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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Edoscopy
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
Edoscopy
by nnervouss, Sep 24, 2006 12:00AM
Dr. K,
I've had nausea,loose/watery stools for 4 months now(noblood).
2-3 times a day.
mystool has had mucus,the nausea comes and goes, only recently I've been feeling dizzy at times. Sometimes my stool is narrow and at other times it's loose and does not form, sometimes it floats, always broken in little pieces.Maybe once in a while it does form and not narrow?
I have had a Sigmoid (no biopsy was taken) in August, That GI doctor said that he didn't see anything. I've had 2 stool test taken and a CBC blood test, all came back normal. I went to see another GI doctor and he has schedule me to for a Endoscopy and a Colonoscopy. I am really scared about the Endoscopy, I feel like I won't be able to breathe or maybe it's painful. My GI said that I would be asleep? He's going to take a Biopsy of my stomach and of the colon. Are these the symptoms of Colitis or Chron's, Cancer, IBS? What other test can be done that are less invasive? Is the Endoscopy necessary or should I have a CT scan/Barium swallow? What are they looking for in the Biopsy? I'm worried about complications from the Endoscopy. Would a Virtual Colonoscopy be a better way to go?
Thanks for your time.
I've had nausea,loose/watery stools for 4 months now(noblood).
2-3 times a day.
mystool has had mucus,the nausea comes and goes, only recently I've been feeling dizzy at times. Sometimes my stool is narrow and at other times it's loose and does not form, sometimes it floats, always broken in little pieces.Maybe once in a while it does form and not narrow?
I have had a Sigmoid (no biopsy was taken) in August, That GI doctor said that he didn't see anything. I've had 2 stool test taken and a CBC blood test, all came back normal. I went to see another GI doctor and he has schedule me to for a Endoscopy and a Colonoscopy. I am really scared about the Endoscopy, I feel like I won't be able to breathe or maybe it's painful. My GI said that I would be asleep? He's going to take a Biopsy of my stomach and of the colon. Are these the symptoms of Colitis or Chron's, Cancer, IBS? What other test can be done that are less invasive? Is the Endoscopy necessary or should I have a CT scan/Barium swallow? What are they looking for in the Biopsy? I'm worried about complications from the Endoscopy. Would a Virtual Colonoscopy be a better way to go?
Thanks for your time.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Sep 25, 2006 12:00AM
, Sep 25, 2006 12:00AM
An upper endoscopy is a fairly routine diagnostic procedure. While it may be uncomfortable, it should not be painful. It is typically done under conscious sedation, and medication is given to help you relax.
All of the possibilities that you mentioned (including colitis, IBS and cancer) are all possible, and can be ruled out with the endoscopy.
I would indeed recommend endoscopy at this point - as it is the most comprehensive test. This can also be ordered in conjunction with a CT scan.
The biopsy would give a more definitive evaluation of whether colitis, cancer or inflammation is present.
The problem with a virtual colonoscopy is that it cannot biopsy. If there is a suspicious lesion, a conventional colonoscopy would have to be performed.
These options should be discussed with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
All of the possibilities that you mentioned (including colitis, IBS and cancer) are all possible, and can be ruled out with the endoscopy.
I would indeed recommend endoscopy at this point - as it is the most comprehensive test. This can also be ordered in conjunction with a CT scan.
The biopsy would give a more definitive evaluation of whether colitis, cancer or inflammation is present.
The problem with a virtual colonoscopy is that it cannot biopsy. If there is a suspicious lesion, a conventional colonoscopy would have to be performed.
These options should be discussed with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
Member Comments (5)
by miclus, Sep 25, 2006 12:00AM
The direct view is the best for the digestive tract. CT would be good for other things though. Ask your doc what anesthesia he uses. One that works very well is called Diprivan. You won't even know you had the tests.
by CINDYRENOULT, Sep 25, 2006 12:00AM
I have had two and they put me under for about 15 minutes. When I woke, I didn't even have any signs that they did anything. My throat wasn't sore. They also did a biopsy. You can't feel anything. Hang in there, you will be just fine.
by Mommybug, Sep 30, 2006 12:00AM
I just had a colonoscopy/endoscopy yesterday, for the first time, and I was nervous as hell! The trick is to get knocked out all the way, so you have NO awareness of what's going on, which is what I did. Diprivan was used. It was like going to sleep and waking up. All I felt afterward was some mild lower abd. pain, nothing to write home about. My throat wasn't even soar, I'd never know ANYTHING was ever in there! So don't be so scared, you DON'T have to go it awake. If your Dr's not willing to put you out, find one that IS!!! These tests are ROUTINELY done asleep! Good luck.
by foundry, Oct 21, 2006 12:00AM
A Biopsy With Alot of doctors Are Typical Procedure iF i Understand it correctly crohns Disease Can Also Cause Significant weight loss I didnt see where you had mentioned Anything about this acid reflux could also cause alot of these symptoms Yes Even Nasea And mucus On Stool Digestive enzymes And Stomach Acid Doesnt mix Therefore there could be undigested food stuffs in the stool causing the excess mucus. Sorry for the Graphic Picture Here. But Didnt know another Way To Bring It Out. So dont worry yourself so much yet You Dont know Anything So Far I had A Similar Situation Myself Recently And Thought My Cancer Diagnosis Was Coming Tommorrow. Believe Me Those Thoughts Can Only Make Things Worse. As For The Procedures They Are Simple And You Will Not Remember Anything About It Anyway. Foundry;
by foundry, Oct 21, 2006 12:00AM
Hi This Is Foundry Again I dId Not Mean That This Could Be Acid Reflux I Just Thought That I Would Give some examples for doing endoscopy. They could also be doing it to rule out a bacterial infection . Diverticulosis could also be causing mucus in stool And This Could be the reason for colonoscopy also. these are probably just safety precautions for your benefit.
