Do Doctors Really Know Best?

[SadiesMomma]

I am FINALLY on the roll of getting things taken care of for me physically, mentally, all togehter Im trying to make a better life for me, my honey, and my little girl.

I finally gor my family physician (whos a whole crock of s$#&e if you ask me) to refer me to a specialist! Its only taken me YEARS to get her to do so.... Uuuugh, This damn disease is sooo annoying. Obviously IM not getting better so let me see someone who knows what he heck theyre doing. Do you guys ever feel like that?

Anyway, I went to see the gastro doc day before yesterday. He gave me some pamphlets on Celiac and we talked a little about it. Nothing really that I didnt already know. He wants to do a colonoscopy (eventhough ive been on a gluten-free diet for over a year), and he also wants to do an upper Gi endoscopy. Any of you had these both done? What are they like? Scarey? Did the phosphasoda make you sick????

Im am soooo scared of the procedures, as well as the possible news I can find out. I want to hear something thats not horrible.... not like colon cancer, stomach cancer or something. My mom and brother both have stomach cancer. Is that possibly hereditary, I mean like my odds, are they higher because they both have it?

I am sooo confused with all of this. I NEED A HUG!!!! I just need to hear that Im not in this alone!!!!

Thanks for listening to me rant and nag.

[Lily]

Heather,

I've had both procedures done and they are painless. The medicine they gave me to put me under put me out like a light and I have no memory of it. I came home and had the best nap I've had in years . I have to have a follow up biopsy in 6-8 months to see if my villi are growing back. I had a barely noticeable sore throat the next day but those were the only side effects I noticed.

I wanted to have everything looked at so I could know where I stand. I too was/am scared of cancer and glad they were looking around. Better to know what you're dealing with than to wonder what it could be, don't you think?

Here's a big hug .

Lily

[Dwight Senne]

Hi Heather,

Ditto to everything Lily said!

I had both "scopies" done at the same time. Piece of cake. Don't remember a thing. Zero problems afterwards.

Generally speaking an Upper GI and an Endoscopy are two different tests. The Upper GI test involves drinking a barium solution while having xrays taken. The Endoscopy, of course, is the camera down the throat to examine the stomach and small intestine. I have also had the Upper GI test and other than the somewhat yucky tasting barium, it wasn't bad at all.

I completely understand about your anxiety over these procedures. I felt the same way. But now that I have had them, I realize my anxiety was baseless. I would consent to have any of them done again in a heartbeat. And this time I wouldn't worry a bit! So here's two hugs for you!

On a darker note, I'm no doctor, but yes, I do think you are at a higher risk for cancer because of the family history. Sorry And no, disowning them won't help!

You probably realize that it is doubtful that your doctor will be able to make a Celiac diagnosis from these procedures since you have been gluten-free for a year. I imagine he just wants to rule out other problems. Also, since I'm being a nit picker anyway, it is the Endoscopy that is used to diagnose Celiac, not the Colonoscopy.

Good luck!

[kyss]

Heather,

I am new to this board and I too have an endoscopy scheduled soon. I am also nervous, but my mother who had both endo and colonoscopy at the same time said it wasn't bad. I am going to do the test first so I know what to expect for my girls (11 & 7) if they have to have one done too. I hope everything goes well with your tests.

Here are some hugs too from me and mine.

Kelly

[SadiesMomma]

Good luck to us all!

[angel-jd1]

Best Wishes to you all!!

The worst part of the scopes is the prep. I had to drink some nasty liquid!! BLEH!! It was very gross!! I did wake up during my scope. I layed there and watched it on tv. I didn't feel a thing though!! If I can say that I woke up during the procedue and STILL say the worst part is the prep...don't worry!! Everything will be fine. Just think of it as a step in the right direction twards a healthy life.

-Jessica