Can’t Sleep? Natural Sleep Remedies So You Can Fall Or Stay Asleep Tonight
To find a doctor or practitioner who actually gets what gluten sensitivity is (and believes in it) is a refreshing experience. Too often we’ve heard from members of our community that it took years… 2, 4, 6, 10 years (!!) to finally get straight answers on why they were sick. Why waste time and money on appointments that go nowhere? That’s why we decided to compile a list of the top Gluten Sensitivity Doctors & Practitioners.
The amount of time people typically spend sick is, in our opinion, unacceptable. It translates to loss of daily joy, loss of wages (if you can’t get to work), a decrease in quality of life, an increase in pain and depression, loss of physical fitness and socializing… to name just a few.
That’s why people who have never gone through the years of suffering with something that’s not widely recognized (and then get a kick in the pants from all the naysayers out there who try to tell us that gluten sensitivity isn’t real, can’t possibly fathom what it’s like to lose total control over your life.
It’s our mission to keep adding to this list to make this resource one that helps hundreds of thousands of people finally get the answers they need to start healing their bodies broken by gluten. (HINT HINT — leave your doctor and practitioner suggestions/reviews below in the comments!)
The Common Story
You walk heavily from the waiting room, full of anxiety, aches, pains and a slew of unexplained symptoms. Settling into a sterile white room, you turn over all the unanswered questions in your mind about your crappy health until the doctor suddenly knocks on the door. Then the whirlwind begins.
When doctor asks the purpose of your visit, you try condense down years worth of symptoms and suffering into that single, fleeting moment trying to explain as best you can what you’ve been going through. You might or might not have some inkling of the deeper problem. The visit could go one of two or three probable ways, however the most common seems to be that any possible diagnoses you bring up are quickly dismissed and your debilitating symptoms are whittled down to “your tests results are all normal“, “it’s just stress, dear”, “you’re depressed”, or “you’re probably just (Insert — constipated, nervous, not eating enough fiber, worrying too much,etc).” You take a deep breath as the doctor talks more than listens.
And before you can say “Wait!”, scripts are written for an antidepressant and anti-diarrhea meds or laxatives, and the doctor’s out the door on to the next patient. Sometimes it’s suggested that you see a therapist (which really makes you want to scream!) which typically means that this doctor has no clue where to begin helping you so they default to the nicest way to say “it’s all in your head.”
This visit certainly was not how you envisioned it! Now that you’re a $60 copay down, it’s pretty natural to feel the three D’s — defeated, disgusted and dejected. Most of all, you don’t feel heard or that your personal experience that you live with day-in-and-day-out matters.
Sadly, too many of us have had the same exact experience. So now what?
Doctor Reality Check
Truthfully, you don’t have to nor should you settle when it comes to medical practitioners.
When it comes to gluten sensitivity and especially Celiac disease, it’s important that your doctors and specialists are working with you and for you. Stay the course of finding your answers even though at times it may feel like a seemingly endless cycles of hiring and firing dismissive practitioners who just don’t get it. That’s why we’ve started this resource guide to help you and others in our community get connected with practitioners who know their stuff.
They know just as much as you that your health issues are not in your head. They know that what you’re dealing with on a daily basis is very real and that you are committed to getting straight answers that dramatically improve your health.
If you’ve been to a great practitioner, please leave their name, your experience and where they practice in a comment below so that we can keep building this resource and helping others find the support they need to finally feel better!
And if you know people would benefit from seeing this list, please SHARE IT! Good will to help others in our community means a lot!
Before the Appointment
Showing up to a doctor’s appointment unprepared can not only create more anxiety for you, but can dramatically lower your chances of getting getting straight answers in a timely fashion. Honestly, it’s a surefire way to end up wasting more time on unnecessary appointments (which means you’ll be sick for a longer period of time) along with spending even more money on copays or out-of-pocket expenses.
Here are seven must-do steps before every appointment:
1. Write out a list of ALL of your symptoms, even if they seem small or obvious. Note when they happen (a particular time of day, week, month, your menstrual cycle) and what seems to improve and exacerbate them. Chances are you’ve gotten used to some of your symptoms and you may not fully understand how all of the smaller pieces can possible play into the bigger picture.
