helpful. I live in Central Florida (Orlando) and between the allergist, PCP, Gastroenterologist, and Neurologist I have learned a lot about myself. I always wonder if the information I have been getting is the most sound. Like so many of us I have gotten a lot of mixed up information from the Dr. that it drives me nuts. Learning about a Dr. that gets it and is willing to spend the time with you is so helpful.

[Rx4JOY]

I'm not new to Celiac's, but I'm new to the Central Florida doctors. I have been doing the front-desk screening & no one I've spoken to yet is very familiar with food allergies.

Any new input on this?

I'm specifically looking for a doctor that tests for FOOD allergies. I know gluten is not my only one, and I really am not having fun with the hit-or-miss method of eliminating things from my diet.

Thanks!

[Rx4JOY]

I just found a wonderful Celiac's doctor in Central Florida!

William "Bill" Mayoral of The Center for Digestive Health Open Original Shared Link saw me late yesterday.

I could not possibly be MORE IMPRESSED! This doctor KNOWS his stuff!

There was no need for me to educate him. Based on my history, he immediately began talking about Celiacs. "Here's the game plan..." The RIGHT blood tests, the RIGHT other tests, AND the SCOPE for tissue sample, AND COLONOSCOPY!!! YES!!!!

He was hesitant on the food allergy testing through (Company Name Removed - They Spammed This Forum and are Banned), but I can order that myself. My insurance probably won't pay for it anyway.

He even talked about IBS as a complicating issue, but would not elaborate until after the tests are back.

I hope this helps!

p.s. There are actually 5 doctors in the group. Each has their own specialties, so be sure to ask which one you should see if you have other concerns, such as Crohn's (they do have one that specializes in Crohn's.) Blessings to you on your journey to wellness!

[Gina105]

Just found a great doctor in rural Okeechobee area. I moved from Boston with my husband. They have diagnosed me with IBS for a long time but kept getting cramps, bloating and diarrhea inspite of taking probiotics . 

My TTG and other antibodies have been normal but my EgD with biopsies came back positive this time. 

This doctor kept telling me he thought it's not IBS - he was right. Now I am on gluten free diet and asymptomatic. 

If you need a good GI doc around this area, I would recommend him.

 

Dr. Vikram Tarugu www.gastroinflorida.com