5 Year Old Having Colonoscopy

[bambino716]

Hi, my son is 5 and has struggled with GI issues ever since he started solid food at 7 months old.  We had a difficult time finding a doctor to treat him, so we finally put him on a 100% gluten-free diet when he was a little over 2.  His improvement was dramatic, so we have continued the diet.  He has very bad reactions even when he just touches something that someone who has eaten gluten has touched.  He is also off dairy because he seemed to have trouble with that too.  Although not as bad as the gluten.  Well, almost 4 months ago he started having rectal bleeding.  It was daily for about 3 1/2 months but has let up in the past 2 weeks.  It was concerning so we took him to a specialist and they scheduled him for a colonoscopy and endoscopy next week.  All that to say, do any of you have experiences to share of your kids having a colonoscopy?  I am a little nervous about it.  Thanks so much! 

[Noobette]

Hello! My son had a colonoscopy & upper endoscopy when he was in 4th grade. The worst part was getting the bowel prep into him - that was pretty traumatic for both of us! The next bad part is getting the IV in. After that, he will just take a nap and wake up when it's all over.

Even though he is gluten-free, ask the doc to biopsy the duodenum anyway. I had been gluten-free for a year when I had my biopsies, and was surprised when they came back as Marsh 1 (probable celiac).

I'm a GI nurse and assist with scopes most days, so I'd be happy to answer any other questions you have.