Biopsy Worth The Wait?

[Bigc]

So my blood test has come back negative but I have asked for a referral to a gastroenterologist. The only thing is is that it could take as long as a year to see them. My grandmother tested positive on her blood work and it even took eights months. Is it worth feeling like s$#& for an entire year just to have something confirmed that I already know is the problem for me?

Even if it was negative I would still go gluten free and have allergies to casein and gluten peptides tested anyway. Aside from reimbursement for my food and I guess an excuse to be so attentive and strict with my diet, is there a point?

[IrishHeart]

A year??? Why is that??

Well, you seem to have answered your own question. You said you already know gluten is a problem for you and you would go gluten-free anyway even if the test were negative.

Would I eat a gluten filled diet for a year, waiting for a biopsy? Um, NO! IMHO

Dietary compliance is often an issue even for DXed Celiacs, believe it or not (people foolishly cheat all the time), so really it's up to you to stay off gluten if it is a health issue for you.

Some people really want a DX for a variety of reasons, but if you want to stop "feeling like s$#&"-- as you so aptly put it --then why wait?

Welcome to the forum and jump right in --the water's fine!

Best wishes,

IH

[Bigc]

Yup sounds like I did. That's how the Canadian health care system is lol...

[IrishHeart]

Yup sounds like I did. That's how the Canadian health care system is lol...

Ah, see I did not know that. A whole year huh??? Tragic.

Honestly, I did not wait for biopsy either. And my doc now does not want me to do a gluten challenge under any circumstances. I was dying for 3 years while waiting for a doctor to figure it out. (I did) He just shakes his head when I tell him about all of you on here --he is appalled at how many of us cannot get a simple DX so we can move on to healing.

Well, kiddo, there any many members on here from Canada. I wish you well and if there's anything we can help you with, we're here!!

Take care!

[Bubba's Mom]

If you realize that gluten is causing you problems, I don't think I'd keep eating it? The amount of damage that could be caused in a year's time wouldn't be worth it to me!

[eatmeat4good]

I read about Celiac after being sick for literally years. I considered testing and biopsy for say um...24 hours. To me it wasn't worth the wait to get a Dr. appt a week away for a blood test and sure as heck would not wait a year for a biopsy. If gluten is a problem...get rid of it. I never have regretted that decision. I wish I hadn't even waited 24 hours to be honest!

[love2travel]

Merry Christmas from a fellow Canadian. My wait was four months for my biopsies; however, I have waited 18 months to see specialists so I understand your frustration. I asked to be put on an emergency wait list and was called to go in a few days later. It didn't work as I was away but perhaps you could request it if you do live close to your health centre.

In Canada if you have an actual celiac diagnosis you can claim medical expenses (if that is applicable). My reason for having biopsies was to prove that I definitely had celiac - I did not want to wonder in the future. As I My doctor also wanted me to have a colonoscopy to rule out any other possible issues. Plus I did not feel ill eating gluten so it was no problem for me to eat it for four months. I needed the diagnosis to take it seriously. However, if I did get as ill as many on this board, I believe I would have thought differently.