Anyone know of a good MC doctor in Pittsburgh?
Thankfully, my doctor was able to diagnose MC right away after one visit and a colonoscopy. That said, he knew nothing about the possible link with gluten, even after I brought it up. So I had one blood test/panel for celiac, which came back negative (I understand the normal test is 3 panels).
Basically, I would like to have a doctor familiar with gluten intolerance, so that I would have a knowledgeable conversation about it, and know for sure.
good doctor in Pittsburgh?
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trialanderror
- Little Blue Penguin
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2011 8:20 pm
- Location: Pittsburgh
To be honest, most of us don't have a doctor familiar with gluten intolerance; we depend upon the advice from people on this board who have experience with a GF diet.
I haven't seen my GI in 2 years. He prescribes Entocort for me over the phone. He's pretty useless when it comes to discussing diet.
Your best bet is a naturopathic. I've been leery of them because I suspect they promote their own herbs, specialized treatments and testing. Others here may have a different opinion and can offer some suggestions.
Gloria
I haven't seen my GI in 2 years. He prescribes Entocort for me over the phone. He's pretty useless when it comes to discussing diet.
Your best bet is a naturopathic. I've been leery of them because I suspect they promote their own herbs, specialized treatments and testing. Others here may have a different opinion and can offer some suggestions.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
I am lucky to have a GI doc who understands the effect of gluten on the diet (Louisville, KY). My MC is NSAID induced and stopping the meds helped put me in remission. The dr said even with that I would need to stay GF to heal. He also said he suspected 20-40% of the population had undiagnosed gluten sensitivity. I feel very blessed to have a dr that mostly "gets it", but even with that the bulk of what I have learned about MC has come from this support group. I say mostly gets it because after being GF for 4 months he suggested I be tested for celiac even though I would have to reintroduce gluten in my diet to do so; I passed on the deal. I am very thankful for all those here who are sharing their experiences and knowledge with all us newbies. Knowing others are walking this path successfully is very encouraging.
I must agree with Gloria. I have yet to see a practitioner of any kind since my MC symptoms became catastrophic, and I am doing great. I hope to continue to heal and improve - and I do plan to bring my PCP up to date and have her run the usual blood tests for a full physical (for which I am overdue), plus if she is willing, I would like to request a couple of other tests based on what I have learned here. If she is not willing, I look forward to her well-thought out reasoning as to why ;)
We have had members who been helped by naturopathic practitioners, but also many folks who've been given a lot of different herbs, supplements, etc. that have not helped and perhaps made things worse, at least temporarily. (Lots of probiotics are dairy-based, which is an absolute recipe for MC symptoms for the overwhelming majority.)
If you are interested in testing for gluten sensitivity and other food intolerances, the Enterolab tests are highly accurate and sensitive. Many here have found them helpful (including me - I don't believe I would have figured out my reaction to eggs on my own, as it was so much milder than my response to gluten and dairy, but I am much better off since I stopped eating them). I figure I've saved most of what I spent on the tests just by eating out so much less... and also, since I am not taking any MC Rx, I mentally multiplied a year of prescription co-pays and called it a win. I really am convinced that finding this forum, and following the advice here, saved me months of needless suffering (and I have had months of MC suffering in the past, so was ready and willing to do what it takes).
I called the GI doc who originally diagnosed me years ago, and all his office wanted to focus on was a colonoscopy. Yes, maybe that's important - but I already have my diagnosis, and having a colonoscopy when my gut is wildly inflamed... not what I consider a good idea. (I was welcome to come in for a very expensive consultation, but since I already knew they were pushing the colonoscopy, I'm pretty sure how that conversation would go, and since I already knew gluten/dairy made me sick, and was improving... I guess I wasn't sure what I needed from him.)
Unfortunately, much of what most GIs 'know' about MC is out of date or wrong. That's not just accusing, or complaining - Tex in particular is exceptionally familiar with recent research in this area, and has posted links to published research articles that many members cannot get their GIs to glance at.
I hope this is helpful. Hopefully Kelly, who has not posted for a little while, will catch up and let you know what she thinks of her doc, as she is in your area.
I do hope for a working relationship with my doctor, and I do believe I will have a colonoscopy one of these days, when I achieve a stable and lasting remission. I hope you find the right doctor, too - just not sure it has to be a GI (especially one who knows nothing about gluten sensitivity).
All my best,
Sara
We have had members who been helped by naturopathic practitioners, but also many folks who've been given a lot of different herbs, supplements, etc. that have not helped and perhaps made things worse, at least temporarily. (Lots of probiotics are dairy-based, which is an absolute recipe for MC symptoms for the overwhelming majority.)
If you are interested in testing for gluten sensitivity and other food intolerances, the Enterolab tests are highly accurate and sensitive. Many here have found them helpful (including me - I don't believe I would have figured out my reaction to eggs on my own, as it was so much milder than my response to gluten and dairy, but I am much better off since I stopped eating them). I figure I've saved most of what I spent on the tests just by eating out so much less... and also, since I am not taking any MC Rx, I mentally multiplied a year of prescription co-pays and called it a win. I really am convinced that finding this forum, and following the advice here, saved me months of needless suffering (and I have had months of MC suffering in the past, so was ready and willing to do what it takes).
I called the GI doc who originally diagnosed me years ago, and all his office wanted to focus on was a colonoscopy. Yes, maybe that's important - but I already have my diagnosis, and having a colonoscopy when my gut is wildly inflamed... not what I consider a good idea. (I was welcome to come in for a very expensive consultation, but since I already knew they were pushing the colonoscopy, I'm pretty sure how that conversation would go, and since I already knew gluten/dairy made me sick, and was improving... I guess I wasn't sure what I needed from him.)
Unfortunately, much of what most GIs 'know' about MC is out of date or wrong. That's not just accusing, or complaining - Tex in particular is exceptionally familiar with recent research in this area, and has posted links to published research articles that many members cannot get their GIs to glance at.
I hope this is helpful. Hopefully Kelly, who has not posted for a little while, will catch up and let you know what she thinks of her doc, as she is in your area.
I do hope for a working relationship with my doctor, and I do believe I will have a colonoscopy one of these days, when I achieve a stable and lasting remission. I hope you find the right doctor, too - just not sure it has to be a GI (especially one who knows nothing about gluten sensitivity).
All my best,
Sara
Great memory, Sara. I totally forgot that Kelly was from Pittsburgh.
Here is a link to a post by Kelly (Irisheyes): http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=98601
If you look below her post, you will see a PM button. Click on it and you'll be able to send her a private message asking about a GI in Pittsburgh.
Good Luck!
Gloria
Here is a link to a post by Kelly (Irisheyes): http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=98601
If you look below her post, you will see a PM button. Click on it and you'll be able to send her a private message asking about a GI in Pittsburgh.
Good Luck!
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.