Just got off the phone with my nurse- I have to keep with my current dose of 20mg of Prednisone til Jan 1st (bummer) but my GI approved Panel A testing!!!! I did a happy dance on the spot. I'm sure it'll be a nightmare working it through my insurance but it'll be worth it. I asked for Panel A & C but he approved A only. Of course, the nurse didn't have the information in front of her that I faxed over about the tests, that was frustrating, but I chalk this one up to a good phone conversation.
Now I'm contemplating paying for the Panel C out of pocket. Not sure what to do.
Seems odd that I'm excited to find something wrong with me.
Entero Lab was approved by my GI!!!
Moderators: Rosie, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Deb, that's great news.
I think Panel A is really the most important. If you aren't comfortable springing for Panel C, you will still get there - that Panel was only introduced this spring, and many/most of those on this board who've done Enterolab testing didn't even have that option, but found their way to remission nonetheless. Some of the other tests are also "nice to haves," but Panel A will get the job done. If you have family members with 'issues' of various kinds (skin, joints, migraines, depression/anxiety, thyroid...), the genetic test can be helpful. But quite honestly, not many of us with persuasive gene evidence have persuaded a family member to explore this for themselves, unless that relative is already pretty miserable.
Congratulations on getting this approved,
Sara
I think Panel A is really the most important. If you aren't comfortable springing for Panel C, you will still get there - that Panel was only introduced this spring, and many/most of those on this board who've done Enterolab testing didn't even have that option, but found their way to remission nonetheless. Some of the other tests are also "nice to haves," but Panel A will get the job done. If you have family members with 'issues' of various kinds (skin, joints, migraines, depression/anxiety, thyroid...), the genetic test can be helpful. But quite honestly, not many of us with persuasive gene evidence have persuaded a family member to explore this for themselves, unless that relative is already pretty miserable.
Congratulations on getting this approved,
Sara
Well, I guess that proves that miracles do happen. 
You're on your way back to health, and it's always so much better when your GI doc is on board, too.
Tex
You're on your way back to health, and it's always so much better when your GI doc is on board, too.
Tex
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.
Happy for you and hope the insurance company won't block it. Don't forget to let us know how it turns out.-
draperygoddess
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How long have you been on your Prednisone, are you having any side effects, and has it helped with anything. Sorry for all of the questions, but my GI prescribed me Prednisone. I've decided not to take it, but I may have to start in a week or so if I can't get control of this flare, it's a bad one. I'm currently desperately trying to stop it with diet and possibley Pepto. The only med I'm on right now is Lialda and have been since about July.
Hi Rhyes,
If you have been on Lialda since July, you shouldn't be having a flare. Since you are, obviously the Lialda is not working. Not only that, but there's a fairly good chance that you may have developed an intolerance to the active ingredient in it, mesalamine. Mesalamine is a derivative of salicylic acid, meaning that anyone who is sensitive to NSAIDs is probably sensitive to mesalamine, as well. What this means is that mesalamine can cause the immune system to generate leukotrienes, (similar to NSAIDs), which promote inflammation in the intestines. If I were in your situation, I would try going without the Lialda for a few days, to see if that doesn't bring some improvement. If it worked for a while, and then stopped working, that's another good indication that you may have developed a sensitivity to it.
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NE ... 3263381320
Tex
If you have been on Lialda since July, you shouldn't be having a flare. Since you are, obviously the Lialda is not working. Not only that, but there's a fairly good chance that you may have developed an intolerance to the active ingredient in it, mesalamine. Mesalamine is a derivative of salicylic acid, meaning that anyone who is sensitive to NSAIDs is probably sensitive to mesalamine, as well. What this means is that mesalamine can cause the immune system to generate leukotrienes, (similar to NSAIDs), which promote inflammation in the intestines. If I were in your situation, I would try going without the Lialda for a few days, to see if that doesn't bring some improvement. If it worked for a while, and then stopped working, that's another good indication that you may have developed a sensitivity to it.
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NE ... 3263381320
Tex
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.