After reading some of your stories of your suffering for months, years, decades, I am so grateful I got my diagnosis of LC after only 8 weeks of diarrhea and sore stomach. Though other issues I have that may be related, like peripheral neuropathy, may go away also. Thanks, Tex, I did read the article.
I am also grateful that I have lots of time to figure this all out, even though my financial situation is not good I am the happiest I have ever been in my life. I lost my job but found an attitude of gratitude and realized that I have everything that I need.
I rummaged through some old files last night hoping I would find the results of blood testing I had done in 2001 showing my interolerances, I thought it was longer ago. But it seems I gave the documents to a doctor in VA, assuming I was going to live there a while. I moved to San Diego and Tucson since then. I found the doctor's office I used to go to but they did not have the records. I did find instructions on being gluten free. Oops! I didn't pay any heed to them, in total denial when I was told not to eat wheat, man aren't I lucky I've had no serious problems til now?
I'm going through my finances again, to see if I can find room on a credit card for the EnteroLab testing. I'm using Law of Attraction to manifest more money, I did get my bulk mailing job back, she dumped me so she could pay less, but I almost begged for the gig back and got it. That's $100-200 a month. I have a weekend job that pays dismally but it pays some of the bills, they've given me a few extra hours at other branches recently. The job I have that I love the most is marrying people, been doing it a year, done 9 weddings have 2 more booked. I'm starting to early a little money with Send Out Cards, got 2 realtors signed up. Looked in to being a mobile notary public, trying to get the realtor office I work in on the weekend to sponsor me and pay the fees. They like the idea of a notary in the office on the weekends, we have had inquiries and the need.
I want to know your experience with EnteroLab testing, the good, the bad and the ugly, to help me make my decision. Did any of you try and get it paid by your insurance, if so with what results?
I am off the Budosenide today, no D yet. I have a week's worth of food to go through, GF at least. Then I will go GF, DF, SF.
You know how grateful I am for this website and your generosity of sharing your knowledge.
Summer
To EnteroLab or Not to Enterolab, that is the question.
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Summer,
I knew my insurance would not pay for it. The ins that I have is with the State of Ky. it doesn't cover small incidences and we don't have a co-pay until you've met your deductible. But if something major happens I figure we can come up with the money to pay the deductible and then it kicks in and pays really well. With that being said they do put $1500 in an acct and I put $1,000 a year into that. We have a visa card (showing that amt.) It is tax deductible and we can use it for most things, meds, tests and whatever. I used that and they didn't kick it back. I was unsure but they didn't.
I'm so glad I had the test done and had they not covered it I would've managed someway to have it done. It saved me a lot of guess work. Some here didn't do it and just did the elimination diet. I'm not very patient..... Hope this helps.
You sure are a hard worker, good luck!
Love,
Connie
I knew my insurance would not pay for it. The ins that I have is with the State of Ky. it doesn't cover small incidences and we don't have a co-pay until you've met your deductible. But if something major happens I figure we can come up with the money to pay the deductible and then it kicks in and pays really well. With that being said they do put $1500 in an acct and I put $1,000 a year into that. We have a visa card (showing that amt.) It is tax deductible and we can use it for most things, meds, tests and whatever. I used that and they didn't kick it back. I was unsure but they didn't.
I'm so glad I had the test done and had they not covered it I would've managed someway to have it done. It saved me a lot of guess work. Some here didn't do it and just did the elimination diet. I'm not very patient..... Hope this helps.
You sure are a hard worker, good luck!
Love,
Connie
Live, Laugh & Love Much
Hi Connie,
I know what you are talking about, that credit card, it was called a Flex card with the insurance I had when I was employed with a corporation. I also paid monthly in to an account to help with the deductible or other healthcare costs.
I've got AZ Healthnet through the Marketplace, hugely subsidized because of my low earnings. I've already reached my out of pocket maximum of $2,250 for my 3 ER trips. Everything is free for the rest of the year. Prescriptions are $3-5. I doubt the EnteroLab testing will covered though.
