Great post! I agree, test before treating - it takes a lot of patience! I've recently had an endoscopy and a colonoscopy (I'm 49, so I would have had one next year anyway). When I meet with my gastro doctor next week, I'll ask for an ELISA test for strongyloides (I think I had an exposure in Paris while visting Pigalle, don't ask).
In the meantime I've overhauled my diet and increased my exercise. I think doctors take you more seriously when they know you take your health seriously. Just my 2 cents.