How Many Of Your Gi Doctors Were Willing?

[celiac3270]

My regular doctor thought that I had "cyclic vomiting", something that's related to migraines (and there's a history of migraines in my family). However, he still recommended that I see a GI doctor to be sure it wasn't something else....wow, I am glad that I listened to him.

The GI ran bloodtests to check for allergies and a variety of other things. I also had a sonogram thingy done and a bone density test. Bloodtests showed that I had celiac disease, but no allergies. My bone density test showed that my bones weren't as "mature" or something as they should've been -- 1-2 yrs. behind, I think. He did the biopsy to be sure...and said that I had celiac disease....so he found it really well.

He was terriffic in finding it, but I think that now he isn't that helpful....I'm going back to him for "check-ups" on the celiac disease.....but he seems to think that I am saying that everything is because of celiac disease....he thinks that symptoms like diarrhea, cramping, vomiting, etc. are not related to celiac disease and it annoys me since I know that it is -- symptoms don't always, and don't usually, leave in under 5 months ! He thinks that I'm just attributing everything to Celiac....

Helpful to diagnose, but not to cope.....

-celiac3270

[dana-g]

xx

[dana-g]

celiac3270, are you supposed to have a second biopsy to check on your gluten-free progress? My daughter, who is 11, is supposed to have another one 6-8 months after being gluten-free. I know you've still been having problems on occasion, and that you aren't allergic to anything, and that you are meticulous about not ingesting gluten. Just wondering what your thoughts are on this.

[celiac3270]

I've been....about 5 months, I guess and the doc. hasn't talked of another biopsy...I've heard of that, but I think that my doctor's going to stick with monitoring it by blood test....

I've heard of that, so I think it's just a matter of what the individual and their doctor feel is right. Some doctors might feel it necessary to do a biopsy, but mine, I think, feels that monitoring it with blood is suitable...for now, anyway

-celiac3270

[dana-g]

Oh, well that's good that you and your doctor have it worked out. I know my daughter had a fair amount of damage--NO symptoms--and this doc routinely runs a second biopsy. She sailed through the first one, so we're not concerned about the second...I never thought I'd hear myself say THAT! I enjoy your posts--you know so much I have to remind myself you're a kid! Actually, I think you're a grownup trapped in a kid's body...

[Shamrock]

All these stories are kind of scary. I went to my internist who seems to dismiss my feelings that I might have celiac. However did write me a referral to a GI but wrote on it "Colitis". I have done some research and although there is some similiarities in symptoms I did tell him I have a brother with Celiac and my syptoms seem somewhat textbook for Celiac not Colitis- I am in an HMO so I am hoping for the best when I go to GI- I was gluten-free for about 5 weeks and then went back after finding that I had to be on gluten to be tested- sure enough I have been feeling sick ever since- August 5(my appt date) can't come soon enough for me.

[snoopini]

My doctor actually lied to me and told me he took "several" biopsies during my endo.....he actually only took one! I'd like to find somebody who specializes in celiac or one who is more inclined to accept it!!

[dianne]

I just saw a new GI because I wasn't happy with the one I had. The first GI never did an endoscopy, or a biopsy. GI number two says that the blood test that the first one did was such a poor test that htey don't even use it anymore. So, he's not sure that I have Celiac's. In my first office visit, he was gave me a more thorough exam than number one ever did. He's going to try me on a slice of toast in the morning, prior to an endoscopy four weeks from now. It's such a pleasure to have a GI who communicates with me, and seems to know what to look for, and cares about me! I wasn't familiar enough with celiac disease prior to being diagnosed, to know what tests to ask for. I don't even know what blood tests I had. Even after my diagnosis (which I had to call the doctor to get), he didn't discuss the condition with me, other than to refer me to a dietician. I'm so glad my PCP referred me to this doctor! This group of gastroenterologists seem to be very familiar with celiac disease. Even before I was referred to them, I found them on the Internet. through a celiac-related website.

[crc0622]

I, too, saw a doctor of middle-eastern descent and was diagnosed on my second visit -- he scheduled the edoscopy right away and I had a diagnosis within 2 weeks. Yes, I am lucky and thankful, too.