2. DO your homework ahead of time about your symptoms, possible condition and potential treatment ahead of time, but don’t necessarily be married to it. You’re seeking help because you need someone who has more experience than you in what you’re dealing with. Your practitioner may see something in your case that you’ve dismissed. So while it’s good to be knowledgeable about your symptoms and potential treatment options, keep an open mind so that your relationship can be a conversation about the investigation into what’s wrong.
3. Request copies of any blood work or tests run by other practitioners ahead of time to create your own chronologic medical file. This file should constantly be updated every time a new test is run. Your notes from other practitioners can also be filed away here. By doing this, you can allow any new practitioner’s staff to simply copy your file before your appointment and it puts you in control of your treatment. NOTE: Do not ever give a practitioner your file. Only allow them to photocopy it so that you always have the master copy.
4. Research the doctor or practitioner before you book your appointment. Take a look at their reviews and what past patients have indicated about their treatment. It could be a red or green flag for the kind of treatment YOU are seeking.
5. Be clear and concise during your visit. Unfortunately, many practitioners are overbooked and inundated with more patients than is ideal. To avoid feeling rushed, come prepared with a very concise statement and your medical records file (as we’ve already suggested in Step #4) for them to copy and review.
6. DO NOT mention that you’ve “Googled” anything. Doing so will generally not begin your relationship with a new practitioner (especially with one who’s more conventional) on the right foot. It’s not to say you shouldn’t google anything, because you should (See step #2.), but remember that google, WebMD and blogs aren’t a replacement for a real doctor or practitioner.
7. Let your practitioner know what treatment you are comfortable with. It’s important for you to determine your own testing and treatment boundaries. Don’t be afraid to speak up and draw the line if or when it is needed. Some people are uncomfortable just diving into drug or surgical treatments and would prefer to try out more natural routes first. If this is your stance, prepare to be compliant with this course of treatment. It’s a waste of time to demand a dietary treatment and fail to follow it. Remember that you are your own best advocate.
Top Conventional Celiac Disease Resources in the US:
- University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center
- Ceilac Center at Colombia
- Center for Celiac Disease at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia
- Stanford Celiac Sprue Clinic
- The BIDMC Celiac Center at Harvard Medical School (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center)
Top Gluten Sensitivity Doctors & Practitioner:
Dr. Kelly Brogan – Dr. Brogan practices holistic women’s health psychiatry focused on the identification of root causes of symptoms and natural treatments for whole body wellness. She is passionate about the relationship between gluten, women’s health and psychiatric issues.
Dr. Terry Wahls – She is a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Iowa where she teaches Internal Medicine Resonance, sees patients in traumatic brain injury clinic and conducts clinical trials. Dr. Wahls also a patient with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, which had confined her to a tilt recline wheelchair for four years until she restored her health and now pedals her bike to work every day. She’s the author of The Wahls Protocol: How I Beat Progressive MS Using Paleo Principles and Functional Medicine and teaches the public and medical community about the healing power of intensive nutrition.
Dr. Amy Myers – Dr. Myers is the founder and Medical Director of Austin UltraHealth in Texas and is a functional medicine physician. Dr. Myers has spent a lot of time steeped in alternative approaches to medicine and that food is the key to one’s good health via the gut. Her first book, The Autoimmune Solution, is now a New York Times Best-Seller.
Dr. Mark Hyman – Dr. Hyman is the founder and Medical Director of the UltraWellness Center and is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Institute for Functional Medicine. He is also a New York Times bestselling author, and an internationally recognized leader, educator, and advocate in his field. He is the Director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine.
Dr. Aviva Romm – Dr. Aviva Romm is the mother of four grown children, a Yale-trained physician specializing in integrative medicine for women and children, a midwife, an herbalist, an award-winning author, and the creator/owner of WomanWise, on-line courses dedicated to vitality and optimal health for women and children. An internationally respected expert in botanical and integrative medicine for women and children, she has spent nearly 30 years as a health care practitioner and advocate for the health and environmental concerns of women and kids.
Dr. Jill Carnahan – Dr. Carnahan is board certified in both Family Medicine (2006) and Integrative Holistic Medicine (2005). She moved to Boulder Colorado in 2010 to join medical partner, Dr. Robert Rountree and practice Functional Medicine consulting. She seeks to promote wellness and create hope, health and healing.
