Re: Becky's update

[Guest guest]

> Hi all,

>

> I just wanted to update you on things. They are moving along

rather

> quickly. I recieved a call from my gastro dr yesterday. He thinks

he

> has an answer to al this madness. finally.

> I am scheduled for a biopsy next Wednesday to check my Esophagus,

> stomach and small intestine for the presence of Sprue.

> We are looking @ a Celiac Disease for the cause of all this. An

> allergy to Gluten. If it is this simple I will be so thrilled!

This

> explains everything........I have sent the page to the group if

anyone

> would want to read it. It might help someone else! I just can't

> believe it would be that simple!

>

> I hope everyone is having a great day!

>

> Becky

Becky,

My name is Cat, and I just recently joined this group. In addition

to Pancreas Divisum, I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease about three

years ago. If you would like more info on Celiac Disease, I'd be

happy to provide it. It can be quite confusing at first because

there are so many " hidden sources " of gluten in everyday foods. I've

been working for the last year, writing a cookbook for Celiacs...and

because of my many illnesses (mostly digestive related) I have

researched the disease extensively. I'm what you would call a pro-

active patient.

I spent so many years being misdiagnosed, that I make sure I know

what is what, so to speak, with my health care. Usually, I have to

explain to new doctors about my illnesses, and Celiac Disease is one

of the diseases that the average doctor has very little knowledge of.

It's great that your doctor is looking for this disease. It is

grossly underdiagnosed simply because they don't think it is as

prevalant as it is. (Most Celiacs have been previously misdiagnosed

with IBS). Every other country in the world relates statistics of 1 -

300 people with Celiac Disease. The United States says that the

statistics are 1 - 10,000. Some countries, like Italy, routinely

screen ALL childen for the disease.

Hope some of this helps. If you are looking on-line, look for

articles by a Dr. Joesph Murray. He is one of the leading

authorities on Celiac Disease. His articles have very important

information that you may want to look at regarding the biopsy and

diagnosis. It's really important that you do not go on a gluten-free

diet until after the biopsy. If you begin the diet first (some

doctors say to just stop eating gluten for a while and see if it

works). The problem with that is that once you remove gluten from

your diet, your body does not make the anti-bodies that are needed

for detection of Celiac Disease. What results, is often a False-

Negative test.

Let me know if you have any questions. I wish someone could've

helped me when I first got the diagnosis. There is a simple solution

to Celiac Disease (A life-time diet free of all forms of

gluten )...But it can get more than a little complicated when

applying that in real life.

I hope that you get to the bottom of your symptoms, and get some

relief.

Cat

If you have any questions about the testing, biopsy, symptoms...etc..

let me know.