Need advice on my next step.

Feel free to discuss any topic of general interest, so long as nothing you post here is likely to be interpreted as insulting, and/or inflammatory, nor clearly designed to provoke any individual or group. Please be considerate of others feelings, and they will be considerate of yours.

Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh

Post Reply
User avatar
carolm
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 1346
Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2011 7:27 pm
Location: Kansas City

Need advice on my next step.

Post by carolm »

Hi Everyone,

In 2 days I will be completely off of the Entocort. So far so good except that I am finding that I had fewer food reactions while on Entocort, so I'm kinda starting from scratch in respect to my diet. On the other hand it is easier for me to tell when I am reacting to something-- after a couple hours of misery.

I contacted Enterolab to see when they thought it was reasonable to do Panel A and C. Their response was to have my local Dr. do blood work to see if I was producing IgA again, because otherwise I may get 'false negatives'. Obviously a good idea and I will do that.

My question is in regard to MRT testing. Is there an advantage to doing MRT testing as opposed to doing the panel C from Enterolab?.

I spent a good portion of the weekend reading everything on our site that addresses these two labs, but what I really want is a 'compare and contrast' discussion. Also, those who used the LEAP program-- what were the benefits there?

I really want to do things right the first time-- if that's at all possible. Your experiences will help me a great deal.

Thanks so much,
Carol
“.... people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
Kari
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 1346
Joined: Sun Sep 05, 2010 4:26 pm
Location: Colorado

Post by Kari »

Hi Carol,

I don't know your history with food sensitivities, so my advise will be from my own experience and point of view. Enterolab is the best option if you have not yet figured out the major sensitivities (i.e. gluten, dairy, soy, eggs and yeast). Those are the ones I first tested, along with the gene panel, which is very helpful if you have children or other close family members you'd like to protect. After I discovered that I have 2 main celiac genes, we tested my son and 3 grand-children, who all turned out to be gluten sensitive and are now gluten free.

Anyhow, if you know your sensitivity to those main allergens, doing MRT will probably be more helpful for you, as their test goes into detail about individual foods and chemicals. You can read the stories of those of us who have tested in the MRT results section. I did the MRT test about half a year after Enterolab and found it very helpful at that time. Figuring out food sensitivities by trial and error is very time consuming and frustrating, so I needed the extra help MRT provided. I have found that healing from life long gluten and dairy damage is a long process that requires a lot of patience, and different things make sense at different stages in the healing process.

Lots of luck to you with your testing and continuing journey back to health.

Love,
Kari
"My mouth waters whenever I pass a bakery shop and sniff the aroma of fresh bread, but I am also grateful simply to be alive and sniffing." Dr. Bernstein
brandy
King Penguin
King Penguin
Posts: 2915
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2011 9:54 am
Location: Florida

Post by brandy »

Hi Carol,

Great question as I'm in the same place as you.....9 days off of Entocourt and thinking about Enterolab A&C. I wasn't aware of taking the blood test before so that will help me out. I was also wondering about the other tests you mention...... Brandy
User avatar
carolm
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 1346
Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2011 7:27 pm
Location: Kansas City

Post by carolm »

HI Brandy, I'm glad to connect with someone who's in the same place I am.

I am obviously no expert and just about all I know about MRT testing I've read here and online. It's often done in connection with the LEAP program which includes consultations with a dietitian who designs a rotation diet.

Many of the members here had MRT testing because Enterolab didn't offer Panel C at the time. It sounds like most who had the MRT testing found it valuable. I'm under the impression that it's more extensive than the Enterolab panel. So I'm looking for pros and cons, and hoping more people will share their experiences with us.

Glad you are here,
Carol
“.... people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
User avatar
carolm
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 1346
Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2011 7:27 pm
Location: Kansas City

Post by carolm »

Hi Kari, I have had the genetic tests done and am DEFINITELY going for Panel A with the main 5 allergens, although gluten is already out of the picture and will stay that way. I suspect I have multiple sensitivities.

I greatly appreciate your post on how detailed the MRT testing is. It sounds more detailed than Enterolab's panel C and right now I feel I need all the information I can get. At first I questioned whether a blood test would be that accurate, but I watched their video on how the tests are run....so at least it's less of a mystery. Your input certainly lends it credibility. Thanks.

Take care,
Carol
“.... people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
User avatar
tex
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 35349
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 9:00 am
Location: Central Texas

Post by tex »

Carol,

The complete MRT/LEAP program has been costing in the $500 to $600 range, depending on the extent of the services offered by the dietitian, at last report.

Tex
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
User avatar
mbeezie
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 1500
Joined: Fri May 29, 2009 3:14 am
Location: Texas

Post by mbeezie »

Hi Everyone,

IMHO I recommend both tests, if you can afford it. The tests are quite different in how they work and both are valuable. There is no no single test that can capture all types of sensitivities. I agree with Kari that starting with the basic Enterolab panel makes sense. If symptoms are still not under control then MRT is helpful.

If you go to the main page of the forum and scroll down there is an entire section of this site devoted to testing, so you can read more there.

Mary Beth
"If you believe it will work out, you'll see opportunities. If you believe it won't you will see obstacles." - Dr. Wayne Dyer
User avatar
carolm
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 1346
Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2011 7:27 pm
Location: Kansas City

Post by carolm »

Mary Beth,
I have read the posts on this site for MRT testing and they have been helpful. But what I am also reading is that many dietitians don't have experience with clients with MC/LC, once people started the MRT/LEAP. I guess that's my hesitation. I'm not sure I want to commit to a program only to find out the dietitian knows less than I do..... kinda like Gloria's experiences. It's great that you have been so willing to share your personal and professional expertise, and I hope you will continue to do so. Seems there are always more questions than answers.

So now I need to decide which direction I'm going to take and jump right in. It's clear that even 'safe' foods have to be tested and just knowing that gives me better ammunition for the battle.

thanks so much,
Carol
“.... people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
Post Reply

Return to “Main Message Board”