Tracy Konosoke, MS RD – Tracy is America’s virtual nutritionist and a different kind of dietitian. She’s trained in natural integrative, functional and personalized medicine. Tracy is successful in helping patients who suffer from migraines, IBS, joint pain and autoimmune disease.
Dr. Frank Lipman – Founder and director of the Eleven Eleven Wellness Center in New York City, Dr. Lipman is considered a pioneer and internationally recognized expert in the fields of Integrative and Functional Medicine. He is the author of several books including his most recent release called The New Health Rules: Simple Changes to Achieve Whole-Body Wellness.
Dr. Daniel Kalish – Dr. Kalish is a Functional Medicine practitioner who developed his own method of treating health issues presented in his patients. He has seen over 8,000 patients in his practice and has a vast knowledge of the hormonal interaction often present in patients that are missed by conventional medicine. His practice is located in Oakland, CA, but he also consults with patients over the phone. He is the author of the book The Kalish Method: Healing the Body, Mapping the Mind.
Robyn Puglia, RD – Robyn is a Clinical Nutritionist with a specialized interest in the Functional Medicine approach to health. Robyn is very involved with the field of Celiac Disease, Gluten-Reactive Disorders and Autoimmune Disease. Her passion for the healing power of food, has led her to work with complex cases, involving multiple diagnoses, and chronic health issues such as ME, auto-immune diseases and fibromyalgia. Robyn sees clients in London, Tokyo and New York, and has a virtual practice that allows her to work with people who are unable to visit her in person.
Dr. Kevin Passero – Dr. Passero has dedicated his career to helping individuals obtain optimal health through a combination of the best naturopathic and mainstream medical treatments available. He has been providing naturopathic care to the citizens of the greater Washington D.C. area through his private practices in Annapolis, Maryland and the District of Columbia. He is the Center Director at Green Healing Wellness.
Dr. Vikki Petersen – Dr. Vikki Petersen is a certified clinical nutritionist and doctor of chiropractic. She is an IFM Certified Practitioner through the Institute for Functional Medicine. HealthNOW Medical Center in Sunnyvale, California is her health clinic where she sees patients and she is also the co-author of the book, The Gluten Effect. She has successfully treated many patients with undiagnosed gluten and other food sensitivities as well as hormonal imbalances.
Dr. Charles Parker – Dr. Parker is a psychiatrist, researcher, author and speaker who sees patients in his clinical practice in Virginia Beach, VA as well as via phone. He understands the relationship between brain imbalance and diet (especially gluten). He’s the author of New ADHD Medication Rules: Brain Science and Common Sense.
Dr. Ellen Antoine and Dr. Scott Antoine – Through addressing root issues with appropriate diet, nutritional supplementation, optimizing detoxification, and making lifestyle improvements, Dr. Ellen was able to reverse her diagnosis of Lupus, an autoimmune condition, as well as heal from chronic infections. Dr. Scott Antoine is a brain tumor survivor and has also experienced his own journey to health through functional medicine. Together, they run their practice in Carmel, IN where they work with patients to help achieve optimal health utilizing Functional and Integrative Medicine models.
Chris Kresser, MS, L.Ac – Chris is a globally recognized leader in the fields of ancestral health, Paleo nutrition, and functional and integrative medicine. and the author of the New York Times best seller, Your Personal Paleo Code and his more recent release, The Paleo Cure.
And if you are looking for someone in your particular area, search for potential practitioners through the Institute for Functional Medicine.
Leave your practitioner recommendations in a comment below!
Dr Parson in Fresno CA was and is super helpful
Thank you so much for this! I have been so upset since Friday when I saw a therapist for the first time. She told me that she thought that my symptoms (years of chronic diarrhea, migraines, etc) were mainly excuses for not eating and would not work with me unless I saw a psychiatrist and got screened for inpatient eating disorder treatment. This made me question my own intentions and, being the conflict-avoidant person I am I agreed to do the phone screening and it’s later today. I know this would be the wrong treatment but I just want help. So, thank you for reminding me that I deserve to be heard and to get help, and for the advice on preparing for future appointments.
Good morning.
