Doctor In Detroit Mi Area - Please Help!

[michiganmom]

Hi, I am trying to find a gastroenterologist in the Detroit area. I need a doctor that really understands Celiac Disease and believes in the blood test being a valid result and does not have to scope. I believe I am looking for the impossible doctor. I would love a doctor who actually listens to the patient. Can anyone recommend a doctor? Thank you!

[JennyL]

  On 2/9/2010 at 8:27 PM, michiganmom said:

Hi, I am trying to find a gastroenterologist in the Detroit area. I need a doctor that really understands Celiac Disease and believes in the blood test being a valid result and does not have to scope. I believe I am looking for the impossible doctor. I would love a doctor who actually listens to the patient. Can anyone recommend a doctor? Thank you!

[JennyL]

Dear Michiganmom,

I certainly hope I am doing this correctly - I am brand new to this forum, as of 5 minutes ago, lol, and have gotten a lot of error messages...

OK, I consider myself very very fortunate as I have found several excellent Dr's in the Detroit Metro area:

A: Gastroenterologist: Thomas J. Alexander M.D. of Gastrointestinal Specialists PC.

264 W. Maple Rd (15 mile) Suete 200 Troy, MI 48084

Dr Alexander is supposed to be the local expert on celiac disease/I'm told it's his specialty. I've seen another Dr in his practice but heard from others, including my Aunt that Dr. Alexander is an excellent diagnostician, has great bedside manner and is compassionate.

B: Dr. Tamler: He works our of Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak and has an office in the Beaumont Medical Building. Phone# 248-288-2210

He is a physiatrist (SP?) (NOT to be confused with psychiatrist) and is the one who FINALLY diagnosed my Celiac disease based on my gastro symptoms as well as my many broken bones and osteoperosis at age 40. At our first appt he spent over 30 minutes just educating me about Celiac disease; he was personal, friendly, respectful and all around a great Dr. I never felt rushed, he drew pictures of the small intestine to help me understand, and he took the time and answered all my questions and what he couldn't answer told me 'great question, let me find out and let you know, or 'Great question, that's why you're here so we can figure this out...

C: Dr. Sharon Ostabecki: A dietician highly recommended by Dr. Tamler as she herself has Celiac disease. Her phone number is 248-344-0896. She is the one who strongly encouraged me to see Dr. Alexander stating he's the best gastro guy/specialist in Celiac in the metro detroit area.

I'm newly diagnosed after my my 3rd bone fracture in less than 3 years and which occurred despite the fact I didn't even fall or bang into anything, I just twisted wrong...

Good Luck!!!

Jennifer

[JennyL]

  On 2/9/2010 at 8:27 PM, michiganmom said:

Hi, I am trying to find a gastroenterologist in the Detroit area. I need a doctor that really understands Celiac Disease and believes in the blood test being a valid result and does not have to scope. I believe I am looking for the impossible doctor. I would love a doctor who actually listens to the patient. Can anyone recommend a doctor? Thank you!

[JennyL]

michiganmom,

One more piece of information that I didn't add... You want a Dr that believes in the blood test and doesn't have to scope. I had a blood test done a few years ago by my PHCP that came back negative for celiac disease. Dr. Tamler stated that blood tests are 75% false negative and diagnosed me based on my symptoms. He has no plans to do a scope. I'm not sure if Dr. Alexander has a different view point on that subject... I believe if the blood test is postive, or if your symotoms are strong enough to point to Celiac, the less invasive a doctor needs to be, the better and I would self advocate for that. My personal concern is that the diet is so restrictive, and expensive, I want to be absolutely sure I have celiac before I completely change my life style...

JennyL

[michiganmom]

  On 2/10/2010 at 7:19 AM, JennyL said:

michiganmom,

One more piece of information that I didn't add... You want a Dr that believes in the blood test and doesn't have to scope. I had a blood test done a few years ago by my PHCP that came back negative for celiac disease. Dr. Tamler stated that blood tests are 75% false negative and diagnosed me based on my symptoms. He has no plans to do a scope. I'm not sure if Dr. Alexander has a different view point on that subject... I believe if the blood test is postive, or if your symotoms are strong enough to point to Celiac, the less invasive a doctor needs to be, the better and I would self advocate for that. My personal concern is that the diet is so restrictive, and expensive, I want to be absolutely sure I have celiac before I completely change my life style...

JennyL

Hi JennyL! So nice to find someone in this area who has had positive experiences with doctors. I have heard some good and some bad about Dr. Alexander and that he is a strong believer in scoping. I can not be scoped as I have been gluten free for years and can not do a gluten challenge. Now this Dr. Tamler sounds more like my type of doctor. I did have a positive blood test and that is all the proof I need. If I eat gluten, I get so sick.

I have problems with my thyroid and parathyroid's are not working. I have to take calcium and vitamin d so when my stomach gets upset from gluten or soy or dairy, I have major absorption issues. It is a very long story.

Anyways, I think I will check into this Dr. Tamler. See if he has a website and learn more about him. Did you actually go to him for the gastro problems or was it for another reason?

Thank you so much for the information!