I like not doing the guesswork too, I am not very patient either. How long did it take, to get the kit, send it back and get the results?
It just sounds like I am hard worker, all that doesn't add up to much. With living alone and no kids I have lots of free time.
Hugs,
Summer
I know what you are talking about, that credit card, it was called a Flex card with the insurance I had when I was employed with a corporation. I also paid monthly in to an account to help with the deductible or other healthcare costs.
I've got AZ Healthnet through the Marketplace, hugely subsidized because of my low earnings. I've already reached my out of pocket maximum of $2,250 for my 3 ER trips. Everything is free for the rest of the year. Prescriptions are $3-5. I doubt the EnteroLab testing will covered though.
I like not doing the guesswork too, I am not very patient either. How long did it take, to get the kit, send it back and get the results?
It just sounds like I am hard worker, all that doesn't add up to much. With living alone and no kids I have lots of free time.
Hugs,
Summer
The Enterolab testing was my savior. I would have never guessed I had so many food intolerances!
You can try an elimination diet, too, but it takes a long time to do it.
I was down to 90 pounds at my lowest point & I needed answers quickly & I feel more comfortable using the data.
You can try an elimination diet, too, but it takes a long time to do it.
I was down to 90 pounds at my lowest point & I needed answers quickly & I feel more comfortable using the data.
Linda :)
LC Oct. 2012
MTHFR gene mutation and many more....
LC Oct. 2012
MTHFR gene mutation and many more....
Summer,
It does cost a lot if you don't have the extra money. I think most everyone comes back positive for gluten, dairy, soy and eggs. I know I did. My insurance did not cover and those were the only tests I could afford. That was almost three years ago. In hindsight, I kind of wish I would have just eliminated the obvious four and saved my money. I did take Entocort for about 9 months, which helped a lot. I then went on Imuran which I am still taking. I think I have healed a lot, especially from the gluten damage and now can eat salads, fruits, a little dairy, soy, eggs. I still stay away from gluten and I eat all other offenders in moderation. I know the Imuran helps, but I am on such a low dose that even with that if I overeat something bad, I will get sick now and then. So I would suggest if you cannot afford it, to try eliminating the obvious for a few weeks anyway and see where it takes you.
Good luck,
Nancy
It does cost a lot if you don't have the extra money. I think most everyone comes back positive for gluten, dairy, soy and eggs. I know I did. My insurance did not cover and those were the only tests I could afford. That was almost three years ago. In hindsight, I kind of wish I would have just eliminated the obvious four and saved my money. I did take Entocort for about 9 months, which helped a lot. I then went on Imuran which I am still taking. I think I have healed a lot, especially from the gluten damage and now can eat salads, fruits, a little dairy, soy, eggs. I still stay away from gluten and I eat all other offenders in moderation. I know the Imuran helps, but I am on such a low dose that even with that if I overeat something bad, I will get sick now and then. So I would suggest if you cannot afford it, to try eliminating the obvious for a few weeks anyway and see where it takes you.
Good luck,
Nancy
You've have quite the journey, Nancy. Tis great you have settled for the most part.
Just 2 days in to Entocort I was having side affects I did not want to endure, weaned myself off it in 9 days. Glad I caught LC early, only 2 months of D. I'm been feeling generally yuck for so long though, it will be interesting to see if I feel better once I find out and eliminate my culprits.
Thanks,
Summer
Just 2 days in to Entocort I was having side affects I did not want to endure, weaned myself off it in 9 days. Glad I caught LC early, only 2 months of D. I'm been feeling generally yuck for so long though, it will be interesting to see if I feel better once I find out and eliminate my culprits.
Thanks,
Summer
HI Summer. I did the Enterolab tests only to find out later that I don't produce the antibodies that are being measured! I have IgA deficiency and about one in 300 people have this, so since money is so tight, you may want to ask your doctor to run the blood test first to make sure you are not like me. I wasted $700 :(
Leah
Leah