Endoscopy / Biopsy Results Today

[Katrala]

So I went to the doc to get my biopsy results today. I had a positive blood test and have already felt better going gluten-free, so I assumed (correctly) the the biopsy would be positive.

Sure enough, he said there was atrophy and along with the blood test, confirmed the Celiac diagnosis. And no cancer, which he would continue to screen for every 3 years (endoscopy, I assume.)

That was pretty much it. The visit took less than 4 minutes and part of me was hoping for a little more information.

Did your doctor take time with you to go over diet, give information, etc.?

Are there doctors who specialize in Celiac?

[HeatherEric]

Hi Katria, my GI did the same thing too--- 4 minutes I'm in his office and then "i'll see you in six months." I did get the name of a nutritionist who I saw & paid $250.00 out of pocket for a 15 minute consultation and a 2week food plan. It was a huge waste of money. I bought some books at the bookstore and a gluten-free cookbook and did it on my own. I was a silent reader of websites and posts but even reading and posting here, helps. I suggest asking around on local gluten-free/celiac disease websites and ask for local help. I also quickly saw an allergist & got tested for all food allergies since now yr restricted in food. Come to find out, I'm allergic to some fish & nuts!! Leaves me with less options. Good luck!! Stay positive & persistent

[ravenwoodglass]

Yea that's what they usually do. Tell you yea your celiac and walk away. I have never heard of one who wanted to do scopes to look for cancer after we go gluten free as your chances of having cancer, related to celiac, after you have gone gluten free are really not that high. There are many here who went undiagnosed for a very long time and never developed it. Some doctors do want to rescope to make sure your villi are healed and that is usually done at six months. That can be checked with your blood work though if your blood tests were positive at diagnosis.

You can actually get pretty much all the info you need right here. Ask any questions you need to and folks will be glad to answer.

[zus888]

Wow. How sad. I must have the best GI doc on the face of the Earth. He spent a lot of time with me, talking about celiac, the diet, a gluten-free bakery in the city that he wants me to go to (so that I could see it's not as bad as I thought it would be), and I left with the name of a guy that does acupuncture and the dietitian he wanted me to see. The dietitian was free (well, covered by health insurance) and he spent a couple HOURS with me, my mother-in-law, and husband, answering questions and giving me TONS of resources, including coupons, meal ideas, how to read labels, restaurants in and around the city that serve gluten-free items, and stores that sell gluten free items. He also had some of the (empty) boxes of gluten-free replacement products (like pasta, cookies, etc.)

[Salax]

Wow. How sad. I must have the best GI doc on the face of the Earth. He spent a lot of time with me, talking about celiac, the diet, a gluten-free bakery in the city that he wants me to go to (so that I could see it's not as bad as I thought it would be), and I left with the name of a guy that does acupuncture and the dietitian he wanted me to see. The dietitian was free (well, covered by health insurance) and he spent a couple HOURS with me, my mother-in-law, and husband, answering questions and giving me TONS of resources, including coupons, meal ideas, how to read labels, restaurants in and around the city that serve gluten-free items, and stores that sell gluten free items. He also had some of the (empty) boxes of gluten-free replacement products (like pasta, cookies, etc.)

Wow. I think yours is a rarity. Mine was an idiot. But then from most peoples comments on their experiences with their docs most are idiots or they just don't know much about it.

So ya, mine told me to go gluten "lite" LOL um, dude...seriously. I straight told him um, there is no gluten lite, it's one or the other. He looked confused when I said that. So we don't talk much about it anymore. He ignores my diagnosis completely.

I say when you fina doc that knows, keep them! They are few and far between...

[color-me-confused]

That was pretty much it. The visit took less than 4 minutes and part of me was hoping for a little more information.

Did your doctor take time with you to go over diet, give information, etc.?

Are there doctors who specialize in Celiac?

I sat down for my biopsy results for acid reflux and she pretty much said "no reflux damage you can wean off Prilosec. Now let's talk about celiac..." and then told me about the celiac biopsy results which blindsided me - and had also surprised her. We talked about gluten-free diets and she recommended some books and a local support group. Three weeks later we met again to talk about my negative blood test and the hugely positive health effects of my going gluten-free. I see her again next week to go over my low potassium results, and I get a followup biopsy later in the summer to see if going gluten-free eliminated the inflammation which will clinch the celiac diagnosis. The inflammation in the biopsy wasn't quite bad enough to be 100% definitive although all signs are pointing to celiac right now. I can't complain!

As for celiac specialists yes they exist, at least here in Massachusetts: Open Original Shared Link

[MissBonnie]

yes my doctor was very brief too but i am booked in to see a nutritionist that they recommended for me. i cant wait to get some more info maybe you should ask your doctor to recommend you one too. i went through the hospital that did my endoscopy and got it free, but i live in australia so im unsure what your situation is like. good luck!