Colonoscopy Vs. Endoscopy?

[GeoffCJ]

So I've been waiting for my stupid HMO to schedule my endoscopy for months, and eating sort of gluten light. I've had a couple of pretty bad days, but mostly feel lots better.

My the HMO called to schedule the appointment, they called it a colonoscopy. I asked the person making the appointment, and she said the GI would talk to me before the procedure (we've never met, my primary care DR made the recommendation for the specialist. )

Are they the same thing? If not, should I be concerned?

Geoff

[MySuicidalTurtle]

A colonoscopy deals with your colon (going in through the rear) while an endoscopy goes through your throat and checks out things down to about your stomach or so.

[chrissy]

definitely NOT the same thing----the each enter a different body opening-----if your doing this to check for celiac, you want the endoscopy.

[CarlaB]

They are not the same thing. The colonoscopy goes up through one end, the endoscopy goes down through the other. The endoscopy is the one where they can take the biopsies to check for celiac disease. I also had a colonoscopy because my doc wanted to check everything.

You really should not have cut back on the gluten until after the testing ... your intestine can heal and not show damage.

Good luck! Keep us posted.

[GeoffCJ]

They are not the same thing. The colonoscopy goes up through one end, the endoscopy goes down through the other. The endoscopy is the one where they can take the biopsies to check for celiac disease. I also had a colonoscopy because my doc wanted to check everything.

That's what i thought. Stupid Dr. Ugh. It took me months to get this appointment....

Geoff

[Lisa]

If you want to test for Celiac, you need an endoscopy exam ( down the throat ) with a tube that can extract 6-8 biopsy samples. Demand that they do at least 6-8 samples. A colonoscopy is a good routine exam and to test for other problems.

The procedure is easy. Make sure that you bring someone with you, as you will not remember what is told to you after the procedure.

Good luck

[happygirl]

An endoscopy goes PAST the stomach. It goes into the small intestine, which is why it is used to take biopsies for Celiac.

A colonoscopy is great to check for other things: Crohn's, Ulcerative colitis, microscopic colitis, cancer/polyps, etc. but it is not the appropriate test for Celiac.