Hi All! I am new to the forum and I am SO happy I came across this site. I have been reading and researching all of your very helpful posts for the past week+. I am 29 years old. I was diagnosed with LC May 2016, but symptoms started Jan 2013. I was on Budesonide for 6 months, of course symptoms came back after I tapered off. I got off the med because of other symptoms--headache, nausea, rash, mouth sores. I was off Budesonide for 2 months and still had all symptoms. I was told by different people that gluten may be the cause, so I experimented with gluten free foods for a few days and sure enough--symptoms went away. Now knowing that I have a gluten intolerance, I need to step it up and start healing myself. After explaining to my doctor why I did not want to continue with Budesonide, he did not even suggest a gluten allergy. He advised me to see a headache specialist and to come back to him after and he will treat me for my LC. After more and more research, I came across the AIP diet. I started that 2 weeks ago and my D was on another level! I've experience severe weigh loss within the past few weeks and cannot keep a (small) meal in for longer than 5 hours.
Well... after strolling upon this site and reading posts about the healing process, etc. I realized I SHOULD NOT be eating fruit. I have been consuming a large amount of fruit for breakfast each morning, which explains EVERYTHING. For the last 2 days I have cut out fruit and have already seen a major difference. OOPSIES :( I am sticking to my "safe foods", protein, and healthy fats.
I wanted to share my story since I am new, before I asked any questions. So now my question is..
I noticed most of you ordered tests from Enterolab.com. I am interested in doing that, but curious if insurance will cover it. The website states "Costs of tests commonly reimbursed by insurance.".. Have any of your tests been covered by insurance?
NEWBIE HERE! Question about Enterolab
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
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amjordan04
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2017 11:15 am
- Location: Ohio
NEWBIE HERE! Question about Enterolab
Allison
{Lymphocytic Colitis May 2016}
Life is a one time offer, use it well.
{Lymphocytic Colitis May 2016}
Life is a one time offer, use it well.
Hi,
Welcome to our Internet family. It sounds as though you're on the right track for healing. EnteroLab is an interesting subject. When Dr. Fine first founded the lab, based on his research (he has MC himself), mainstream medicine immediately began to shun him and his work. Prestigious medical journals refused to publish any more of his research articles, and all but alternative medical professionals began to ridicule him and his work. Why? Because back then they thought that any doctor or lab that offered services direct to the public over the internet was a black eye for the industry because it cut all of them out of the loop ( and offered no referrals) so they viewed it as a threat to their monopoly on the practice of medicine.
15—20 years later, most of them (GI docs, especially) still harbor a grudge, despite the fact that virtually all of them now have their own websites, and there are many online lab services (most of which they still refuse to recognize as legitimate). EnteroLab is a fully accredited lab, and the last time I looked, there were no official complaints listed against them by the Texas Board of Medical Examiners. That's an outstanding record, considering how many years they have been in business. Still, it's not easy to locate an MD who will order a test from EnteroLab. This is important, because if a doctor orders the test it will almost always be paid by insurance.
If your doctor won't order the test, it's still possible that your insurance might pay for the test. If you call the lab, they will give you the insurance codes for the tests you are interested in, and you can call your insurance company to see if those tests are covered.
It's certainly not essential to have those tests, but the test results definitely make selecting safe foods much easier. Many of us have successfully determined our food sensitivities by trial and error. The problem with trial and error testing is that it's not particularly easy to do, and it's common to still have doubts afterward. It's always helpful to see actual lab results based on reliable testing methods. And it's easier to stick to a diet if we have lab test results to support our diet changes.
Also, it's possible to develop a tolerance to certain foods despite the fact that our immune system produces antibodies against them. When that happens (it happened to me), we may not show any gastrointestinal symptoms, but the foods may still be promoting inflammation that eventually causes autoimmune issues such as osteoarthritis, skin diseases, or other problems.
And yes, some of us have been successful in having the tests covered by insurance. But many have not, and many of us have just ordered the tests ourselves rather than to go through the hassle of trying to get an approval.
I see that you have beef listed as a food sensitivity. While it's not common, that's one of my problem foods, also. I hope that some of this is helpful, and again, welcome aboard.
Tex
Welcome to our Internet family. It sounds as though you're on the right track for healing. EnteroLab is an interesting subject. When Dr. Fine first founded the lab, based on his research (he has MC himself), mainstream medicine immediately began to shun him and his work. Prestigious medical journals refused to publish any more of his research articles, and all but alternative medical professionals began to ridicule him and his work. Why? Because back then they thought that any doctor or lab that offered services direct to the public over the internet was a black eye for the industry because it cut all of them out of the loop ( and offered no referrals) so they viewed it as a threat to their monopoly on the practice of medicine.
15—20 years later, most of them (GI docs, especially) still harbor a grudge, despite the fact that virtually all of them now have their own websites, and there are many online lab services (most of which they still refuse to recognize as legitimate). EnteroLab is a fully accredited lab, and the last time I looked, there were no official complaints listed against them by the Texas Board of Medical Examiners. That's an outstanding record, considering how many years they have been in business. Still, it's not easy to locate an MD who will order a test from EnteroLab. This is important, because if a doctor orders the test it will almost always be paid by insurance.
If your doctor won't order the test, it's still possible that your insurance might pay for the test. If you call the lab, they will give you the insurance codes for the tests you are interested in, and you can call your insurance company to see if those tests are covered.
It's certainly not essential to have those tests, but the test results definitely make selecting safe foods much easier. Many of us have successfully determined our food sensitivities by trial and error. The problem with trial and error testing is that it's not particularly easy to do, and it's common to still have doubts afterward. It's always helpful to see actual lab results based on reliable testing methods. And it's easier to stick to a diet if we have lab test results to support our diet changes.
Also, it's possible to develop a tolerance to certain foods despite the fact that our immune system produces antibodies against them. When that happens (it happened to me), we may not show any gastrointestinal symptoms, but the foods may still be promoting inflammation that eventually causes autoimmune issues such as osteoarthritis, skin diseases, or other problems.
And yes, some of us have been successful in having the tests covered by insurance. But many have not, and many of us have just ordered the tests ourselves rather than to go through the hassle of trying to get an approval.
I see that you have beef listed as a food sensitivity. While it's not common, that's one of my problem foods, also. I hope that some of this is helpful, and again, welcome aboard.
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.
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
welcome!
I cant help with the enterolab and insurance question, I did want to mention that if the insurance wont cover it, it is small investment in the scheme of things for optimising wellness when you have MC.
not sure if you read this in your reading and research on here thus far,
being in Australia and financial restrictions I was not in position to do the testing, using elimination system it took me about 6 months to confirm high level and medium level food triggers.
and as you may have read - for many here stress, whether it be emotional stress, physical stress or mental stress (one, some or all of these) is a major trigger.
hope this helps
I cant help with the enterolab and insurance question, I did want to mention that if the insurance wont cover it, it is small investment in the scheme of things for optimising wellness when you have MC.
not sure if you read this in your reading and research on here thus far,
being in Australia and financial restrictions I was not in position to do the testing, using elimination system it took me about 6 months to confirm high level and medium level food triggers.
and as you may have read - for many here stress, whether it be emotional stress, physical stress or mental stress (one, some or all of these) is a major trigger.
hope this helps
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
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amjordan04
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2017 11:15 am
- Location: Ohio