Colonoscopy and endoscopy

[lifegems]

Hi All. I posted on here just before Christmas for some advice as I had blood in my stools. Had PA diagnosed 4years ago. Dr suggested endoscopy and colonoscopy which I had 3 years ago which was apparently normal. Just had it again and they found polyps one 18mm by 12 mm whuch is apparently v large now waiting to find results from biopsy. Stomach also inflamed but still don’t know why. I’ve had both of these done in Portugal both times. It seems like they missed the polyp first time. What I’m wondering is if this may be linked to the PA ? And why the uk DR recommended me to have these tests in the first place ? I’m still in pain with my stomach which has been ongoing for some months and I’m at a loss of what to do. Any advice helpful. I did have blood tests before the endo/colonoscopy which dr said blood count was fine which I’m hoping means no cancer !

[Awr94rc67]

Had similar experience, and test, results showed that I have a high mucous amount which could be a result of meds, but no cancer. Doctor showed me the pictures of my stomach lining and the effects from the PA. Nine years ago, results showed an ulcer, which he said was from eating Advil and Aleve for 10 years while nursing failing knees until I had them replaced 10 years ago. No ulcers after previous test 3 years ago. Meds can cause a variety of problems.

[lifegems in reply to Awr94rc67]

Thanks for your reply.. however I’m not on any meds.. don’t even take painkillers if I can avoid them but do take HRT and SI b12 so I can’t understand it.

[Nackapan]

Thank you for updating us. Glad you have hD the i nvestigations and a reason for the bleeding.

Perhaps the polyps will be removed???

I'm sure the medics will now give you the appropriate treatment.

I wish you well

[lifegems in reply to Nackapan]

Thanks Nackapan.. yes thankfully they removed the large one so that’s a relief just have to wait and see if it’s turned cancerous now.

[fbirder]

Polyps in the stomach aren't that unusual (about 6% of gastroscopies find one, or more) and they tend to be benign. However, they do have the potential to become nasty in rare cases, so they will probably want to remove them.

They found one polyp on my first gastroscopy, so they did another one to remove it. For the patient it's no different from a normal gastroscopy except that it takes a little longer. You cannot feel anything that happens in the stomach.

Once they've whipped them out they will do biopsies to ensure there's nothing nasty about them.

They are caused by the same autoimmune gastric atrophy that causes your PA. Your UK doctor probably knows that PA means you are at greater risk of stuff like this in the stomach because of your PA. That's why they sent you for the gastroscopy - because anything in there is best caught early.

I'm off for my sixth gastroscopy in five years on Monday.

[lifegems in reply to fbirder]

Thanks fbirder, yes they removed it there and then now got to wait for results but this was in my intestines however it’s my stomach that’s inflamed.. I feel like I can’t get a straight answer.. maybe there isn’t one but would just like the pain to stop. Good luck with yours.. do you have it every year out of choice for preventative reasons?

[fbirder in reply to lifegems]

When they removed my polyp (which was benign) they saw something strange. They later diagnosed it as Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs). We decided to have a look see every year. After two years of no changes I asked to be changed to every two years, they agreed.

So I had a gastroscopy looking for a gastric bleed where they spotted the polyp. Another to remove the polyp when they spotted something strange. A third to map out where the NETs were. Fourth and fifth were annual monitoring. Next week is the first of the biennial monitoring.

[lifegems in reply to fbirder]

Well I hope that all goes well for you. I just feel v frustrated as I can’t seem to even get a response as to why or what is causing my inflamed stomach .. I would love to be able to find someone in the medical world whom understood the gastric issue and PA ! Just about every DR I’ve spoken with is completely ignorant of this which makes me lack confidence in their ability’s I appreciate they can’t know everything in detail but a recommendation to a specialist would help but I’m not sure what specialist to ask for ? Any ideas

[fbirder in reply to lifegems]

Have you asked the gastroenterologist 'what is causing my gastritis?'

Ask which areas of the stomach are inflamed. If it's the corpus and the fundus, but not the antrum, then it's probably autoimmune gastritis.

Do the biopsy samples they took show signs of metaplasia. A very good sign that it's autoimmune.

Have you had your gastrin levels measured? Another Indicator of autoimmune gastritis.

Have you been tested for gastric parietal cell antibodies? If positive then it's likely to be autoimmune gastritis.

Do you take lots of NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.)? They can cause gastritis.

Have you been tested for infection with H. pylori bacteria? A common cause of gastritis.

[lifegems]

None of those ! Thanks I will ask for all of this now.. this is what I mean about about drs being no help. Have been tested for h pylori which was negative.. going to ask for a referral to a gastroenterologist x