Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Biopsy - Got Some Questions

Sparkle1988

Recommended Posts

Sparkle1988 Rookie
Sparkle1988
Posted

Hi everyone

I have had an EMA blood test which came back negative. I have now been booked in for a biopsy appointment which is at the end of this month. Could someone please let me know what happens when you go in for a biopsy? Also, would you recommend the throat spray or the sedation. This may sound a bit stupid, but, is the sedation just the gas or is an injection? I am a bit nervous about the biopsy and want the sedation, but I am also scared of needles! lol.

Thanks,

Sparkle1988

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
Hi everyone

I have had an EMA blood test which came back negative. I have now been booked in for a biopsy appointment which is at the end of this month. Could someone please let me know what happens when you go in for a biopsy? Also, would you recommend the throat spray or the sedation. This may sound a bit stupid, but, is the sedation just the gas or is an injection? I am a bit nervous about the biopsy and want the sedation, but I am also scared of needles! lol.

Thanks,

Sparkle1988

The biopsy process is an easy one for most of us. If you decide to go with sedation they would generally use IV sedation. If the idea of an IV makes you too stressed out you could go with just the throat spray. Either way what happens is they would put a mouthpiece in your mouth and then you swallow a thin tube, the endoscope, With this tube they can look at the inside of you small intestine and then do a biopsy. There are no nerve endings in there so the biopsy process shouldn't be uncomfortable. I personally would go with the sedation but you should mention your needle fears to your doctor. They might be able to give you an oral sedative to relieve your anxiety that you could take before you go for the procedure.

ang1e0251 Contributor
ang1e0251
Posted

I was really nervous about the endoscopy but it really was a piece of cake. I had sedation and it was the easiest I've ever had. It didn't make me sick like most do and didn't leave me all heavy and dopy either. I don't remember a thing. It seems like I blinked and they told me it was all over!

I don't honestly remember if the sedation was a pill or IV but it wasn't a mask which I dislike, would much rather have a shot. I just remember feeling stupid that I'd put it off when it really was so simple.

Sparkle1988 Rookie
Sparkle1988
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for your replies.

I think I will go to my doctor before my biopsy and ask if they can give me something that would make me more calm about getting the sedation (if it is an injection).

The procedure doesn't last very long anyway does it?

Serversymptoms Contributor
Serversymptoms
Posted
Thanks for your replies.

I think I will go to my doctor before my biopsy and ask if they can give me something that would make me more calm about getting the sedation (if it is an injection).

The procedure doesn't last very long anyway does it?

I don't know, I think I would feel more comfortable with the throat spray than being injected with a needle to calm. Only the thought of something going wrong with the injection, it will already be in your blood system. As oppose to just throat spray. I think when given the option of not being injected with a needle, most likely a good deal.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
I don't know, I think I would feel more comfortable with the throat spray than being injected with a needle to calm. Only the thought of something going wrong with the injection, it will already be in your blood system. As oppose to just throat spray. I think when given the option of not being injected with a needle, most likely a good deal.

The chance of an adverse reaction to the anesthesia that they would use is not a high one. The procedure is a very quick procedure and the anesthesia is a light anesthesia that would wear off quickly. Also in the rare event of an adverse reaction to the anesthetic the anesthesiologist would be right there to counter any ill effects.

brianwi Newbie
brianwi
Posted
Hi everyone

I have had an EMA blood test which came back negative. I have now been booked in for a biopsy appointment which is at the end of this month. Could someone please let me know what happens when you go in for a biopsy? Also, would you recommend the throat spray or the sedation. This may sound a bit stupid, but, is the sedation just the gas or is an injection? I am a bit nervous about the biopsy and want the sedation, but I am also scared of needles! lol.

Thanks,

Sparkle1988

I just had the upper endoscopy and a colonoscopy today, and other than the colonoscopy prep the anxiety was the worst part. The staff at the facility where I had my procedure done were wonderful, and it was nowhere near the big deal I thought it would be. In my case, they used an IV for sedation (the IV was just a pinch, not painful at all) and they had me gargle and then swallow some sort of medication to numb my throat. I remember very little of the procedure, I know they put some sort of a plastic guard in my mouth to keep me from biting down on the endoscope, and I do recall some slight discomfort during the colonoscopy. It seemed as though as soon as it started it was over. Now it's just the wait for the results.

Try to relax and not think about it too much. Best of luck to you!

BrianWI

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


zero Newbie
zero
Posted

I also had the biopsy and colonoscopy at the same time with an IV and I would have to say that was the easiest medical test I have ever had. The anesthesia started and after a few seconds I was waking up in another room and I couldn't tell that anything had happened. Walking was a little bit of a challenge for the first half hour as there was some residual dizziness from the anesthesia.

MKat Explorer
MKat
Posted
Hi everyone

I have had an EMA blood test which came back negative. I have now been booked in for a biopsy appointment which is at the end of this month. Could someone please let me know what happens when you go in for a biopsy? Also, would you recommend the throat spray or the sedation. This may sound a bit stupid, but, is the sedation just the gas or is an injection? I am a bit nervous about the biopsy and want the sedation, but I am also scared of needles! lol.

