Really Disappointed....

[WinterSong]

I went in for my biopsy today. They put me under but halfway through they had to stop - apparently my stomach had too much food in it despite me not eating for six hours beforehand as directed (and I only ate a light snack). So I have to do it again next week. The nurse said that sometimes this happens...it was so disappointing....So for next week they said that I can't eat or drink for 12 hours beforehand....it's been such a stressful week, and I think I've worked myself up so much that I've just given myself a really bad stomach ache....I just want to be done with all of this testing and start getting better....

[love2travel]

I feel for you. I had to fast for the colonoscopy and gastroscopy for 36 hours - I was only allowed clear liquids (i.e. water) and then nothing for 12 (had to drink a gallon of that stuff - forget the name of it). That wasn't bad. When I met with the surgeon five weeks later to discuss results he told me I still had a lot of stool in there! Weird.

You can do this! Hopefully you can get to the bottom of this very soon.

[WinterSong]

Thanks. My blood test as my doctor said "was VERY positive for Celiac", so he said that there is no doubt that I have it. He did tell me to begin my gluten-free diet, at least, so I'm happy about that. He just wants to see how much damage has been done and try to determine if I'm lactose intolerant, as well.

It's just been such a long week. I was only diagnosed last Friday, and I've barely slept because there's been so much to think about. And I have to pay for both tests out of my own pocket because my insurance isn't covering it. Most of all, I'm just so mentally and physically worn out.

Thank goodness for this forum. I'm just trying to be grateful for all of the people in my life who are my cheerleaders and supporting me in this.

[love2travel]

It is incredibly stressful and that stress can take a toll on you, that is for sure. It sounds trite but it is so very true that time does make things a lot better. My diagnosis was in February and I went through many phases emotionally including shock (I am asymptomatic), denial, grief and so on, right up to acceptance which happened in the last couple of weeks. It is a huge lifestyle change. What I personally find difficult is changing my life when I have no symptoms but I know I must! Food is my obsession and eating out can be a nightmare (I have little trust for that). But cooking at home is another story, thankfully.

I'm so sorry your tests are not covered. The process is daunting and draining but soon it will be routine and a part of life. It really is a fact.

So, keep hanging in there and remember that this too shall pass.

[ravenwoodglass]

Thanks. My blood test as my doctor said "was VERY positive for Celiac", so he said that there is no doubt that I have it. He did tell me to begin my gluten-free diet, at least, so I'm happy about that. He just wants to see how much damage has been done and try to determine if I'm lactose intolerant, as well.

It's just been such a long week. I was only diagnosed last Friday, and I've barely slept because there's been so much to think about. And I have to pay for both tests out of my own pocket because my insurance isn't covering it. Most of all, I'm just so mentally and physically worn out.

Thank goodness for this forum. I'm just trying to be grateful for all of the people in my life who are my cheerleaders and supporting me in this.

I would call the insurance company to find out why they are not covering your tests. If you had very positive blood work and your doctor feels the need to do them they should be covered and by the time you add in the anesthesiologist, the doctors fees, the fees for the room and lab charges for the biopsy you are not talking pocket change. You may also want to talk to your doctor about it as he can also have a part in appealing the insurance companies decision not to cover. Since he considers you diagnosed with your blood test perhaps you could hold off on the endo safely to see if you issues resolve on the diet. Another option is to see if the facility might have a sliding fee scale that you can get on if your income isn't real high.

[WinterSong]

Thanks. Question - Even though my doctor says that I'm definitely positive, I'm kind of worried about getting a false negative on my biopsy. Would one week gluten-free make a huge difference in the results? I just want to be 100% sure of my diagnosis. Because the intestinal damage would still be there, right? If my blood tests are positive does that mean that I without question have Celiac?

[WinterSong]

Oh, and the reason why I'm paying out of pocket is that my insurance company has a $1,000 deductible. After I spend that myself, they'll begin paying 80%. Not the best plan. :-/

[eatmeat4good]

I think you are clearly and definitely Celiac. Your Dr. diagnosed you based on the high blood test. He may be one of the more proactive Dr.'s who are willing to diagnose based on blood tests alone. This is a good thing. The issue most people have is their Dr. won't diagnose them with Celiac without a positive biopsy, but in your case, you have the diagnosis and he is just wanting the biopsy to see how much damage has been done. Ask your Dr. if he is planning on taking back the diagnosis if you are biopsy negative, or if he understands that when you go gluten free healing will occur and you may test negative.

It sounds like you are firmly diagnosed, but only your Dr. can say if he is going to retract that diagnosis or let it stand regardless of the biopsy results.