Dr Kaslow in Orange Ca. He is all about functional medicine. He had me give my brother baking soda to bring him out of psychosis
Dr C E Gant. He is where I got introduced to mymedlab. Where you can get tested withou having your doctor order it. They have a dr on staff.
Tere
WellBeing Md, Dr. John Principe. Functional Medicine. Palos Heights, IL
Dr. Matt Angove, Chehalis, WA. I saw six other doctors before him and he immediately took me seriously. He asked great questions and ran the blood work that I needed. I highly recommend him if you are in my area!
Dr. John Hicks in Los Gatos, CA. His wife, Betsy, is a nutritionist. I have felt healthier following his advice than in the two decades prior. They do phone consulting, and work with autistic children also. I highly recommend this office
Dr. Rod Santos in Burnaby BC is a naturopath who was the first and only Dr to say I may have gluten sensitivity.
How do you talk to your doctor about what you already read or heard without ticking them off? They don’t like me asking questions.
Brenda, if your doctors don’t like you asking questions, then that’s probably a sign to get yourself some new doctors. That said, please please please listen to next week’s podcast. It’s all about patient advocacy from a woman who wrote an amazing book that’s won awards on the topic. I think you’ll get a lot of insight from her interview and I’d love to hear what you learn from it.
Part of the issue is that doctors may feel that you are questioning their judgment by asking questions. It sounds to me like you want honest feedback about what you’ve read or heard. Now realize that traditional/conventional doctors may not have read or heard what you have. If they have, they may have dismissed it if the sole source of their knowledge is coming from conventional resources. If you’re looking to get an honest EDUCATED opinion, then the first question may not be “Have you heard of x, y or z?” but “How interested are you on alternative and emerging treatments for my condition or symptoms and do you have any experience with this?” You’ve got to decide what’s most important to your own treatment plan and then seek out physicians and practitioners that will work WITH you. Does this make sense?
Jennifer
Sorry I was kind of vague in my last comment. I was working with a holistic doctor who does do alternative medicine. I have Hashimoto’s and I’ve read some about my condition and gut healing which is important. I heard this doctor speak publicly about leaky gut so I thought she had a full understanding of it. Everything I’ve read said that you don’t eat quinoa, lentils, or rice (grains) while gut healing. She had me doing a detox diet which contained all three. Plus taro chips cooked in canola oil (a bad fat) and brown rice cakes. I was trying to comply and do what the doctor told me but having a hard time because I didn’t agree with the diet. When I went back after my detox and told her I ate only things on the list but left some of the food out because I just didn’t feel like eating that much. (She had me doing detox shakes up to three times a day.) She got mad at me and told me to do the detox over. When I told her I didn’t think I should be eating lentils because they are not good during gut healing she told me not eat them the next time but offered no discussion and skirted around my objections to this diet and just got mad and told me to do it over. Technically the diet also had nuts and seeds and other things not normally on a gut healing diet but I didn’t complain about all of them. She told me to stop reading articles and that her patients that do the best are totally open minded and just trust her and do what she says. After the 2nd go around of the detox, which I still didn’t do perfectly and didn’t eat all the foods, my anxiety was building and decided I couldn’t work with this doctor and decided not to go back. This is just one example. There are other reasons I was unhappy with her. I want to educate myself on my condition and at this point of going from doctor to doctor I feel like we could do better reading the latest books in the country about autoimmunity and figuring out a plan for myself then going to a doctor for help. But yet I know I am not the intellectual type (even though my husband is) and am worried we will miss something. I just want to know…………how do you work with a doctor when you have learned things and they know things and they don’t match up? They are the authority figure and intimidating. They need to feel smart and doctors tend to have big egos. I am open to discussing what I learned or heard and if they have an explanation as to why that information is wrong or not right for me then I would like to hear it. I just want to get to the truth. But it seems they are good at skirting the questions and bad at honest discussion. I would like my relationship with my doctor to feel more like a partnership. I am the quiet type who has trouble asserting herself so when a doctor is intense or authoritative I shut down and can’t think on the spot. I’m just not sure how to do this doctor thing better? There are not that many that understand my condition to begin with.
I’m in Colorado Springs in case anyone knows of a good doctor in my area that treats autoimmunity through diet, testing, supplements and gut healing.
