<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Hi, my name is Elizabeth. I think I may have celiac disease, and have read much online about it, but want to share with you where I am now with current health issues and ask anyone's opinion if it's worth a trip to the gastro doc to check out the celiac stuff. Here are my current medical conditions: Mitral Valve Prolapse Digenerative Disc Disease (back surgery 2/93 on L5-S1; herniated disc) Hypothroidism IBS Lactose intolerance Diverticulosis Duodenal Ulcer Reflux Esophogitis TMJ food/inhalent/chemical allergies systemic candida Stage IV (severe) endometriosis (laparascopy surgery 9/93) SLE (systemic lupus) nerve disease of the GI trac--seizure activity (endo & lupus related) Here are my symptoms: Under weight all my life and currently losing weight Extreme fatigue & exhaustion Severe clinical depression Abdominal pain, bloating, distention, cramping, gas Alternating diarrhea/constipation Painful bowel movements Immediate swelling & pain of abdomen after eating Beginning in July 97, my allergist put me on a no sugar, no yeast, no dairy, no fermented diet for one month to help with the allergies & candida. I'm still basically doing that, except I have occasionally had lactose free cheese & milk. So, I really didn't eat any wheat products for that month. However, oats were totally okay, so I have been eating lots of oatmeal and oatmeal pancakes. In Aug 97, my gastro doc put me on a further restriction--no foods with tyramine (amino acid). It's an excitatory transmittor that may contribute to the seizure activity in the gut. He said to also consume no caffein, which I don't anyway, and to eliminate wheat products or anything that contains gluten. However, he said it was okay to eat oats, which I'm still doing. My question #1 is this: Since I've been gluten free for 2 months, but not really since I still eat oats, will any tests done for GF be valid? Question #2: I am currently seeing Dr. John Mathias in Houston Tx (gastro). Does anyone know him or can anyone recommend a doctor in Houston? Question #3: Based on my symptoms, I think I may have celiac disease. Am I missing the boat, or should I go ahead and have the biopsy done? Each time I have been diagnosed with something, I'll think "Okay, now you know what you are dealing with, you can follow the program, and start to feel better." It hasn't happened yet. So, I keep looking for possible other causes. It's a catch twenty-two. I don't want to have one more thing wrong with me, but I also need to know if there is so I can find the "cure." Any help anyone can provide will be greatly appreciated. You may email me privately at [log in to unmask] Thanks in advance Elizabeth