Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Letter to Kate Murphy

Kate,
 
A few months ago, you contacted me for an interview for an article you were writing about gluten sensitivity.  I just read your article.  I have to say, I rather suspect that has we talked you would have portrayed me in the demographic of "crazy people who stop eating gluten even though they haven't had a real doctor tell them they should."  As such, I'm not that sorry I missed you.
 
I felt that your article was not a fair representation of people who have legitimate reasons to avoid gluten.  Sure, diagnosed Celiacs meet your approval, but the rest of us must be crazy, obviously.  I would point out the fallacies in your article, but you know them already.  Otherwise, you wouldn't say things like:
 
"The final proof is reversal of symptoms on a gluten-free diet." "Though no test for celiac disease is definitive..."
"celiac disease has been difficult to identify, especially because its symptoms vary widely"
 
The final impression I am left with is that you have absolute trust in doctors to know what is best for you, and a distrust of anyone who pays attention to how they feel.  If that is the case, I hope you have some really good Doctors, Kate.  I've taught chemistry to too many pre-med students to share your confidence.
 
Elwood City

8 comments:

  1. Interesting article. The boys in our house must be in the 'it's all in your head' category too. However, it looks much more like it's in their body when they walk around here like a lead ballon after eating wheat.
    Oh well!

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  2. Anonymous11:50 AM

    Ah yes, good for you! :) I'm Brandi, the girl quoted in the article - I posted on my blog about the Times piece as well.

    www.glutenfreemappyb.wordpress.com

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  3. AMEN! I am not doc-diagnosed either.

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  4. Anonymous6:56 PM

    I will include my 'amen!' too!

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  5. Well I had to comment as I regularly get treated as one of the crazy people who self diagnosed. When actually I was told to cut out gluten by my specialist (who is an expert in her field) as it helps manage the pain of endometriosis. And it has made a huge difference to my pain levels. I hardly have any trouble now!

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  6. Anonymous1:19 PM

    Well, I'm happy to join the ranks of folks who are trying to go gluten-free even without a diagnosis. I got a negative diagnosis from tests, but I'm still trying it to help my asthma and fibromyalgia. I'll be blogging about it in June 2007 at www.glutenfreebabe.com so stop on by and let me know what you think! From one "crazy non-diagnosed babe" to another... best wishes, Jenni

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  7. just another amen to your post about a poorly written/researched artilce by kate Murphy. shame on the NYT for paying her her freelancer's fee.

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