Yesterdays Endoscopy

Jazphoto · Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 32 Location: Maryland

Hey everyone. I just had my endoscopy yesterday. My blood work had come back positive for Celiacs, so my doctor said we need to do the endoscopy. She found that I have a small ulcer in my esophogous and a small ulcer in my stomach. However, there was not visible damage to the small intestine...at least, not to the naked eye. The biopsy results will be back on monday. My question is, is it possible to have Celiacs without visible damage to the small intestine? Or is the damage only if it is really, really bad? Any info would be great...thank you so much!!!

JAZ

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8785 Location: WI, USA

Hey Jaz,

In really bad cases the damage is visible. Much of the damage is done at a microscopic level. They will take those biopsies [hopefully at least 15], stain them, put them on a slide and look at them under a microscope. If the person reading those slides is trained and knowledgeable enough, they can pickup even the slightest damage. Often, slight damage is missed from an untrained eye.

I have some links around there that shows visible damage. I don't remember where that is right now. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coeliac_disease - scroll down the page, you'll see it. And yes, the Wiki is wrong when it talks about 4-8 biopsies - that's how many usually are taken - that's not the number the SHOULD BE taken.

Are they giving you meds for the ulcers? Make sure those meds are GF.

Good luck!! Certainly let us know how the biopsies turned out.
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

Jazphoto · Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 32 Location: Maryland

Thanks so much! I am not sure how many biopsies were taken...hopefully they did enough!!! I was given prevacid...I am about to go check the info on it. Yesterday I could not do much other than sleep...whooo, those drugs KNOCK you out! I will definitely let you know the results. She said they should be back by next monday...and I will be calling them promptly!!!! Have a fantastic day!

JAZ

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8785 Location: WI, USA

Yeah, the stuff they give you is pretty good!! You get a really good sleep out of it. I felt fully aware and capable of driving home after mine. I talked the whole way home with my wife. I got home, went to sleep. After waking - could not remember much of the drive home Wink

This link explains the levels of damage. It also has a link to a pdf that will give pictures of the levels of damage (be patient, it takes forever to download!): http://www.celiacforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=2974
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

travis · Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 21 Location: Wales

Thank goodness I read this post,when I had my endoscopy,they took 5 biopsies and the DR told me I had severe scalloping whatever that means,they also found I had a large Hiatus hernia,my general practitioner has given me medication for this,so I will have to check if the medication is GF ,as my biopsies had not come back when I was given this medication,did not realise medication could have wheat in them Smile