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Real Celiac Specialist In Seattle?

GlutenFree-MLDub

By GlutenFree-MLDub
in Doctors

Recommended Posts

GlutenFree-MLDub Rookie
GlutenFree-MLDub
Posted

Hi, Does anyone know of a 'real' celiac specialist in Seattle? I know about Driscoll... and he's not what I'm looking for. He told me not to worry about my Celiac because I had a biopsy after a month on GFD last year and it was clear. I had records in my hand from Columbia 2004-2006 (from when I lived in NYC) which stated a Celiac diagnosis (although 'mild' compared to a lot of people here). I used to see Suzanne Lewis at Peter Greene's office, but now that I'm in Seattle, finding someone with that level of expertise is tough. There are many GI specialists who list Celiac in their areas of expertise, but they really aren't. My biopsy was done at Polyclinic and then I saw Driscoll as a backup. The doctors in both of those places told me I didn't have to be eating gluten since it had only been a month on GFD. I need someone who is well-versed on the neuro symptoms because my gut symptoms had faded over the years and all I had was neuro (BAD) when I saw these docs. They really didn't know anything about it.

My primary is a great ND and she seems to know a lot, but I much prefer my experience at the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia. <spoiled>

Any recommendations would be great. Or maybe some great doc can move to Seattle and start a research center! ;)

There is actually this guy here, Dr. Wangen, Open Original Shared Link - but he doesn't take insurance and I'm hoping to find an MD to compliment my ND.

Thanks!

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Piccolo Apprentice
Piccolo
Posted

Welcome to the board. I was going to suggest Dr Wangen, but I see you have already heard about him. In my opinion he is one of the best. He will cure what ails you.

Susan

GlutenFree-MLDub Rookie
GlutenFree-MLDub
Posted
  • Author

Welcome to the board. I was going to suggest Dr Wangen, but I see you have already heard about him. In my opinion he is one of the best. He will cure what ails you.

Susan

Thanks Susan for the welcome!

I'm going to keep Dr. Wangen in mind. Currently my insurance covers 100% in network, but that is going to end next year at which point, it may not be that much different to see someone out of network. I'll wait and see.

I keep hoping there's a Peter Green type doc here, but it doesn't seem there is.

WitsEnd Rookie
WitsEnd
Posted

I've been surprised they are so hard to find in the Seattle area. We have so many top notch specialists here, but finding one with a celiac focus has been difficult. I think bastyr has a few homeopathic doctors that focus on celiac but I am not positive. I've had good luck with Virginia Mason GIs, but I'm still early in my testing and such so who knows how it will turn out. They have a good reputation though.

seattlejoy Rookie
seattlejoy
Posted

Wouldn't it be AMAZING to have a research center started here? I am in the same boat as you. I had my biopsy at Eastside Gastro and wasn't impressed with what followed my diagnosis- 3 sheets of paper. One with a list of gluten foods, one page printed from the internet with Celiac Disease Foundation's website (I think), and the last was a small list of gluten-free food. Basically- "Good luck with your Celiac! See you in 6 mos to retest your levels!"

No care whatsoever for repairing my gut, supplements, testing for other conditions and deficiencies, etc. Thankfully I have an ND who tested everything I asked for and helped get me on thyroid and a bunch of vitamins and supps. Now I need someone who will take care of me and tell me what the next step is instead of me doing hours of research and taking it to my ND. I know there are still things that aren't right because I still feel horrible.

GlutenFree-MLDub Rookie
GlutenFree-MLDub
Posted
  • Author

My issues are severe enough that I'm not sure my ND is going to be enough. I had severe neuro complications. I'm not sure if Dr. Wangen can help me to the degree I need either. Part of me wants a celiac specialist from one of the centers to tell me that what I've been experiencing the past few years can all be attributed to untreated celiac. Even though I've found a lot of evidence, I'm having a hard time being confident that I can control and recover from what has happened in my brain. I keep thinking something else is going to come out as an issue that is undiagnosed.

The other part of me thinks I have to be an example that a research center would want to document and understand... so I'm considering getting an appt and flying somewhere to a research center. Has anyone done that? Traveled to a specialist?

What about Dr. Wangen here in Seattle? Does he know much about the neuro stuff? Or is he just good with the gut? I would go see him even though he doesn't take insurance if I could just get some guidance or reassurance...

UGH, I'm so frustrated right now.

ciamarie Rookie
ciamarie
Posted
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  • 5 months later...
seattlejoy Rookie
seattlejoy
Posted

I missed this post earlier this year. Thanks for that advice. I will try that.

