Normal To Find Polyps When Having Gastroscopy Done?

[Magician]

OK, so here I am. After 10 years of non-stop gas and intermittent diarrhea/constipation, I was always told I had IBS and it was nothing to worry about. Last year by fluke I entered a health food store and a pamphlet screaming 'IBS' jumped out at me. I brought home a copy and poured over it; then asked my doctor for a referral to a Gastro doc.

The new doctor told me she believes I have been misdiagnosed. Testing began with the small bowel test and drinking of barium. What horrid stuff that is!

Last week I finally had the gastroscopy done. She saw a number of polyps and took samples of all of them.

What do the stomach polyps mean? She said she felt sure they were benign but I am wondering if it is normal to find polyps and could they be indicative of Celiac Disease?

Thank you for your replies.

Magic

[jerseyangel]

Hi Magic,

Welcome

I had an endo done just this past fall and the doctor found stomach polyps--she said that they are very common (not for Celiac Disease, but in general) and most likely benign. Because this was the first time polyps were found, she had them biopsied and they were fine. Sounds like your doctor was on the same wavelength as mine.

On a related note, I also had to have an upper abdominal ultrasound done and they found gallbladder polyps, too. These were also found to be benign.

[Jestgar]

I googled this and it turns out they're extremely common in people who use PPIs (like Nexium).

They also tend to be more common as you get older.

[Magician]

I am so tired of always having gas, gas, gas and then runs or constipation. I do not use PPIs unless the ocassional Tums is considered to be a PPI? I get frequent indigestion and many times will just drink Coke to make myself burp to relieve the indigestion.

I have many mineral difficiencies including zinc, B12, iron, etc. Yet I eat like a flipping horse. I am always hungry and always feel tired. Weight just falls off me.

The nurse confirmed the polyps are all stomach polyps and have been sent for biopsy.

Thank you for your replies, Magic

[ang1e0251]

To diagnose celiac, you must have a blood celiac panel run then your GI would take biopsies from the small intestine. Your testing thus far is for other conditions, as far as you have described.

The symptoms in your last post could definately be celiac disease. Why don't you ask for a full celiac panel from your next dr visit? Can't hurt...

[cruelshoes]

My then 6 YO son was found to have many polyps in his stomach when we did his biopsy for celiac. The Pediatric GI referred to them as Pseudopolyps, and said that they are caused in the seomach from the constant irritation of ingestion of gluten. She said they should go away when we removed gluten from his diet. She did biopsy them, and they were found to be benign.

HTH.

[Magician]

To diagnose celiac, you must have a blood celiac panel run then your GI would take biopsies from the small intestine. Your testing thus far is for other conditions, as far as you have described.

The symptoms in your last post could definately be celiac disease. Why don't you ask for a full celiac panel from your next dr visit? Can't hurt...

Thank you. I will ask. I've already had many blood tests and a physical examination.

She said she would keep testing until she finds the diagnosis. That is strangely comforting.

She did say if she cannot find a diagnosis her only option would be to diagnose me with Malnutrition.

[jerseyangel]

Magician--

Celiac won't show up on the usual blood tests. Ask your doctor if she's run/ will run the Celiac Panel--

Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgA

Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgG

Anti-Endomysial (EMA) IgA

Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) IgA

Total Serum IgA

It consists of these tests, and all 5 should be run.

[Magician]

The blood work you mention was requested on June 27, 2008. For these blood tests I was told to eat as much as I could to see how my body reacted. Gluten challenge, perhaps?

I will receive thede results in a few weeks, too, when I see the Gastroentrologist for my biopsy results.

Stool tests were also done to rule out parasites. None were found, thank goodness.

Magic