Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com!
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Endoscopy & Colonoscopy On Monday!

JessaBeth

Recommended Posts

JessaBeth Newbie
JessaBeth
Posted

Hello everyone! I have an endoscopy and colonoscopy scheduled for Monday at 7:30am. I'm nervous. In 2006 I had positive bloodwork for Celiac, but I also had a bonehead doctor who said he wasn't sure what the results  meant, and that the levels weren't so bad that I had to stop eating gluten. A.K.A. meaning I didn't stop eating gluten :unsure:

Fast forward until now, problems galore. So my endoscopy and colonoscopy are scheduled for Monday morning and I'm nervous.

 

Prep tomorrow is not going to be fun... not sure what to expect from the procedures, but hoping I get some answers and relief soon.

 

Also, not quite gung ho yippee about having to go gluten free right before the holidays ^_^

 

From what I hear, gluten free isn't that bad once you get used to it... I just heard it's 'different'... but still.

 

I'm glad to be here, hoping this is a supportive community to which I can get and give support.

 

Thanks in advance for reading and I'd love to hear any words of wisdom anyone has B)

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


SkyBlue4 Apprentice
SkyBlue4
Posted

Welcome!

There are lots of great folks here with tons of experience to help you through this. They've helped educate me and get me through the initial shock and fear of the lifestyle changes I would need to make. 

 

I, too, will be going gluten free this week. I was diagnosed months ago but am awaiting my endoscopy on Wednesday before eliminating gluten. The waiting time has given me time to research and study threads on this forum and prepare my home so I feel I am as ready as I can be. You can do this! The prep for the colonoscopy will probably be the worst part!  :P

 

For me, I try to stay focused on how this is an opportunity to heal and possibly rid myself of a ton of symptoms I've been plagued with over the years. I'm excited about that. I also try to remember that there are STILL lots of great foods to eat and new foods I'll give a try.

 

Ask questions and you are sure to get help here. 

Good luck with your tests (and today!  ;) ) and let us know how it goes tomorrow!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
1desperateladysaved Proficient
1desperateladysaved
Posted

I hope you get definitive results.  Are you going gluten free right after?  Best wishes for losing those symptoms!

 

D

Link to comment
Share on other sites
eers03 Explorer
eers03
Posted

I have had two endoscopies and one colonoscopy.  The pre surgery fast is the worst part of it in my opinion.  Make sure you have a ride home.  They put me under for my procedure.  Some people do, some don't.

 

As for the holidays, don't dread it.  Embrace it.  Buy a bread maker with a gluten free setting and you can make every bread you can imagine.  Find a handful of quick mixes that you can whip up quickly and make some cupcakes or cookies and voila!  Take your own pastries with you to the family get together and you'll be good to go.  I have been diagnosed for a year now and am so used to being gluten-free that I really don't think much about it beyond performing my usual checks to insure I am not ingesting it.

 

Let us know what they discover in your endoscopy.  We are in your corner.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Newtoitall Enthusiast
Newtoitall
Posted

I wouldn't fret about going gluten free, before holiday's it is a bit of a hassle just because there are so many holiday snacks with gluten.  Once you finally learn all the hidden sources of gluten and what you can and can't eat, it's actually pretty easy, they have replacements for anything with gluten in at least 3 different way's.  I learned of so many ways to make Gluten free bread with stuff I had never heard of my whole life.  Gluten free is easy, it's the intolerances most people develop after going gluten-free that aren't lol like lactose intolerance/corn w.e,  So best wishes to you and good luck with it all! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cahill Collaborator
cahill
Posted

the prep is the worst part :ph34r:

Welcome :D

Let us know how it goes.

If you have any questions , just need to vent or a cyber hug this is the place to be :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JessaBeth Newbie
JessaBeth
  • Author
Posted

Hi Everyone. Well, it was not what I expected :o

 

They did a biopsy and celiac pannel (waiting on those results) but... they also found a very large mass on my duodenum. He took a biopsy of that as well, and said it could be anything from a very large ulcer to lymphoma.  I am TERRIFIED. I'm so young. Cancer????

 

I can't concentrate today. I just want to crawl in bed until I get the results.

I somehow need to regroup.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

JessaBeth....I am SO SORRY that you are going through this, my dear.  My healing thoughts and prayers are with you and please remember you have plenty of support here on this forum.  Let us know what happens because I'm gonna be thinking of you and hoping it's just an ulcer and all will be well down the road.  Deep breaths and try to relax...which, I know, is easy for me to say.  Whatever the results......do not let any gluten ever pass your lips again! 

