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Dear List,

 From time to time, people on the list have talked about their 
frustrations in trying to persuade seemingly-symptomatic family 
members or friends to get tested for celiac.

My question is: what do you think are the reasons for such 
resistance? Fear of the diet? Doubt that their symptoms could be 
related? Not wanting to think of themselves as having a chronic 
condition? Physicians who deny the advisability of celiac testing? 
Being overwhelmed by too many tests and treatments for too many 
physical problems? Practical problems, like lack of health insurance?

I ask because in the last couple of months, in addition to a couple 
of members of my own family who refused to be tested, non-celiac 
friends have asked me for information on behalf of siblings etc. with 
suspicious histories and symptoms. Just yesterday, I heard from one 
who said her sister, who has long suffered from severe fertility 
problems, headaches, joint pains and etc. and has seen many doctors 
over the years, agreed that "it sounds like what I was diagnosed with 
as a child." But she still will not ask for celiac testing!

Lack of information can always be a problem, of course, but I want to 
emphasize that in the cases I'm talking about, I have supplied and 
they have read information that is to the point, detailed, and 
accurate. The refusal to test, in these cases (access to health care 
not being an issue) must have an emotional cause.

So: in the name of addressing the roots of resistance, I am wondering 
what you all know of reasons, aside from lack of information or 
access to care, that people refuse to be tested.

thanks,

Mary B.
NYC
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