1st Gi Appt For Isaac

[Jenybeen]

I posted here for the first time about a week ago. To read our story go here: Open Original Shared Link

And here is our update:

We saw Dr. Tran today, Isaac's new GI doctor. After a full exam and family history, the doctor thinks Isaac may have either Celiac Disease or Crohn's Disease, but it could also be a number of other conditions. Isaac had 6 vials of blood drawn (not fun!), and it took two sticks to get all that we needed. We are going to be taking stool samples every day for 3 days and running those up to the lab, and the office is supposed to be calling me in the next day or so to schedule an endoscopy. They will also go from the bottom up (if you know what I mean), so they can get a good look at his colon, too. I do not want him to have to go through all this, and I am scared out of my mind. Dr. Tran assured me that it is a routine procedure for him and that Isaac won't feel a thing...but still. So once the biopsy results are back in, we will take all the blood/stool/biopsy results and create the big picture and hopefully figure out what's wrong with my little guy.

The doctor said that right when he looked at Isaac he knew he had some growth/mal-nutrition issues. Apparently the visible veins on his forehead are a big sign, and something about the shape of his forehead in comparison to his head signifies mineral deficiency. These things can be reversed, he said. I didn't really understand all that, and he mentioned it towords the end of the appointment when my brain was already in overload. He's pretty sure the food that Isaac is eating is not being absorbed properly and is causing the growth issues. I am happy that someone finally sees that this isn't normal and we will hopefully have some answers soon. I don't want anything to be wrong with Isaac, but I do want the diarrhea to stop, and I want him to grow to his maximum potential. I wish there was an easier way to figure it all out though.

So for now I collect stool samples and wait for the office to call to schedule the endoscopy.

Can anyone tell me what to expect with the endoscopy? Thanks!

Jennifer

[Nic]

Hi, Jacob was 4 when he was diagnosed and he had a signoidoscopy, endoscopy, and a colonoscopy (but not all in the same day). Each procedure was fairly simple for him. The place where we had to go gave him a "happy drink" as they called it before he went in to keep him calm. After the endoscopy he was fine. No problems afterwards at all. The colonoscopy was alittle different because of the gas afterwards, they pump you full of air for the procedure. Also the prep for the colonoscopy was no fun either. But he got through it all just fine. It is worth being able to see them getting better. My son was diagnosed in May of 2005. He was 45 pounds then. I know that sounds average for 4 but not for him. He is very tall. As a 5 year old he is almost as big as his 8 year old cousin. We were back at the GI in June of this year. He now weighs 55 pounds. He has gained 10 pounds this year. That is surely improvement. Good luck.

Nicole