[WinterSong]

Thanks for that reply, eatmeat4good. My doctor said that the count that the blood test measured (is it called a tTG? I'm not sure) - anyway, he said that my number is 300 and is WAY above the norm. And I've read that biopsies can sometimes come back with a false negative anyway. I have all of the symptoms, and if the doctor thinks that I'm that positive for it, then I'm just going to consider myself diagnosed.

Wow, I've just been feeling a lot of anxiety this week, so I've been questioning everything.

[ravenwoodglass]

My doctor said that the count that the blood test measured (is it called a tTG? I'm not sure) - anyway, he said that my number is 300 and is WAY above the norm. And I've read that biopsies can sometimes come back with a false negative anyway. I have all of the symptoms, and if the doctor thinks that I'm that positive for it, then I'm just going to consider myself diagnosed.

Wow, I've just been feeling a lot of anxiety this week, so I've been questioning everything.

Glad you know that there is a chance of a false negative and you will be staying gluten free no matter what the biopsy results are. The anxiety you are feeling is pretty normal. You just got diagnosed with something that is life changing plus you have only been gluten free a week and may be experiencing withdrawl. If that deductable is going to be a hardship for you let your doctor know. You are really diagnosed already and some doctors are skipping the biopsy when blood results are as high as yours were.

[WinterSong]

I just spoke with my doctor, and he gave me the antibody levels for some of my blood work so that I could have them for my records:

tTG-IgA >300 Positive

EMA-IgA >1:320 Positive

Gliadin >400 (high)

Did I notate this properly?

PS Day #5 gluten-free and going strong!

[ravenwoodglass]

I just spoke with my doctor, and he gave me the antibody levels for some of my blood work so that I could have them for my records:

tTG-IgA >300 Positive

EMA-IgA >1:320 Positive

Gliadin >400 (high)

Did I notate this properly?

PS Day #5 gluten-free and going strong!

Your results were really high from what I can see so hopefully you will be feeling better soon.

[WinterSong]

Your results were really high from what I can see so hopefully you will be feeling better soon.

Thanks. I'm actually glad they were so high. It makes me feel more confident about the diagnosis. I just hope that it doesn't mean my intestines have been incredibly damaged. But we'll find out soon. I'm excited to finally understand what's been going on.

[MsCurious]

Thanks. I'm actually glad they were so high. It makes me feel more confident about the diagnosis. I just hope that it doesn't mean my intestines have been incredibly damaged. But we'll find out soon. I'm excited to finally understand what's been going on.

That's great news JessicaNYC! I know there are people out there who have never dealt with all these crazy symptoms lots of us have had, and they would think it "odd" for someone to say ... hey you have a disease... great news! LOL BUT... you know what I mean. It's just a relief to know what it is, and that you can control it! That's a whole lot better than never knowing and still feeling yucky. Happy for ya.

[WinterSong]

Some good (and amusing) news:

I had my second endoscopy today, and it went very well! (I didn't eat for 15 hours beforehand, so I though "well this better work now!" haha) I woke up and the doctor said that from what he saw I had all of the internal signs of Celiac and that my biopsy results would be back in two weeks. I said that it was good to know I showed the signs since I know that my biopsy may produce a false negative having been on the diet for a week already. Then I told him about how I've been getting stomach aches after eating dairy and that I think I should cut that, as well. He said, yes that it happens a lot to Celiac patients and that I'd be able to introduce dairy back into my diet later. I said, "Oh yeah, because the enzymes are at the end of the villi," to which he laughed and replied, "Well you don't need me at all now! You know everything!"

Question - Did anyone else have a hard time eating again after the biopsy? I ate a banana and a little more food later on, but it feels like someone is punching me in the stomach. Is that from the anesthesia? I'm also used to eating about every three hours. Maybe it's from not eating for so long and finally putting food into an empty stomach?

[Jaymie Jaymz]

Question - Did anyone else have a hard time eating again after the biopsy? I ate a banana and a little more food later on, but it feels like someone is punching me in the stomach. Is that from the anesthesia? I'm also used to eating about every three hours. Maybe it's from not eating for so long and finally putting food into an empty stomach?

I picked up Jack in the Box on the way home from my biopsy and I barely got through a few bites before my stomach started cramping up. It's been two days since I've had it done and my stomach still hurts just a little after I eat.

I'm not sure what it's from, but it might be normal. I did have a stomach biopsy taken, too, so it was pretty dumb to try to eat something so heavy and greasy afterwards.