Interesting GI visit today

dgshelton · Post by **dgshelton** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 5:05 pm

I had a follow up appointment with my GI today. His PA always comes in first and then relays info to the dr. before he comes in. The PA asked how my D had been, to which, I responded that it was fine as long as I stayed away from gluten, dairy, soy and eggs. Apparently my GI had not made any note of my Enterolab test results. I explained again the testing and showed him the test results, which my GI had refused to look at last time I was in there. The PA said he thought I needed to get serum tested for celiac. When I asked him why, he said they would need a serum confirmation of the gene test. I told him I didn't think so, but if it would male them feel better to go ahead and do it. I also informed him that having been off gluten for 2 months so they would not find any antibodies. So after checking me out he left. A little while later my GI came in and asked when I had gone to Dallas to have these tests done. Of course, I told him that I had done it all through the mail. I was ready to defend my choice to have the tests and to give up gluten, when he said that he wasn't sure about the test results because they are not widely accepted in the mainstream, but that's not to say that they won't be at some point. He told me that if being off of gluten is working for me, then to stay off of it. He said I very well may be celiac, that there is some overlap between celiac and MC. He didn't think I needed anymore tests, that going gluten free is one of the tests he would suggest and I had clearly shown that it helped my symptoms. he also told me that celiac is a strange disease. He has patients who have tested positive and have no symptoms and others that have all the symptoms and test negative, but going gluten free has helped. He said there is lots of new research being done on gluten intolerance.

I don't know what happened between the last time I saw my GI and now, but he was very receptive to what I had to say. Not at all like he was last time.

Sorry I wrote a book, but his about face was very interesting.

We are packing for the move this Saturday. That's why I've been MIA.

Hugs,

sarkin · Post by **sarkin** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 5:13 pm

Denise,

Nice working training up that doctor! He's coming along nicely.

That sounds really positive to me, that he listened to you and respected the results of your efforts to learn and to make your diet work.

Best of luck with the move (remember, lots of breathing...), and also with settling in.

Love,
Sara

dgshelton · Post by **dgshelton** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 5:19 pm

Sara - I've been so lucky with my doctors lately. Maybe the difference in the way I am feeling is showing on the outside.

I also forgot to post that my tests results from my endocrinologist came back. Calcium, vitamin D, iron, vitamin B-12 and potassium, were all in the normal range. Dare I say my leaky gut is healing?

JLH · Post by **JLH** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 6:09 pm

Congrats! Great news!

Post by **tex** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 6:34 pm

Denise,

With that much improvement in your doctor's attitude since the last visit, I'd have to say that it doesn't get much better than that. Kudo's to him. Of course, it's difficult to argue with the kind of success that you've achieved, (especially since MC is such a difficult disease to successfully treat), but in the past, that hasn't kept some doctors from arguing anyway.

Good for you, for educating him without upsetting him. It's not easy for a patient to do that.

I hope the move goes as smoothly as possible. Remember to keep yourself and everyone else hydrated, and out of the sun as much as possible - it will still be mighty hot out there this weekend, and as we all know, moving is hard, stressful work.

Hugs,
Tex

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 7:13 pm

Denise,

What a terrific turnaround for your GI! I bet that he'll see you as a resource from now on. Great job!

Good luck with the move. I hope you have decent weather.

Gloria

mbeezie · Post by **mbeezie** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 7:55 pm

Denise,

That's great!! Sounds like he went to a seminar and got educated. Maybe you should tell him about Dr. Fine's seminar in November - he could learn even more.

Mary Beth

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Thu Aug 04, 2011 4:46 am

Morning Denise,

Well so happy to hear that your doctor is now listening to you and is accepting of you going gluten free. Wish we could educate them all.

Take it easy on the move and try not to get stressed out - one of the worst stress triggers is moving.

Love, Maggie

nancyl · Post by **nancyl** » Thu Aug 04, 2011 8:02 am

Good job Denise,
When my PCP sent me to an allergist and I showed him the results from Enterolab, he said the same thing. That it is not accepted, but didn't mean it wouldn't be in the future. He even apoligized for the lack of good testing used today for food intolerances.

Good luck on your move, but make sure to take care of yourself and don't push too hard.

Nancy

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Thu Aug 04, 2011 8:38 am

Denise,
Good work! I suspect doctors are getting tired of towing the party line and arguing with patients who get better on the GF diet. I think they are beginning to realize they don't know everything on the subject

coryhub · Post by **coryhub** » Fri Aug 05, 2011 8:58 am

I'm glad there are Potty People are out there educating the GI's. My GI did test for Celiac and I was negative yet on the gluten-free diet my gut aches have eased off.