Went To See Gi Dude Today And....

[Trudyjerry]

Now I get to go in to be scoped from both ends. Just wondering if colitis is in any way shape or form related to celiac's or gluten sensitivity. I apparently do have a gluten sensitivity, we are just working on to what extend. I do not have to go back on gluten for the endoscopy though. That actually makes me wonder exactly what he thinks he's going to find with me having been gluten free for the last three months. At least he's not demanding that I torture myself for the upcoming tests with gluten. I just get to torture myself by cleaning out my system. Any ideas on making it easier?

[ravenwoodglass]

If you have been gluten free for 3 months your celiac testing will be negative almost certainly. Your doctor can rule out other problems but not celiac.

Eat lightly for a day or two before the prep. Other than that making sure the prep is good and cold can make it easier to take.

[cyberprof]

Now I get to go in to be scoped from both ends. Just wondering if colitis is in any way shape or form related to celiac's or gluten sensitivity. I apparently do have a gluten sensitivity, we are just working on to what extend. I do not have to go back on gluten for the endoscopy though. That actually makes me wonder exactly what he thinks he's going to find with me having been gluten free for the last three months. At least he's not demanding that I torture myself for the upcoming tests with gluten. I just get to torture myself by cleaning out my system. Any ideas on making it easier?

Trudyjerry, welcome. I've had both tests and while the prep for colonscopy isn't fun, it's not horrendous. Eat lightly for the whole week before. My doc gave me a chart. Open Original Shared Link No red-colored food (jello etc), no nuts or seeds or rough or raw veggies for a few days before, then the liquid diet as per doctor's orders.

Adults don't heal from gluten damage for up to 5 years, so it's possible that the endoscopy WILL show damage, but at least you know that you should be gluten-free even if the endoscopy is negative for celiac. And it's not a waste to have the endoscopy - the prep for colonscopy has to be done anyway and you get two-for-one ...only one prep, one anesthesia, one recovery, one day off work/out of commission, one $$$ charge for doctor. They also might find something else (ulcer, Barrett's) so it's good to have the screening if you have GI troubles.

Yes, colitis can be related to celiac and my GI told me that celiac predisposes one to geting colitis - specifically microscopic colitis. See wikipedia here. Open Original Shared Link The other thing is that untreated celiac increases the risk for intestinal cancers for up to five years after going gluten-free, so it's good that you're getting that checked too, just to be safe. It's rare but possible.

Best of luck, I'm sure it will go fine and will be over before you know it. I planned a great gluten-free meal for afterwards (a Jamba juice smoothie on the way home plus Amy's brand mac-n-cheese and a small gluten-free brownie) and got to watch videos all afternoon instead of being at work or doing housework. If you get queasy easily, you might have some gluten-free crackers or pretzels to eat in the car on the way home.