2nd Biospy?

[L13]

I recently had a blood panel done (Sept 09) and it was Very Positive. Friday I had my biopsy. However, my doctor (on our first visit and b/f my biopsy) said that he likes to do 2 biopsies. He does one to confirm and then another in 5-6 months to make sure my body is healing. I have never heard that and don't like the idea of that. I am very disappointed by that b/c it is invasive and a simple blood panel will test negative if I am doing well with my diet.

I may have to switch doctors - I will if I have to but I want to have him a second chance. Maybe I read him wrong...

[ravenwoodglass]

That really is not uncommon. If your feeling better and symptoms have resolved then it is up to you whether you want another scope. It is your choice whether to have one done or not. Also be aware that there can be false negatives with biopsy so as soon as the biopsy is done start the diet. Your body may give you the answer before the biopsy results come in. Do not start the diet until all testing is finished. Hopefully your biopsy is scheduled soon. If they do give you a biopsy date that is not real close you can ask to be put on a cancelation list if your schedule lets you drop everything on short notice.

[Gemini]

  L13 said:

I recently had a blood panel done (Sept 09) and it was Very Positive. Friday I had my biopsy. However, my doctor (on our first visit and b/f my biopsy) said that he likes to do 2 biopsies. He does one to confirm and then another in 5-6 months to make sure my body is healing. I have never heard that and don't like the idea of that. I am very disappointed by that b/c it is invasive and a simple blood panel will test negative if I am doing well with my diet.

I may have to switch doctors - I will if I have to but I want to have him a second chance. Maybe I read him wrong...

I always have to laugh out loud when I hear this. My doctor, who I really like and respect, said the same thing. I was about 2 years into the gluten-free diet, was doing exceptionally well and by then, was pretty much asymptomatic for anything. I looked at her as she tried to convince me to have a scope done to see if I was healing well and had to suppress a laugh. Don't you think the fact that I am doing so well and have gained weight is a sure fire indicator that I am healing well?

HELLOOOOOOOO! She smiled and laughed herself. I blame it on the AMA training they get....the patient is too stupid to figure that out for themselves!

My plan was to see how well I did on the diet and if my issues were still there or not completely resolved, then I would be scoped. I didn't have the scope and am perfectly comfortable with my decision. My blood work also backed up the fact of my recovery so it was a no-brainer for me.

If you do not want to be scoped for good reasons, then be firm with him. If he doesn't like your decision, then you may have to find another doctor.

[cat3883]

My gastro says he only does one biopsy. The exception to that would be if my bloodwork would come back high. He does check my blood every 6 months. By the way I got my tgg down to 4 in 1 year. 0-19 is normal.

[jkr]

My GI didn't want to do a repeat biopsy. I don't feel the need to have another one anyway. He didn't even tell me to come back for repeat blood tests which I think I should have.

I am going to call him in a couple of months (I had the endoscopy in July) and ask him when he wants me to have another blood test. I had forgotten to ask him about this when I was there in August.