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

I am trying to figure out how hard I should push my doctor (or a new
doctor) to test me for celiac.  I have recently been diagnosed with
Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  I have given up dairy products and gluten
products because they seem to cause me the most trouble.  My doctor thinks
I am crazy because she tested me for lactose intolerance and the tests came
back negative.  I can occasionally eat yogurt but everything else sends my
intestines into a tailspin.  After I gave up everything with gluten my
"rosacea" (at least thats what the dermatologist called it) cleared up and
my intestines are pretty much "normal".I think my doctor may have tested my
blood for celiac (I have a call into her to find out), but I am assuming
that they also came out negative or she would have told me.   Anyway, I
have a couple of questions:

1.  For those of you who are (or were) lactose intolerant, did you test
positive for it or did you just know that you were?  Which test did they
give you - breath or blood?

2.  How important is a firm diagnosis?  If I am staying GF, aren't I doing
everything I would do if diagnosed?

3.  Is it possible for the blood test to be negative and still be celiac?
or am I probably gluten intolerant?

4.  Has anyone else been having trouble with Corn Pops lately?  My
intestines and my skin are acting like I am getting a little (very small)
amount of gluten and the only thing that I can trace it to is Corn Pops.
They haven't bothered me before now.

Thanks for any help you can give me.  I will summarize responses for the
list.

Colby Ray