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>To: chintala <[log in to unmask]>  and the whole CELIAC LIST

The following letter just arrived on my screen.  It seems to me to be a
classic example of why it is not wise to do a gluten challenge.  I cannot
understand why any doctor would endanger the  well being of a child of
seven to do a gluten challenge.  What on earth was the reason?  If a
gluten-free diet solves a problem is not that enough reason to stay
gluten-free? Imagine making this poor child sick for two months or more
during his growth period - perhaps when teeth are being formed...The letter
said:

>>My 7 year old son did a gluten challenge about two months ago. He is
>>recovering, but it is taking longer this time. His body is finally
>>expelling the backup as gluten makes him extremely constipated. However,
>>the stools are enormous and are mixed with mucus and there is mucus
>>floating in the water as well. (sorry for gross subject)

Isn't it time this LIST, as a group, began to question the wisdom of such
action and to become pro-active ourselves in showing celiacs that they can
question the wisdom of such a test and can, indeed, tell the doctor they
are unwilling for themselves or their children to undergo such a
gluten-challenge if the gluten-free diet is working successfully?

Most Americans seem to feel we have no right to say "No" to a doctor, but
doctors are human like the rest of us, and sometimes they follow a protocol
with very little thought.   I well remember the look of astonishment on the
face of an MD the first time I said, "No, I don't think I'll do that."  I
was refusing a gluten-challenge after three months of amazing good health
for the first time in 15 years.  The second time was when a
bone-mineralization research doctor, connected with a University medical
school, who was treating me for advanced osteoporosis said he wanted to put
me in the hospital and take a piece out of my hip so he could look at it
under a microscope. I said I was not one of his experiments and would not
allow such a proceedure on a hip that was already impaired.  He was amazed
and said I would feel no pain as I would be under anaesthetic - as though
that were the only issue.The man didn't have a clue...

Just thought I'd sound off about an issue that really concerns me.

Gayle Kennedy