Thanks,

Sparkle1988

I had negative blood work too and I'm having the endoscopy tomorrow! It was helpful to have this info today! I've always tested negative w/blood work and am desperately hoping for a positive biopsy (doesn't it wound weird to hope for a disease!) I went mostly gluten free back in the spring and felt worlds better...until I ate barley. I've been eating gluten again for a couple of months and feel miserable. So..I'm hoping for a positive test result.

One question - how long does is normally take to get results back? Do you get immediate answers from the visual aspect then wait for the biopsy?

Roda Rising Star
Roda
Posted
I had negative blood work too and I'm having the endoscopy tomorrow! It was helpful to have this info today! I've always tested negative w/blood work and am desperately hoping for a positive biopsy (doesn't it wound weird to hope for a disease!) I went mostly gluten free back in the spring and felt worlds better...until I ate barley. I've been eating gluten again for a couple of months and feel miserable. So..I'm hoping for a positive test result.

One question - how long does is normally take to get results back? Do you get immediate answers from the visual aspect then wait for the biopsy?

After my endoscopy the doctor came in and told me what he found from the visual inspection. He told me I had distal esophagus inflamation, a normal appearing stomach, mild abnormal looking duodenum, that he took a biopsy from the stomach for h pylori and six samples of tissue for the small bowel biopsy and that he did not really think it was celiac but we will see when the results come back. I got a phone call a week later that the biopsy was positve. So yes it was nice of them to tell you what they saw and how the procedure went, but you'll need to consider the biopsy results. I was pretty lucky to get in for my endoscopy pretty guickly. I had my consult with the gi and the next week was my procedure with the biopsy results a week later. I think as for as scheduling the test so quickly I got in because I work where I had it done and the results because we are not as busy as a lot of big medical centers. Just ask your doctor what is standard protocol but I wouldn't think it should tate a month.

MKat Explorer
MKat
Posted
After my endoscopy the doctor came in and told me what he found from the visual inspection. He told me I had distal esophagus inflamation, a normal appearing stomach, mild abnormal looking duodenum, that he took a biopsy from the stomach for h pylori and six samples of tissue for the small bowel biopsy and that he did not really think it was celiac but we will see when the results come back. I got a phone call a week later that the biopsy was positve. So yes it was nice of them to tell you what they saw and how the procedure went, but you'll need to consider the biopsy results. I was pretty lucky to get in for my endoscopy pretty guickly. I had my consult with the gi and the next week was my procedure with the biopsy results a week later. I think as for as scheduling the test so quickly I got in because I work where I had it done and the results because we are not as busy as a lot of big medical centers. Just ask your doctor what is standard protocol but I wouldn't think it should tate a month.

I had my endoscopy yesterday and it was a piece of cake...although I'm still groggy today - but I'm groggy a lot anyway. He said he thought he saw some damage then he wasn't sure so we'll wait on the biopsy report next week. He also said he'd be interested in doing genetics testing...so now I need to read up on that :) I would be gonig gluten free (again - did the challenge for the testing) starting today but we leave for vacation tomorrow and to start that while on vacation would be too much for my brain....and my family :)

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      129,524
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Joe Y
    Newest Member
    Joe Y
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.2k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • DanteZaffar
      Young celiac person looking for advice

      By DanteZaffar · Posted

      Thank you! This is very helpful I’ll start looking over everything and writing down what I may be recent to. I suspect minor gluten or another intolerance. Do you have any advice on how to possibly expedite my healing process? I’ve heard taking different herbs and vitamin supplements but it’s a bit overwhelming for how recent I’ve been trying to keep track of my diet. Doing my best to feel better since I’m heaving so many annoying symptoms 😕 
    • Doris Barnes
      Products that help to break down potential accidental gluten exposure

      By Doris Barnes · Posted

      Thank you. I will give it a try. Got good reviews on Amazon.
    • Bev in Milw
      Young celiac person looking for advice