Most of what she gave me is liquid or powder- liquid vitamin D, calcium and fish oil, powdered probiotics, powdered L-glutamine, vitamin b injections....

But I do have a few other capsules for iron and such.

seattlejoy Rookie
seattlejoy
Posted

Hi, Does anyone know of a 'real' celiac specialist in Seattle? I know about Driscoll... and he's not what I'm looking for. He told me not to worry about my Celiac because I had a biopsy after a month on GFD last year and it was clear. I had records in my hand from Columbia 2004-2006 (from when I lived in NYC) which stated a Celiac diagnosis (although 'mild' compared to a lot of people here). I used to see Suzanne Lewis at Peter Greene's office, but now that I'm in Seattle, finding someone with that level of expertise is tough. There are many GI specialists who list Celiac in their areas of expertise, but they really aren't. My biopsy was done at Polyclinic and then I saw Driscoll as a backup. The doctors in both of those places told me I didn't have to be eating gluten since it had only been a month on GFD. I need someone who is well-versed on the neuro symptoms because my gut symptoms had faded over the years and all I had was neuro (BAD) when I saw these docs. They really didn't know anything about it.

My primary is a great ND and she seems to know a lot, but I much prefer my experience at the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia. <spoiled>

Any recommendations would be great. Or maybe some great doc can move to Seattle and start a research center! wink.gif

There is actually this guy here, Dr. Wangen, Open Original Shared Link - but he doesn't take insurance and I'm hoping to find an MD to compliment my ND.

Thanks!

Did you ever make any progress on this? I am still searchin for someone that is better educated to help me navigate getting my body back on track. Would you mind sharing names of any MD or ND that you may have come across?

Of course, anyone else that might be able to share their pracitioners would be appreciated as well!

susanqi Newbie
susanqi
Posted

Hi,

We are considering moving to Seattle, so I googled celiac and Seattle and found this thread.

I too, have been mainly plagued by neuro issues, and would love to find a specialist who understands this from a celiac perspective. I recently found a study out of Germany which speaks to anxiety, yet it doesn't refer to a suggested protocol: Open Original Shared Link

I would so appreciate hearing about treatments any of you have possibly come upon. Also, are there certain organs/systems which are compromised due to the celiac, which could be prompting the brain issues? I realize our neurotransmitter production is compromised due to unhealthy guts, but is there more I could know? I would give anything to have a consistent ability to think, get things done, sleep well, no depression, anxiety, fatigue, etc.

Any names of docs you believe could be helpful, would also be appreciated! I am willing to travel.

Could working with docs out of Columbia make a huge difference in my life?

Thanks so much~

Best,

Susan

burdee Enthusiast
burdee
Posted

My issues are severe enough that I'm not sure my ND is going to be enough. I had severe neuro complications. I'm not sure if Dr. Wangen can help me to the degree I need either. Part of me wants a celiac specialist from one of the centers to tell me that what I've been experiencing the past few years can all be attributed to untreated celiac. Even though I've found a lot of evidence, I'm having a hard time being confident that I can control and recover from what has happened in my brain. I keep thinking something else is going to come out as an issue that is undiagnosed.

The other part of me thinks I have to be an example that a research center would want to document and understand... so I'm considering getting an appt and flying somewhere to a research center. Has anyone done that? Traveled to a specialist?

What about Dr. Wangen here in Seattle? Does he know much about the neuro stuff? Or is he just good with the gut? I would go see him even though he doesn't take insurance if I could just get some guidance or reassurance...

I sawDr. Wangen for 4 years while we tested for and diagnosed my 6 other delayed reaction allergies and testedfor and treated my 8 different gut bug infections. I looked for another doc when Dr. Wangen couldn't explain why I kept getting those infections. My current ND (Wendy Ellis of Tahoma Clinic North) tested me and discovered 4 different conditions that caused my immunity problems. I no longer get gut bugs or even respiratory infections. However, I still read Dr. Wangen's blog at Open Original Shared Link and noticed that he learned a lot after I left 4 years ago. He seems very knowledgeable about all aspects, symptoms and complications of celiac disease. BTW his own experience with celiac disease during medical school motivated him to become an ND, rather than go the traditional medical doctor route. I for one am glad he did. I've never gotten anything bur misdiagnoses from traditional doctors.

I suggest you call his clinic (IBS Treatment center) and ask the receptioinist whether Dr. Wangen can help your problem. If you're not satisfied, doctors at the Tahoma Clinic are very knowledgeable about food allergies, celiac disease, etc.

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