MRT Testing Underway

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 3:48 pm

Well Mary Beth your recommendation for Deb Kongle in Acton Mass was excellent, she is very knowledgeable and very up to date on MC.

I had the initial consultation today with Deb and had my 4 vials of blood drawn and FedEx'd to begin testing tomorrow.

Good news the consultations and the MRT testing will be covered 100% by my insurance.

I will post the results when they are ready.

How long does the testing take?

--Joe

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 5:40 pm

Joe,

Welcome to the MRT Club!

Some received results within a matter of days - it took more than a week to get mine. Guess it depends on how busy they are. I think all of the tests are run on the day they receive your blood. But then it takes awhile to prepare the indiviualized packet for you.

Looking forward to hearing more.

Love,

Polly

mbeezie · Post by **mbeezie** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 6:06 pm

Joe,

It can take 10 days or so to get results, so you might want to set an appointment with Deb for about 2 weeks from now.

Wow - full insurance coverage - unheard of - you must have great coverage!

I look forward to following your progress.

Mary Beth

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 6:12 pm

Great news, Joe. I received my results in just 2 days, but that was a year ago. I suspect they're busier now.

I'll be interested in your test results.

Gloria

Kari · Post by **Kari** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 7:05 pm

Hi Joe,

Glad you hit it off with your dietitian - that's so important. I believe I got my results in about 5 days, so I guess it varies. So curious about your results - we all seem to have gotten some surprises. For me there were 3 everyday staples - coffee, bananas and turkey :(. I saw an immediate improvement when I dropped them. The MRT test is a wonderful tool for the MC tool chest - gives a great "core" to work with.

Love,
Kari

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 7:40 pm

Ok just for the record here is what I think / know I am intolerant of. It will be interesting to see what the results say

In order of perceived reaction

Soy
Gluten
Onions
Lentils
Dairy
Lobster (shellfish) Although crab seems to be OK

--Joe

TooManyHats · Post by **TooManyHats** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 7:47 pm

How unusual is it to get this covered by insurance? I definitely don't have $600 to have this done.

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 7:56 pm

Arlene I think the test was about $300 not $600

--Joe

TooManyHats · Post by **TooManyHats** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 8:03 pm

With the dietitian's services? Or just the test alone?

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 8:24 pm

I think that was just for the test. I saw the price on the sheet for the test when she submitted the form to insurance. The dietitian fee would be separate

--Joe

Kari · Post by **Kari** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 5:43 am

I called the company to find out what it would cost to order the test directly from them, and I believe it was closer to 600. The dietitians get quite a discount for you on the test fee. Of course, then you have to pay them, but I think that's worth it if you get someone knowledgable.

Love,
Kari

TooManyHats · Post by **TooManyHats** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 7:16 am

Unfortunately, gone are the days where we had the money to spend $10,000/per year on out of pocket expenses on my son's therapy. No matter how worth it this is, I just don't have it.

Pat · Post by **Pat** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 9:52 am

Arlene,

Please don't be offended but maybe:

Start a little savings account.

Have a garage sale.

Sell stuff on ebay.

Get a second job.

This test and dietician services have helped me more than anything I have done and I have done just about everything!

Pat

TooManyHats · Post by **TooManyHats** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 11:40 am

No offense taken. I've been job searching for months! The problem is that I'm so sick that I don't know how I'd work outside the house. My saving grace has been the fact that I work at home. My hours fluctuate and are not enough. I am trying and have been close to getting a job, but haven't landed it yet. We sold all the stuff we could 2 years ago to pay for car insurance. This economic downturn has been going on at our house a long time already. Things are bound to get better.

harma · Post by **harma** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 1:32 pm

I am not saying I don't have the money at the moment for a MRT test (believe I have been thinking about it), but with my trip planned to Jordan I have to choose. And if I can choose between one month rent in Jordan or a MRT test, I choose the month rent. So I can understand Arlene, you prefer/need to spend you money on other things.

What it's also makes it easier is that, at the moment with my diet and entocort, I am doing okay. But for sure I will not rule out, I am going to a MRT test in future. If I read the messages here it all sounds very promising. But of course, it's a strange insurance thing that whatever medication I want, insurance will pay for it. But if I want to do anything, that could help healing my disease, that I have to pay myself. How sick is that system.