Interesting Gi Appointment Today

[Mother of Jibril]

I've been having mild abdominal pain for over a year. Some things have helped (like the gluten-free diet!), but my allergist was running out of answers... so she referred me to a gastroenterologist. Fine by me. I probably should have seen one a long time ago.

Anyway... I thought for sure he was going to tell me "IBS" and blow me off. Instead, he wanted to run a genetic test for HLA-DQ. I showed him my results from Enterolab and he said, "Wow... they're not usually this detailed. It's just positive or negative for DQ2/DQ8. What is this DQ3,3?" I ended up explaining that B*0302 is DQ8 and B*0301 is DQ7... so that means I'm positive for DQ8. Yay for all the reading I've done on Wikipedia! (BTW... he didn't question the validity of Enterolab, just the interpretation about "gluten sensitivity.")

It's too late to do a biopsy for celiac disease... I've been on a strict gluten-free diet since August... but he wants to do an endscopy to check for mastocytosis (too many mast cells). This is GREAT... I've been having problems with anaphylactic reactions and my new allergist has narrowed the problem down to either idiopathic anaphylaxis or mastocytosis.

My question... how long does an endoscopy take? They're not giving me general anaesthesia... just an IV sedative. My appointment is scheduled for 10:30am.

[jerseyangel]

My question... how long does an endoscopy take? They're not giving me general anaesthesia... just an IV sedative. My appointment is scheduled for 10:30am.

I've had 3 of them--the procedure usually takes about 20 minutes or so. You will be there longer, though. It takes a few minutes to hook up your IV and all. After you wake up, it takes a little while to feel awake enough to have a drink, get up, and get dressed.

You'll do fine--best of luck!

[gaingus]

I just had my second one on Friday, it took around 45 minutes for everything. My suggestions, wear comfortable clothes, and have a driver there (long story).

[Mother of Jibril]

You'll do fine--best of luck!

Thanks Patti

The place I'm going will cancel your procedure if you don't have a driver... so I'll definitely find someone to go with me! I was just wondering how long they might have to wait.