Meran

I've never been diagnosed. I went on the diet for another reason, and now do NOT test positive... However, all I read says that that test may not always be accurate anyway. My doc says that I don't have it, because of that negative. And I will NOT eat gluten just to make a doc 'know' that I am what I am... gluten intolerant, at best.

I'm hoping for a doctor who can treat me, knowing all this. and no, haven't had any scoping either.. not upper. As I said before, they're ~quite willing to scope the bottom sections.. At this point, I think my doc has given up on me. I'm already getting pretty major pain pills for the FMS; she may be thinking I want more. (I don't.. I'd love nothing better that to give up all pills and their timetables... and have a nice normal life. hah!)

I may go visit this new doc anyway. Is she still taking patients? Many are not... also, I don't want a doc that probes, says stay on the diet, and goodbye.. I might as well just ask them where to send the money, since I already know all that!

So, no one closer to me?

How do y'all find your docs? Hunt and peck? Isn't there a list somewhere of docs 'friendly' to celiac/gluten problems?

and hey you in Lake Oswego.. that's my county, wanna meet for coffee sometime? (or tea, tea works too)

I guess I should have been a little more specific, sorry.

NW Portland will take over an hour for me to get to and same back.. I'm outside the SE area towards Boring (but not as far)

Is no one else in the Portland area gut-positive? I HAVE noticed that they'll gladly scope you, all the way up the large colon, on a whim! but _real looking, no.. not so far...

According to what I've read, it can take 6 months to several years to 'heal' a colon; depends entirely on amount of damage..

If she's diagnosed by the blood test, yes, the damage could be in a place that the scope didn't find, at that time.. IMHO, she should just bite the bullet. It's hardest the first 6 months.. after that, I've found that it's not quite as hard.

I've been on a gluten free diet for 19 months now... everywhere I look, it's stuff I can't eat.. but I'm not all that hungry anyway... not real hunger. Cravings, yes, It helps that I've never even LIKED things like pizza...

But it's the DECISION that is the turning point.. she hasn't truly made that one yet.

And also, IMHO, I think the world should change off gluten. I look around me, and see so many people who are swollen and uncomfortable, and quite possibly have gluten problems... I know they're diabetic (extreme obesity can't not be, from what I've seen)... and the more you read about problems gluten CAN cause... well, you understand from there..

Hang in there. It's frustrating when your child does something you consider harmful. But it's her body, and if she won't take care of it, you can't do it for her... just guide, gently.

Meran

I'm currently seeing an herbalist, and she's doing well, but insurance is NOT paying. And I have insurance, darn it! I'd like them to reimburse me..

I never got a diagnosis. We went on a gluten free diet as part of a cleansing diet AND because I have FMS (fibromyalgia)... after 3 months, we were so hungry! We went back to eating 'regular', tho we were very careful, and didn't just pig out... We'd lost 15 lbs each.. didn't want to gain it back.

I started having symptoms of gut problems, much more than ever... so we knew. I couldn't get in to see my doc for a test, but in the interest of living comfortably, we switched over to gluten free, both of us. (he has ADHD and has seen MUCH improvement, tho it took much longer)

I finally got tested, and surprise, it was negative.. from what I understand, this test is not a reliable indicator anyway, tho my doc seemed to think so. When I continued having problems, she 'gave up and gave me the recommendation to see the homeopath, because she understood nutrition better'...

But when I look in the phonebook and other online places, the only doc coming up under celiac is many hours away!

Does anyone here have a recommendation for me?

thanks!