Colonoscopy during bowel inflammation
I recently went to a gastroenterologist and he wants me to have a colonoscopy and an endoscopy, but I was reading online that it can be dangerous if you have bowel inflammation which I definitely do. It showed up on a CAT scan I had last December and it’s still there. Has anyone had any experience with having a colonoscopy during inflammation? The doctor (actually, I didn’t even get to see the doctor - I met with a nurse practitioner) didn’t even ask any questions about what I eat or prior stomach problems or anything. Has anyone had better luck with a functional medicine doctor? I don’t trust traditional medicine anymore. Thank you. I did agree to have another CAT scan with angio.
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I had multiple colonoscopies while having active Ulcerative Colitis/Crohn's Disease without incident. Also my sister, also my brother (inflammatory bowel disease "runs in families" and it definitely runs in mine).
It appears that the GI doctor thinks your symptoms are concerning enough to do both types of tests in order to make a diagnosis. While you can have other types of studies and images, they can't get a biopsy. For some conditions - like inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, diverticulitis, and others - you need to have a biopsy for diagnosis. For some things, like colon polyps, the polyp can be removed before it develops into something.
You definitely want a doctor who does a lot of these procedures to do yours, and that would be a GI doctor. You would certainly want a definitive diagnosis before starting any kind of treatment, traditional or functional. You may want to be treated by a functional medicine doctor once you know what is going on, but I expect they would also need to know what you have for effective treatment.
Thank you so much for the info. I really need to find out what’s going on, so I guess I had better follow through. If I don’t, I’m going to starve to death anyway, so I guess the risk is worth it. Again, thanks for letting me know that you have experienced that and it was okay. I’m sorry you have to go through this - it runs in my family also, but I seem to have it the worst, although my grandfather died of colon cancer. Take care.
I have IBS-D so always have GI inflammation, but I still have both upper endoscopy and colonoscopies. My grandson who has Crohns also has had both even during a flare up.
@blessedwildapplegirl
I don’t think it is a problem getting an endoscopy and colonoscopy with inflammation. That is exactly why you need it done. They need to see with a scope what is going on in the lining of your esophagus/stomach/duodenum and colon. They will biopsy some cells/tissue to test for abnormalities or infection. I have had both done and was able to learn I had erosions in my esophagus and stomach (esophagitis and gastritis which is inflammation) due to taking to many NSAIDs (Motrin, Advil, etc.) for pain. I was told to stop taking or reduce significantly and take omeprazole to reduce stomach acid.
I don’t think they would recommend these procedures if they weren’t needed to properly diagnose you.
@blessedwildapplegirl
Also keep in mind the endoscopy and colonoscopy are lower risk procedures than some and having too many CT scans exposes you to a lot of radiation which wouldn't be good for your abdomen.
When I had my first colonoscopy (early 40s), they found a polyp and removed it which made me really glad I had it done early. My grandfather also had colon cancer and died.
Sorry you are going through this. BUT, yes you must heave the inflammation in control to have the colonoscopy and take what they give you to get it in control before you have it.
At least they can check through blood test to make sure it is good before procedure.
Thanks for the info! They took blood when I was there, but I haven’t heard a word about results. I’m going to call them right now. Thank you again.
Yeah, I worry about the radiation also. I really don’t like this and I’m not sure what it’s going to show, but they seem to get stinky with you if you don’t do what they say. My mom also had colon cancer, but she didn’t pass away because they barely caught it in time. It had gone through the cell walls Of her stomach, and she didn’t have chemo or anything, but she was OK. Thank God! I’m sorry to hear about your grandfather.
I would feel much more comfortable with a doctor that used natural remedies and my gut (no pun intended) is telling me to go that route, but all my friends keep saying, listen to the doctors! They’ve never helped me yet.
I had a colonoscopy about 12 years ago so I would’ve been about 58 and I didn’t have any polyps. I’m glad they caught yours in time. Take care and thanks for the input.
Yeah, I suppose it wouldn’t be a bad idea for them to take a look. I’m just worried about them doing it now while I have so much inflammation. And also, to be quite honest, I don’t trust doctors at all. I’ve had so much bad luck with them! If they would only take a more holistic view of the body. And of course the mind and the emotions. I do think a biopsy would be helpful though. Thank you again for your advice!
Thank you for letting me know about that! That helps ease my mind.