Questions Prior To Colonoscopy

[yaelchai]

I have two children (and probably three since the third tested positive on the blood test) with celiac. I started having stomach issues (chronic diarrhea) at the ripe old age of 58. None of the blood tests have confirmed celiac, and I am now going to have a colonoscopy this week. The gastro did not seem very convinced that my symptoms were caused by celiac (although for the month I stayed off of gluten (after the blood tests)) I was much improved. He mentioned that he wanted to look at the blood tests before deciding to do a biopsy. Is there anything I need to (try to) insist on? I don't want to go through all this and still not have an answer! Thanks!

[GlutenWrangler]

Well, a colonoscopy won't help to diagnose Celiac Disease, unless the doctor is also doing an endoscopy with biopsy. But it doesn't sound like he's going to do that. If you want him to check for celiac disease, you should demand an endoscopy with biopsy. On the other hand, you did improve when you went gluten-free, and you don't need an official diagnosis to get better. Even if he does perform a biopsy and it comes out negative, there's still a very high probability that you have celiac disease, especially considering that your kids have it. They got half of their genes from you. If you're not dead set on an official diagnosis, just go gluten-free again. If you are, find a new doctor who will do the appropriate tests.

[jerseyangel]

I have two children (and probably three since the third tested positive on the blood test) with celiac. I started having stomach issues (chronic diarrhea) at the ripe old age of 58. None of the blood tests have confirmed celiac, and I am now going to have a colonoscopy this week. The gastro did not seem very convinced that my symptoms were caused by celiac (although for the month I stayed off of gluten (after the blood tests)) I was much improved. He mentioned that he wanted to look at the blood tests before deciding to do a biopsy. Is there anything I need to (try to) insist on? I don't want to go through all this and still not have an answer! Thanks!

Definately ask your doctor to take biopsies from both sides of the colon to rule out microscopic colitis. This can cause the chronic diarrhea.

According to my GI, m.colitis is associated with Celiac. I'm being treated for it presently and am doing much better.