      By Bev in Milw · Posted

      Based on the amount of gluten in typical US diet, our bodies have a really high tolerance for gluten. While it  makes us sick, from inflammation, poor digestion/limited absorption of basic nutrients, & specific vitamin  & mineral deficiencies, it doesn’t kill quickly.  By this time celiac is dx-ed, our immune system are usually over worked & under fed.    Once dx -ed & on GFD, gut starts to heal & immune system function improves both in its ability to find gluten & to response to it. Basically, immune system is on high alert & fully armed so traces of gluten  can set off reactions that are as bad or worse than  those pre-dx.       You’ve reached that point so it’s time to go through products you’re using & look for little things like Vit E from wheat germ in your lip gloss/shampoo. (In our group, one member’s 10 yo got sick after usual Friday shower in mom’s bathroom with HER shampoo before going to grandma’s for weekend. Sister was doing same  in girls’ usual bathroom &  shampoo. Took months to figure out.).      Could also be ‘natural flavoring’ from barley (in some chocolate chips) which isn’t wheat-no allergen label.      One of thyroid meds (Abie?) was made on non-dedicated line. For those who got a 30 or 90 day Rx from a contaminated batch, the small trace amounts over time caused major problems, esp brain fog.      Read up on where cn where cross contamination can occur….shared cooking surfaces, seasoning blends.  Ice cream is made on a frozen line that can’t be washed between flavors —Vanilla is ‘plain base’—always made 1st on clean line, chocolate w/ darkest color/ flavor is last. Cookies & cream/glutn is in between.     Keeping food diary can help. Steno notebook/spiral at top works best.   Put date at top  of page…List what you eat in Left column & draw a line —your clock, before lunch, dinner, & bedtime snack.   Symptoms get listed in Right column in the appropriate time frame.        If you notice symptoms happen with a  certain food, but not every time, you start tracking brands or locations (if eating out) to narrow down suspects.     Spiral at top of pages makes it easy to slide pages up to compare reactions & foods on different days . Notebooks with side spiral & taking pictures aren’t as convenient for making needed comparisons.   You will need a last 3 weeks of data to start figuring things out.  I prefer starting at back of notebook so  most recent info is on top. (I also don’t have to write on wrinkled pages.) If taking Rx, keep track of refill dates & make friends with pharmacist or find new one who ‘gets gluten-free’…     For OTC meds, brand name manufacturers have advertising budgets & change suppliers  frequently to keep costs low.   Generics w/ gluten-free labels are safer/cost less. No ad budget, more $$ for long- term suppliers.   Many gluten-free ingredients are new to our diets.  I’ve met people who reacted  to rice, tapioca, xanthan  gum, carrageenan, canola oil, to name a few. Most hadn’t noticed problems before dx because items weren’t eaten regularly .Personally, I avoid potato starch found in most gluten-free items.  It’s naturally high in nitrates that give  me bone pain & blisters  Saw a note in nutrient text that said ‘enriched foods’ provides ~60% of B vitamins in typical diet. I like multi’s  with thiamine HCl because the acid  helps with absorption (Teader Joe has one at decent price.)   Since Vit C &  B’s are water soluble, probably more effective to take half in am & pm..lower doses/more often.  Sounds like you are healing about on schedule.   Keep up the good work!  Don’t be embarrassed/ afraid to ask a lot of question when eating out.  Takes a long time—years actually, to figure out that you won’t starve to dead if you have to skip a meal but ‘Nothing tastes as good as gluten-free feels!’ There are  2 Basic Rules for gluten-free.         1. Read every label, every time!       2. When in doubt, leave it out!          ( I also like— “With celiac, anything can happen & usually does.” )   I was dx in Dec1981 when incidence was thought to be 1 in 5,000. 2 kids of my kids-5 & 3, got clinical dx then.  By late 90’s, Mayo Clinic put  prevalence at 1 in 2,000,  Results of study done by European drs in US to validate tTg antibody testing for use in US estimated  prevalence to be 1 in 134 with only 3% diagnosed. Awareness campaign followed & within  -1O yrs rate of dx jumped to 18% before stalling.     Since antibody testing is specific for dx-ing celiac, it’s only done IF dr suspects celiac & orders test. Because of my dx, my daughter was screened/ biopsy dx in 2007, along w/ 2 grands, & 2 more since ‘20. (3 of 3 kids, 4 of 5 grands.)     Unfortunately, symptoms of celiac are still unknown so drs don’t test, leaving 80+% of sufferers un-dx. Given the odds, getting a dx is truly a blessing and GFD has never been easier than it is today thanks to allergen and gluten-free labeling laws.      Congratulations on you dx!                                  
    • Scott Adams
      Celiac.com Disease & Gluten-Free Diet Support Since 1995 - Articles.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

    • Scott Adams
      How to Find a Celiac-Savvy Doctor – Tips & Resources

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Finding a doctor who truly understands celiac disease can be challenging—many still rely on outdated info or dismiss lingering symptoms. Here's what's worked for me and others in the celiac community: 1. Start with a Gastroenterologist (GI) Specializing in Celiac Look for GIs affiliated with celiac research centers (e.g., Columbia University, Mayo Clinic, University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center). Ask if they follow updated guidelines (e.g., repeat endoscopy/biopsy when needed, monitor for refractory celiac, nutrient deficiencies). 2. Leverage Celiac Organizations Celiac Disease Foundation Beyond Celiac Coeliac UK (UK): Healthcare Professional Network 3. Ask Local Celiac Support Groups Facebook groups or Meetup.com chapters often share doctor recommendations (e.g., "Seattle Celiac Group"). Example: "My GI in Boston orders tTG-IgA + DGP-IgG and checks my villi healing progress yearly." 4. Red Flags to Avoid Doctors who say: "Just avoid gluten, you'll be fine" without follow-up testing. Those who dismiss non-GI symptoms (e.g., neuropathy, DH rash, fatigue). Pro Tip: For complex cases (e.g., refractory celiac), seek a university hospital celiac program.
×
×
  • Create New...