Brenda, When you want to work with a doctor who already knows certain things and there’s a mismatch in priorities and interests, then it’s time to look for a doctor who shares your values for treatment. You can’t make a doctor conform to your ideas. If they aren’t interested, then keep on looking for someone else.
Yes- I agree. I just fired my last doctor. Each time I learn something more about what to look for in a doctor but it is expensive to keep looking. I am learning a little more each time how to communicate with them better.
Dr. Nathan Goodyear and Nan Sprouse, APN are fabulous functional medicine providers. Dr Goodyear is a board certified OB-Gyn as well and has written “Man Boob Nation”. . They are located in Knoxville, Tn.
Check out their website. Seasonswellness.com
I was diagnosed with Hashimotos and Gloria was the only person that was able to help me by discovering my gluten sensitivity. She is so empathetic and caring.
Gloria Moreira is a Florida State Licensed and NCCAOM Board Certified Acupuncture Physician holding a Master’s in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Miami, Florida
http://www.miamiholisticcenter.com/about/about.htm
There are no functional medicine doctors in my area, but I do follow Dr Peter Osborne on his
website. I am surprised he wasn’t on list of gluten specialists. He is well known & has a lot of
information and informative videos on his website.
when I go to my doctors, I take copies (not my originals) of lab work,EKG, other doctor notes etc. if you take your originals, I recommend numbering the pages. I have had pages go missing.
Dr. Derrick DeSilva is an Integrated Medicine Doctor that was recommended to me by my chiropractor. His office is located in Edison, NJ. He has a YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxfyUYbtf_u_Zz7IszsyUFQ and a website http://www.askdrdesilva.com/ .
Dr. Penny Goldstein is located on Staten Island, NY. She is a chiropractor who also does nutritional therapy. She uses muscle testing, and has helped my family and I in many ways over the last 25 years.
Dr Nancy Fazekas Grubb, MD
Optimal Health Institute of Ohio
4030 Massillon Rd Suite C, Uniontown, OH 44685
(330) 699-1500
AWESOME doctor! She takes the time to listen….
I am a doctor in Monterrey, Mexico, and since 1989 I have been diagnossed with wheat allergy, I have urticaria,hives if ai eat weat and exercise, and very rare condition related to exercise. I practice here as a Family and Pediatric speacilist, I have seen lots of children with gluten sensitivity, specially since in my city it is a tradition to eat flour tortillas, the rest of Mexico eat corn tortillas. I struggle like all you, but not with the diagnosis, but with the people, family, coooks, friends, who dont believe such a sensiticity exist and dont care and give you the food, like one time I went to a seafood restaurant and I asked for seafood soup but I call the waiter to ask the cook if it has some weat on it. They said NO, I ate my soup,and once went to the rest room apwalking I had the hives, they have to take me to the hospital, and so on, I understand all you as a patient and as a doctor, if you find some doctor that give you this diagnosis, beleve it, the wheat gliadin reacts whe you move.
Valerie Varela, Nurse Practitioner in Londonderry, NH. I have been seeing her for years, she saved my gluten overloaded life.
Christopher Witherspoon, MD in Rockwall, TX. He took me seriously and kept looking until he found the problem.
I’m looking for a doctor in the Boston MA
Area for my two sons, ages 19 and 13. Any recommendations would be helpful.
Thank you
Can anyone recommend a Dr in Philadelphia, PA?
Or a nutritionist w Celiac experience? Holistic approach would be great too. I’m on the waiting list to see a nutritionist and my appointment isn’t until July I’m really struggling.
For LIFESTYLE practicals after finally being diagnosed doctors usually NEVER KNOW what to do but I GO CALL OR SEE JOSEPH A. CAMERIERI, 18 YEARS OF being gluten free. The best consultant in the everyday practicals.
Dr. Christina Tennyson, affiliated with mount Sinai in NYC and Brooklyn. Excellent dr!
Julie Mitchell is a Board Certified Naturopathic Doctor, Certified Nutritionist, Certified Natural Health Professional, and founder of The Nutrition and Wellness Center in Williamsburg Virginia.
She saved my life!
Please add Dr. Scott Banks at http://www.banksnutrition.com out of Virginia Beach, VA. He has saved my life.