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Hello Everyone Well,  I attended the hospital to see the
gastroenterologist.  Very bad day!  As I walked into the room, he said
that I don't look like a celiac because I am not thin.  (I have gained
weight consistently throughout my illness)   He then dismissed my
gastric and bowel symptoms, saying that if I had celiac disease, I would
be having diarrhea all day long .  Also that as it is not in my family,
I couldn't possibly have it. He said that even though I was on a GF diet
a few days before the (negative) antibody test, and was feeling so much
better without the gluten, the test result was reliable.  I then
mentioned the rash (and terrible itching) which he took a brief look at,
changed his mind and agreed to do an endoscopy and colonoscopy.  He told
me that the waiting list for this test is at least 3 months, possibly
longer and that I will have to see a dermatologist who will have an even
longer waiting list - maybe 6 months.  Its like slow torture, knowing
that this illness is going to drag on and on without relief till I can
get the biopsies done.  Sheila