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

  I had thirty responses to my queries:  If you have a wheat allergy,
does/can it give you the same problems as celiac?...and why is it so
difficult for our medical community to come together on this?  The latter
question was made out of amazement.   I received some great comments on
doctors but will not include them in this summary.

I also wrote that my Dr. only took four biopsies.  In reviewing the lab
report I found that he actually took only one biopsy from the small intestine
and only scoped "five to ten inches" of it.

I had several suggestions I take my biopsies to another lab for a second
opinion.  It seems rather pointless to take one slide to another lab.  I knew
from Vance's new member letter that the doctor should take twenty to thirty
samples from the small intestine... I didn't know my doctor didn't know!
Pre-oscopy, I'd asked my doc about the labs Vance listed but didn't think to
ask how many samples he would take. Lesson learned:  It's not enough to be
armed with the information.  You have to make sure the Doctor has the same
information--ask all the questions. (:Is bold ok on the list?:)

I had one person write that neither the endoscopy nor the colonoscopy are the
best way to take samples from the small intestine.  The scopes aren't long
enough.  That explains why my Doc only examined five to ten inches of it.
The following is from Roger:

     "...My understanding of diagnosing celiac disease is that, though blood
testing can be done for endomysial antibodies, the definitive test is to
biopsy the small intestine.  To do this, in my case, they had me swallow a
Bowman's capsule which is a small stainless steel device attached to a tube.
I had to drink something first to get my digestion going, bouillion I think.
Then after you swallow the capsule, it gradually works it's way through the
stomach, into the small intestine.  They check position by xray.  When it is
where they want it, they obtain the biopsy.  You are not aware of any pain
when they do this..."  He mentions a small amount of gagging occurs, but not
much.  This seems more logical than the scopes to find celiac.

I was also politely told not to treat the possibility of cancer too lightly.
...If the diet works, go for it. But keep getting regular checkups for blood
in the stool in case of cancer...

Here are highlights on Wheat allergy vs Celiac.:

"..If you have a wheat allergy it doesn't damage the villi like gluten
enteropathy does. Otherwise the lifestyle is about the same."

"..Count me as one who is wheat allergic, not celiac.  I do not have celiac
symptoms (diarrhea, weight loss, etc) - I get swelling of my gums/soreness
in my mounth when I eat wheat, followed by itchy bumps on my scalp and
sometimes hives."

"...I do have wheat and milk allergies, as evidenced by the fact that I get
asthma-like tightening of the lungs when I eat or breathe them."

"... you could probably find out if you have celiac instead of allergic by
answering three questions:

1. Does barley alone bother you the same way only a little less?

2. Does rye alone bother you the same way only a little less?

3. Did you do an elimination diet for lactose intolerance and were you
lactose intolerant when you first went GF?

*If you answer yes to all three, chances are you're probably celiac."

    Several people said allergy testing is inaccurate and therefore not worth
the pain or expense.   I can vouch for that.  I was tested years ago and was
told I am not allergic to cats.  HA!  I have asthma attacks when I am around
them.  The whites of my eyes swell up when I touch a cat and then my face.
(I've learned not to do that anymore!)

.. A few people wrote to say they are '...borderline as well... with improved
health on gf diet...'

"...the true marker is that you feel better....doctors won't help... just get
gf and sugar free..."

 One person suggested the Eat Right for Your Type by P. A'adamo.

From the responses received I can feel pretty sure I am not allergic to wheat
even though I haven't tested myself with barley or rye.  I have had the
weight loss and although I am anal retentive on some things, I am not when it
comes to wheat. :)
I will probably remain one of the unofficially diagnosed celiacs...
My thanks to everyone who replied to my questions.

Susan in Texas