<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> I've been meaning to write this for a couple of weeks, but after visiting the allergist I was so depressed I didn't know what to say. You guys at the list have been life savers. I've been sick for so long I was beginning to believe I'd never feel healthy. After going on a GF diet for a little over two months my symptoms have been gradually resolving, and I've felt better than I have in 15 years. So, armed with a print out of e-mail info I decided to see an allergist. Gawd, what a terrible mistake. After reading all the good information from the list, I thought things would be different this time. I assumed I would be treated with care and compassion. When the allergist looked at my file and said, "I see you're diagnosed with Panic disorder" my heart fell. "Perhaps you were having a panic attack when you ate breakfast." I told him that since I'd been eating GF I had only experienced rapid or irregular heart beat after eating certain things, and that I knew the difference between panic and allergy. In the end he ordered an Anti-Gliadin AB panel. My results were within the normal range. I know this because he wrote me a note telling me the same, taking care to boldly underline the fact that I do not show allergy to the substances for which I was tested. That same day (after two months of being GF) I ate two small pieces of tempura batter fried fish (I eat cod and I'm not allergic to glutin right?) and promptly became violently ill. While at the restaurant my stomach became so distended my husband commented on it. I developed such severe stomach cramps we had to go straight home. Thank god we got there before the diarrhea started. Later that afternoon my heart rate went up to an irregular 130 beats per minute and stayed there for about three days. This time I DIDN'T go to the hospital. No way was I going listen to some doctor tell me I was having a hysterical reaction to holiday stress. I don't understand why doctors have so much difficulty accepting the fact that I might have food allergies? Also, I defy any sane person to remain peaceful and calm while experiencing explosive diarrhea and a heartbeat of 120 or above. At the very least I'm tired of all the jokes about how much I used to belch or pass gas before I was GF. Why should any human being be forced to endure such humiliating cruelty? Thanks for listening Jeanne Barkemeijer de Wit ___________________________________________ Simplify your holiday shopping... Visit our partners for great holiday gifts. http://www.netzero.net/etoys http://www.netzero.net/amazon