Colonoscopy?

[Terch]

Hi,

I had an endoscopy that was negative for Celiacs. After the endoscopy I went gluten free because I needed to try somthing to help myself. I have been gluten free since September and have noticed a huge improvement in my health...which by the way I felt so ill that I no longer recognized my life. My gastro said he could do a colonoscopy if I wished to have one since he has since diagnosed me with IBS and I know that IBS stands for "IT"S BULL poop" so my question is this...

Can celiacs only be diagnosed with an endoscopy or can the damage also show up in the large intestine and be viewed with a colonoscopy. I am not sure whether or not I would atually do it as I believe that no matter what I will stay away from gluten regardless of the diagnosis but just wondering if any of you know whether they can see celiacs or villi damage with a colonoscopy?

Thanks

[lovegrov]

A colonoscopy cannot diagnose celiac. The damage is in the small bowel.

richard

[LyndaCanada]

Actually, they can still see flattened villi on a colonoscopy, in my case they did I had a colonscopy first and they could see the flattened villi and they wrote "strong suggestion of Celiac Disease" on my biopsy report. My doctor then ordered the blood test that came back negative. They did eventually do and endoscopy after I had eaten gluten-free for about 2-3 weeks. They could still see the damage but it did show signs of healing.

Lynda

[chocolatelover]

I was under the impression that they can only see the damage done to the small intestine, since that it what celiac primarily affects. Having just had a colonoscopy this week, I highly recommend that you not have one unless you or your doctor think it's absolutely necessary. The colonoscopy isn't going to help with a celiac diagnosis. I say that if you feel that much better being off gluten, then that is diagnosis enough!

[ElizabethN]

I personally would not do it unless you have to for another reason. I had two done before I was 23 and the prep is terrible. And the general anesthesia didn't treat me so well either. From everything I have read/heard they need to biopsy the small intestine to diagnose.

They never diagnosed me (looking in the wrong end I guess) but I diagnosed myself and feel worlds better. Family members have been diagnosed so I have no doubt anyways, but I think most people would agree if you feel better then that is all you need.

[LyndaCanada]

Yes, I would say if you DON'T have to have a colonoscopy, then don't it's truly awful. The preparation involved with drinking all kinds of horrible stuff not to mention the enema is HORRENDOUS!!

I think in my case they were trying to rule out a colan infection, Colitis, Chrohn's Disease and Cancer hence why the doctor ordered the colonoscopy first.

Lynda