bitter magnet

my doctor from mit medical just called, informing me the results of my blood test (last friday i had a few tests done to see if i had antibodies against gluten, to check if i had celiac disease). well get this--apparently one of the tests was abnormal, so i'm going to have this test ( upper GI exam) done, where you drink this barium solution and they x-ray your small intestines. and no, this is not the one where something is stuck up your bum (thank god). ;-)

anyway, this may sound strange but i actually feel quite hopeful and encouraged after learning this, because it seems like maybe i've finally found the reason for all my tummy troubles (i.e. all my pain and suffering for the past year(s)). i know that Rima's test in late August said i was allergic to wheat, rye, barley, oats (basically gluten in general) but a lot of people don't seem to believe in electro-dermal testing, saying it's not scientific or something like that. also some say that way too many people think they're allergic to wheat when really it's just all in their head. whatever. rima's diagnosis said i was allergic to wheat, i strictly stopped eating it, and i felt better. if i eat wheat, i get sick. what more do i need to know? :) i guess if i have a medical exam showing that i have an intolerance to gluten then it will be sort of iron-clad proof that my system just can't deal with wheat (and i don't have to feel bad about asking caterers/dinner organizers to provide special food for me. :) ) anyway, it would be good to know. i'm eager to find out.