Some Second Opinions Needed.

[Stephanie Young]

Today was my first visit with a new doctor, since I have just moved and don't have insurance, he explained that he was not about to rack up some bills to do all these tests that I was expecting to pay for anyway. ANYWAY, I got an overall IBS diagnosis and a prescription for Alprazolam... :S

I explained to him that my previous tests (4 years ago, yes, i've not been very active in this venture to find out how intolerant I am actually to gluten) showed I was HIGHLY deficient in Vitamin D and some B's. My thyroid was fine and a diabetes test showed nothing wrong. I am not overweight and never really have been. I also explained to him that when (if) I drink any hard alcohol, my face swells up almost like ecsma, and I have killer hangovers/sickness after 1 drink. I think I really must have downplayed how nauseas I really feel after I eat most anything glutenous, and probably sounded a lot more stressed/anxious than I really am. I won't be back there.

How can I get a rushed doctor to listen?

I plan on visiting a diet coach soon instead of a doctor - I am starting now for one week a regular diet log with my normal diet, and exactly how I feel after eating exactly what I ate. I can already see after one day that there is something wrong with how many times I go to the bathroom. I should not have to feel like this ay longer, but this log is deffinitely a good idea before I start my real gluten-free trials!

[beachbirdie]

Today was my first visit with a new doctor, since I have just moved and don't have insurance, he explained that he was not about to rack up some bills to do all these tests that I was expecting to pay for anyway. ANYWAY, I got an overall IBS diagnosis and a prescription for Alprazolam... :S

I explained to him that my previous tests (4 years ago, yes, i've not been very active in this venture to find out how intolerant I am actually to gluten) showed I was HIGHLY deficient in Vitamin D and some B's. My thyroid was fine and a diabetes test showed nothing wrong. I am not overweight and never really have been. I also explained to him that when (if) I drink any hard alcohol, my face swells up almost like ecsma, and I have killer hangovers/sickness after 1 drink. I think I really must have downplayed how nauseas I really feel after I eat most anything glutenous, and probably sounded a lot more stressed/anxious than I really am. I won't be back there.

How can I get a rushed doctor to listen?

I plan on visiting a diet coach soon instead of a doctor - I am starting now for one week a regular diet log with my normal diet, and exactly how I feel after eating exactly what I ate. I can already see after one day that there is something wrong with how many times I go to the bathroom. I should not have to feel like this ay longer, but this log is definitely a good idea before I start my real gluten-free trials!

If you were planning to pay out of pocket anyway, you could consider ordering your tests through a company like Open Original Shared Link. You go to the website, look for a LabCorp location near you, choose and order your tests, then go get the blood drawn. I've used them many times, especially during times we've been uninsured, and saved a lot of money. If you Google for discount codes, you can save a little too...a recent one was "STTM10" which netted a 10% discount, it is from the Stop The Thyroid Madness website.

There are other companies who do the same, but I've found for my uses that Healthcheck was the least expensive.

I don't know why your new doc would resist testing when he has no financial stake in the process at all. None of his business how you want to spend your money. Says a lot about his willingness (rather, lack thereof) to think "outside the box".

[tom]

Good idea to get a diet/symptom log going.

[Stephanie Young]

Good idea to get a diet/symptom log going.

Day one of my Diet Log and I couldn't eat a normal breakfast after all. I did gluten-free this morning because I have to be at a desk for 5 hours :/ Already feel like I can face the day. Victory! Stephanie 1 - Gluten 0

[Stephanie Young]

Good idea to get a diet/symptom log going.

I wasn't really into getting the testing much, because if I went Gluten free on my own and felt better, there was no reason to really know for sure. Until I learned that Vit D definciency among all the other symptoms are red flags for Celiac. I've always had a definciency, plus bruising easily and general pale complection + fatigue. I think I just have to push for some testing.