Negative Scope

[Marmee]

I had my endoscope yesterday and it came back normal. I had been off gluten for seven years and went back on it for 5 weeks so I could have the scope done. 
They did find a medium-sized hernia, LA Grade C reflux , esophageal stenosis (the doctor dilated my esophagus)   
I was not given any instructions on what to do…keep eating gluten or stop. My doctor was really upset that I had not taken the PPI that he prescribed me weeks before. I go back to him in 6 months. I’m thinking about going to another GI doctor that will actually listen to me. I posted my previous blood results in this thread. 
Should I ask for a genetic test and/or request blood test because the others were years ago? 

 

[trents]

Marmee, how much gluten were you eating? There has been a lot of debate about how much daily gluten should be eaten. From the so-called "experts" we see everything from 1/2 should of wheat bread to three or more slices daily should be eaten for a minimum of six weeks in order for the gluten challenge to yield valid results.

If I were you, I would seek a genetic test because my feeling is the more info you have the better is the conclusion that will be reached. And I don't blame you for wanting to get another doc who will listen to you. The one you have needs to learn to respect the patient's medical decisions in something as questionable as PPI therapy.

A blood test would also be smart but you must keep eating gluten for it to be valid.

[knitty kitty]

@Marmee,

I'm so sorry you're going through this.  

If someone who has Celiac Disease has been off gluten for long periods of time, an autoimmune reaction to gluten may take months of gluten consumption to be triggered again.  The immune cells that "remember" gluten only live for about two years.  Of course you're not going to have blatant damage after a few weeks.  New immune cells must recognize gluten as a pathogen which can take months.  

I think it's horrible that Celiacs are told to hurt themselves until it's blatantly apparent in order to get a diagnosis.  

If you've still got the rash or bumps on your face, have you considered having that biopsied for Dermatitis Herpetiformis (definite Celiac diagnosis).  

Get the genetic test for Celiac genes!  

And get checked for nutritional deficiencies which can occur on the gluten free diet.