 

I meant to say......don't even worry one bit about the gluten-free diet.  It is not really different at all.  I have been doing this for 8 1/2 years and THIS feels totally normal to me.  We'll help you with the food stuff, don't worry!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

Aside from wanting to beat the 2006 doctor senseless on your behalf for giving you the wrong information, I can offer you

this thought: Please, do not get too crazy with worry because "anything from an ulcer to lymphoma' is a pretty big spectrum.

 

(And this doctor has a horrible bedside manner telling you that without knowing anything else.

What is wrong with these stupid doctors? I can see your AI conditions listed in your sig line, I know you should be G F!)

 

Hon, please hear me out. Do not think the worst because you do not have the facts, OK?

I have heard so many things from doctors only to learn later, they were all untrue. I have worried myself through biopsies

and "masses" and polyps etc....and I came through them all. 

Worrying---does not change the outcome. It only makes you sick, wrinkly and gives you heart palpitations.

 

Want to focus in something positive?

Once you go gluten-free, you may learn you do not even have type2 diabetes or Fibro or GERD. I had all those, too....and 

they were actually conditions brought on by consuming gluten and having undiagnosed celiac.

Off gluten, and I have none of those--or the other few dozen symptoms I suffered.

 

Say this instead: I am going to go G F, and I am going to feel better.!

We'll help you through this --no worries now---and keep us posted on the test results.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
notme Experienced
notme
Posted

hang in there, sweetie (((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))  i have had my share of idiot doctors, making a diagnosis 'guess' (or not) - don't give up and like irish said, you may find many of your AI symptoms vanish or at least become manageable.  there's never a *good* time to completely change your diet, but we have all done it and it has meant a much better quality of life for most of us.  i'm saying extra prayers for you that what the doc found is nothing serious. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

Please, take a deep breath.  Waiting is hard but necessary.  Use this week to concentrate on starting your new Gluten Free life.  Before you know it you will have answers and can go from there.  Know that you have our full support going forward.

 

Colleen

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JessaBeth Newbie
JessaBeth
  • Author
Posted

Thank you everyone, I truly appreciate your support and care. I will certainly come back to update ((Hugs))

Link to comment
Share on other sites
1desperateladysaved Proficient
1desperateladysaved
Posted

Hello everyone! I have an endoscopy and colonoscopy scheduled for Monday at 7:30am. I'm nervous. In 2006 I had positive bloodwork for Celiac, but I also had a bonehead doctor who said he wasn't sure what the results  meant, and that the levels weren't so bad that I had to stop eating gluten. A.K.A. meaning I didn't stop eating gluten :unsure:

Fast forward until now, problems galore. So my endoscopy and colonoscopy are scheduled for Monday morning and I'm nervous.

 

Prep tomorrow is not going to be fun... not sure what to expect from the procedures, but hoping I get some answers and relief soon.

 

Also, not quite gung ho yippee about having to go gluten free right before the holidays ^_^

 

From what I hear, gluten free isn't that bad once you get used to it... I just heard it's 'different'... but still.

 

I'm glad to be here, hoping this is a supportive community to which I can get and give support.

 

Thanks in advance for reading and I'd love to hear any words of wisdom anyone has B)

I hope this will go well.

D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      121,088
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Aventine
    Newest Member
    Aventine
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Recently Diagnosed Celiac- Need advice

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the community forum, @Anmol! There are a number of blood antibody tests that can be administered when diagnosing celiac disease and it is normal that not all of them will be positive. Three out of four that were run for you were positive. It looks pretty conclusive that you have celiac disease. Many physicians will only run the tTG-IGA test so I applaud your doctor for being so thorough. Note, the Immunoglobulin A is not a test for celiac disease per se but a measure of total IGA antibody levels in your blood. If this number is low it can cause false negatives in the individual IGA-based celiac antibody tests. There are many celiacs who are asymptomatic when consuming gluten, at least until damage to the villous lining of the small bowel progresses to a certain critical point. I was one of them. We call them "silent" celiacs".  Unfortunately, being asymptomatic does not equate to no damage being done to the villous lining of the small bowel. No, the fact that your wife is asymptomatic should not be viewed as a license to not practice strict gluten free eating. She is damaging her health by doing so and the continuing high antibody test scores are proof of that. The antibodies are produced by inflammation in the small bowel lining and over time this inflammation destroys the villous lining. Continuing to disregard this will catch up to her. While it may be true that a little gluten does less harm to the villous lining than a lot, why would you even want to tolerate any harm at all to it? Being a "silent" celiac is both a blessing and a curse. It's a blessing in the sense of being able to endure some cross contamination in social settings without embarrassing repercussions. It's a curse in that it slows down the learning curve of avoiding foods where gluten is not an obvious ingredient, yet still may be doing damage to the villous lining of the small bowel. GliadinX is helpful to many celiacs in avoiding illness from cross contamination when eating out but it is not effective when consuming larger amounts of gluten. It was never intended for that purpose. Eating out is the number one sabotager of gluten free eating. You have no control of how food is prepared and handled in restaurant kitchens.  
    • knitty kitty
      14 year old with Celiac & EOE still suffering...

