"Double Dip" - endoscopy and colonoscopy at same time?

[bryan3536]

My GI recommended an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy to take a look at my recurring acid reflux and fairly regular (monthly) rectal bleeding (he suspects hemroidal in nature).  He suggested that they be done in seperate procedures on two different days because, according to him, the preparation for the colonoscopy can make my upper tract appear raw, etc.

I mentioned this to my good friend, a GI resident, and she said that these procedures are routinely done together and didn't think this would be an issue at all - she didn't know why my GI would make that recommendation.

I'm pretty leery about getting put out, so if it's going to happen, I'd prefer it happen once - not twice.  If there is no medical need for me to do this in two seperate procedures, I'd rather get it done all at once.  

So, my question is whether there is any reason why I can't have these procedures done together, i.e., is there any validity to the notion that the preparation for the colonoscopy can skew the results of my endoscopy?

Many thanks!

[lvfrogs]

To Missy513,
I think that the cramps are probably fairly normal. You have had two invasive procedures. If they worsen or the pain is really bad (scale of 1-10, and they are 7 or above) I would call the doctor. If you are still concerned, call the doctor's office anyway. They are there for you!! So get the answers you want. Hope the results come back ok.

[Missy513]

I had a combo done yesterday(Grastro/Colonoscopy) . Today i have cramps in the pit of my stomach. Is this normal.

[Amarro]

I had both done at the same time and didn't have any problems.  In fact, my doctor didn't even offer the option of having them separately and I was happy to get both over and done with at the same time.

[DonAK]

By suggesting that the procedures be done on different days, the GI's may be looking out for the patients pocketbooks.  I had both done on the sme day and since my insurance company applied the "multiple same day procedures" guidelines, the GI billed me for the part that insurance did not pay.  In my case $593.00.  Check with your insurance company prior to scheduling both on the same day to see if they will pay in full or you will have to pay the difference.  My insurance company required that I get prior approval to have both done on the same day, but made no mention of their lesser payment to the doctor and my monetary involvement.  

[Gloriarockwell]

If you do the endoscopy and colonoscopy together and something goes wrong after you are discharged than you complicate the emergency surgery.  My husband had both done and started vomiting blood at home.  He had to have energency surgery, but because he had had both proceedures done that morning the surgen had to predict where he was bleeding from.  The result was an insision from his chest to his groin.

[melnper]

Please tell me the endoscope down the throat is not bad. I am going to have it done very soon and I am terrified. I have been having nasuea and gagging and near vomiting for the last 4 weeks, all day, every day. The only relief I have is when I sleep. I have had abdominal xrays, a gall bladder ultrasound and a gall bladder hide-a-scan, as well as blood work. Everything came back normal. I have now had to take a leave of absence from work and am in bed almost all day, every day. I have taken Reglan and Phenergan for the nasuea and neither has helped. I am gagging so much that I sometimes have shaking episodes (the kind you get when you have a fever and get the chills). I have now been given Zofran for the nasuea and Xanax for anxiety because of the "shakes". I was in the hospital for a few hours yesterday. Mostly they just hydrated me with a couple of bags through an I.V. because I haven't been able to eat or drink. I have to go to the GI on Tuesday to schedule the endoscopy and am terrified. I am told that you are not completely asleep and that, even though you don't eat for several hours before, you can still vomit. I am gagging so much right now that I don't know if I can handle having a tube down my throat. Please explain how the procedure was for you. I am assuming you are not completely asleep because they said they have you swallow to help move the tube down. Can you tell me exactly how they did it to you?