<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Hi List-

Thanks to all of you for your replies to my questions about Gastrocrom.
First I'll update you on our allergy testing experience- and then I'll
summarize your responses.

Our 11-month old celiac son went in for allergy testing (skin pricks) on
Thursday...I was disgusted w/ the Dr. First, he continually questioned
the celiac diagnosis because it is "just so rare." We told him over and
over that we had biopsy results proving the disease is there- villous
atrophy. So, naturally he questioned us on our GI Dr-- who has a
WONDERFUL reputation. SO, I was already ticked. Then, he told us that if,
in fact, CD was a correct diagnosis, then it would be "doubly as rare to
have other food allergies." He also told us he was sure the tests would
show nothing, and refused to do RAST testing. He also told me several
times "he looks good mom-- babies cry!" How insulting. I do have 3 other
kids.

So, we went ahead with the skin pricks. SOOOOO many things came back
positive (several 3's) that he wouldn't even show us the results for
"fear we would not feed him anything!"We have heard that there's stronger
likelihood for false negatives, rather than false positives. We explained
to him how much the Gastrocrom is helping our little guy and relieving
his discomfort, and so he contradicted himself and said "well if the
Gastrocrom is working, that would indicate true food allergies." Still,
he discounted the test results and wouldn't show them to us. So,on the
way out I asked the receptionist for a copy! Aren't I sneaky? LOL

I have no idea how to interpret them, so I am VERY overwhelmed at the
moment. I am going to schedule an appt. w/ a different allergist on Mon.

Summary:
Some of you have never heard of this medicine, so thought I'd tell you
the common uses: "This medicine is an anti-allergic agent used to treat
inflammatory bowel disease. It is also used to prevent food allergy
symptoms."

Gastrocrom does not protect against CD, but may help lessen symptoms.
Many of you stated that you do have multiple food allergies along with CD
and that this is "a miracle drug."

One of you said:"I have been taking Gastrocrom for about 1 1/2 years now
and it has been a
miracle drug for me also.  My only diagnosis is Celiac Disease, but I was
one of the unlucky patients that took over a year after my diagnosis
before
I started to improve.  The Gastrocrom works for people who produce too
many
histamines in the stomach - I believe they call it Eosonophilic
Gastroenteritis."

Another person said: "I was prescribed Gastrocrom for my Eosinophilic
Gastroenteritis, and it helps a lot! Your doctor's description of
Gastrocrom was accurate: it is an oral preparation of a drug also used as
an inhalant for asthma. Among the symptoms of allergy that it relieves is
inflammatory reaction. Many folks with CD have other allergies, and this
has probably helped your son.

The EG involves multiple food allergies,  with inflammation and damage
possible throughout the GI tract, not confined to the upper intestine as
in CD by itself. People with severe cases may need to live on elemental
formula fed through tubes or limit their diets to less than a dozen
foods, so I feel very lucky to still eat so well. Many EGers also have
CD, and we suspect some link somewhere on the EG list I belong to.

I have found that I react less severely to some of my food allergens than
I used to, but it does NOT relieve gluten intolerance or lactose
sensitivity at all."
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Hope this gives you all a little more info...I know it sure helped me!
Thanks so much to all of you who responded!

-Richelle in UT

*Support summarization of posts, reply to the SENDER not the CELIAC List*