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Forgot one... https://www.hormonesmatter.com/eosinophilic-esophagitis-sugar-thiamine-sensitive/
    • trents
      50 YO Male Recently Diagnosed with Celiac Disease

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum community, @ekelsay! Yes, your tTG-IGA score is strongly positive for celiac disease. There are other antibody tests that can be run when diagnosing celiac disease but the tTG-IGA is the most popular with physicians because it combines good sensitivity with good specificity, and it is a relatively inexpensive test to perform. The onset of celiac disease can happen at any stage of life and the size of the score is not necessarily an indicator of the progress of the disease. It is likely that you you experienced onset well before you became aware of symptoms. It often takes 10 years or more to get a diagnosis of celiac disease after the first appearance of symptoms. In my case, the first indicator was mildly elevated liver enzymes that resulted in a rejection of my blood donation by the Red Cross at age 37. There was no GI discomfort at that point, at least none that I noticed. Over time, other lab values began to get out of norm, including decreased iron levels. My PCP was at a complete loss to explain any of this. I finally scheduled an appointment with a GI doc because the liver enzymes concerned me and he tested me right away for celiac disease. I was positive and within three months of gluten free eating my liver enzymes were back to normal. That took 13 years since the rejection of my blood donation by the Red Cross. And my story is typical. Toward the end of that period I had developed some occasional diarrhea and oily stool but no major GI distress. Many celiacs do not have classic GI symptoms and are "silent" celiacs. There are around 200 symptoms that have been associated with celiac disease and many or most of them do not involve conscious GI distress. Via an autoimmune process, gluten ingestion triggers inflammation in the villous lining of the small bowel which damages it over time and inhibits the ability of this organ to absorb the vitamins and minerals in the food we ingest. So, that explains why those with celiac disease often suffer iron deficiency anemia, osteoporosis and a host of other vitamin and mineral deficiency related medical issues. The villous lining of the small bowel is where essentially all of our nutrition is absorbed. So, yes, anemia is one of the classic symptoms of celiac disease. One very important thing you need to be aware of is that your PCP may refer you to a GI doc for an endoscopy/biopsy of the small bowel lining to confirm the results of the blood antibody testing. So, you must not begin gluten free eating until that is done or at least you know they are going to diagnose you with celiac disease without it. If you start gluten free eating now there will be healing in the villous lining that will begin to take place which may compromise the results of the biopsy.
    • Anmol
      Recently Diagnosed Celiac- Need advice

      By Anmol · Posted

      Hello all- my wife was recently diagnosed with Celiac below are her blood results. We are still absorbing this.  I wanted to seek clarity on few things:  1. Her symptoms aren't extreme. She was asked to go on gluten free diet a couple years ago but she did not completely cut off gluten. Partly because she wasn't seeing extreme symptoms. Only bloating and mild diarrhea after a meal full of gluten.  Does this mean that she is asymptomatic but enormous harm is done with every gram of gluten.? in other words is amount gluten directly correlated with harm on the intestines? or few mg of gluten can be really harmful to the villi  2. Why is she asymptomatic?  3. Is Gliadin X safe to take and effective for Cross -contamination or while going out to eat?  4. Since she is asymptomatic, can we sometimes indulge in a gluten diet? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deamidated Gliadin, IgG - 64 (0-19) units tTG IgA -  >100 (0-3) U/ml tTG IgG - 4   (0-5) Why is this in normal range? Endomysial Antibody - Positive  Immunoglobulin A - 352 (87-352) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thanks for help in advance, really appreciate! 
    • Tanner L
      Bad Reaction To Regular Ruffles Cheddar and Sour Cream

      By Tanner L · Posted

      Constantly! I don't want everything to cost as much as a KIND bar, as great as they are.  Happy most of the info is available to us to make smart decisions for our health, just need to do a little more research. 
×
×
  • Create New...