Endoscopy?

[jststric]

I am scheduled to have my first colonoscopy a week from Monday. I'm going to be 52 in a couple of weeks. My doc first mentioned getting it done 3 yrs ago and I have just put it off and put it off and put it off. So humiliating. But now she AND my gyno is BUGGING me to get it done, so I'm finally doing it. Question, is a colonoscopy the same thing as the endoscopy I've read many of you having done?? Is there anything I should definitely ask the doctor??? I have been self-diagnosed gluten-intolerant (along with alot of other food groups) for about 4 yrs now. I didn't waste too much time with doctors telling me negative findings when this all started. I saw this doctor once when my typical allergy tests didn't come up with much and he did a blood test that came up negative. Now, maybe 3 yrs later, I'm unclear what that test really was. Anyway, Merry Christmas and a Happy Birthday to me....with a colonoscopy.

[Ox on the Roof]

A colonoscopy checks out your lower GI track. An endoscopy checks out the upper part. You could always request a two for one special. Unfortunately, I had them done at different times and they didn't bother to check for Celiac.

[Emilushka]

I'm assuming you're getting the colonoscopy as the regular screening for colon cancer, which is done in everyone over 50. That's not the same as looking for Celiac damage. The colonoscopy is a camera inserted in the anus and projected up through the large intestine all the way past the appendix to the very end of the small intestine. For those over 50, the docs are looking for polyps or growths - really any sign of cancer. They'll only biopsy if they find something.

The endoscopy is a camera inserted through the mouth and esophagus (throat) to the stomach and then the beginning of the small intestine. Even with a colonoscopy and upper endoscopy you miss a bunch of the small intestine. When looking for Celiac damage, the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine may be biopsied. With the camera, the docs can visualize really dramatic damage and the biopsies can reveal smaller changes.

If you were to be tested for Celiac Disease, you'd need to go back to eating gluten before getting scoped. Without an indication for the upper endoscopy your insurance might not cover it. Be careful with just electing to have procedures done unless you have super-awesome insurance that covers everything. Getting stuck with a bill for $6,000 will hurt.

[jststric]

Wow, thanks for the warning! I have DECENT insurance, but does ANYONE have GREAT insurance anymore??? Nope, $6K isn't for me!

[Emilushka]

The Celiac damage is more commonly small intestine, so the colonoscopy isn't for Celiac detection. The colonoscopy you were recommended is for cancer detection. Everybody gets them unless they're stubborn.

[beefree11]

I am scheduled to have my first colonoscopy a week from Monday. I'm going to be 52 in a couple of weeks. My doc first mentioned getting it done 3 yrs ago and I have just put it off and put it off and put it off. So humiliating. But now she AND my gyno is BUGGING me to get it done, so I'm finally doing it. Question, is a colonoscopy the same thing as the endoscopy I've read many of you having done?? Is there anything I should definitely ask the doctor??? I have been self-diagnosed gluten-intolerant (along with alot of other food groups) for about 4 yrs now. I didn't waste too much time with doctors telling me negative findings when this all started. I saw this doctor once when my typical allergy tests didn't come up with much and he did a blood test that came up negative. Now, maybe 3 yrs later, I'm unclear what that test really was. Anyway, Merry Christmas and a Happy Birthday to me....with a colonoscopy.

Hope everything went well for you. I think my three days of prep was the worst part of it all. But now I have these lovely color pics of my um, "stuff"!! lol

My gastro DID do the celiac test on me of which it was negative. Only found some minor issues: reflux, GERD, ibs.