Suggestions for questions for gastroenterologist?

[pj16]

Good evening all. Hope you’re as well as can be. Following 4 - 5 months of nausea, epigastric pain, chest pain and palpitations etc I recently underwent an endoscopy. The consultant’s initial report stated ‘diffuse erosive gastritis’ and ‘generalised ulcerated mucosa’. I have some photos and have to say that the inside of my stomach doesn’t look 👀 right! I have an appointment tomorrow morning to get the results of biopsies. Do any of you lovely people have any suggestions for questions I could ask the gastroenterologist? I don’t want to later regret something I should have asked. I did a home test for H. Pylori recently which was negative (although I realise this might not be reliable). I don’t drink alcohol and I don’t use NSAID’s. TIA for any suggestions for questions or requests for further tests.

[Helliborous]

Hi pj16, I would ask if your parietal cells are affected as these cells produce acid to digest food. As you no doubt are aware autoimmune thyroid problems are linked to PA and these cells are involved in PA and food digestion. Good luck and happy Christmas

[GoneWithTheWind1972]

Maybe you can ask your gastroenterologist if your biopsy confirms if you have PA hence the gastritis? A blood test for parietal and intrinsic antibodies can support the autoimmune gastritis ie Pernicious Anaemia in the endoscopy biopsy. Best of luck with the consultation. Let us know how you go.

[Rexz]

Hi pn16, questions to ask GI really depend on why you underwent the endoscopy. You don't mention in you bio whether you've been diagnosed or suspected to have PA our autoimmune gastritis. You do mention hypothyroidism but is that due to Hashimoto's (thyroid antibodies)? I concur with Helliborous and gonewiththewind1972 to ask if pathologist had identified damage/destruction of parietal cells as that is the only 100% way to confirm a diagnosis of PA/AMAG. However, it is rare that patho would look at this if not instructed to do this by GI doc. Make sure you get a copy of the pathologist report.

[pj16]

Thank you for your replies. I’m feeling a bit deflated and upset following my consultation today. It’s like wading through mud, walking a tightrope, playing cat and mouse etc etc trying to deal with medical professionals when you suspect you have autoimmune diseases.

A quick recap is that I suspect my daughters and I have a combination of Hashimoto’s/Sjogren’s and possibly others. I had the endoscopy due to 4 -5 months of nausea and stomach pain. In a nutshell the consultant stated at the time of endoscopy that I have widespread erosive gastritis.

At follow up consultation the consultant confirmed that endoscopy ruled out H. Pylori. When I asked for his opinion on what was causing the gastritis he said ‘acid or bile but it doesn’t matter as the treatment would be the same’.

Thanks to you members I asked about the possibility of autoimmune gastritis. He said it was rare and (I feel) somewhat reluctantly ordered IF and PC antibody tests. I’m already prepared for these to be negative as I have hypogammaglobulinemia.

We’ll see but in the meantime thank you 🙏 all so much. This website keeps me sane and makes me feel validated when I so frequently suffer from disappointment and imposter syndrome. Seasons greetings to you all!

[Jillymo in reply to pj16]

Are you given infussions for your hypogammaglobulinemia ?

I am in the process of being investigated by a gastrologist. Like yourself I also have errosive gastritis and the possibility of crohn's and now waiting a colonoscopy. The waiting has been long and tedious to say the least.

I also have the low immune plus many autoimmune conditions inclueding sjogrens which can affect the gut. It's taken many years of my life to get a firm diagnosis after my attending 'many different hospitals' and being screened by various consultants. If blood tests come back negative inform them they are not conslusive and explain antibodies can wax and wane.

I hope you have both a good heamatologist and rheumatologist. If not request to be seen by an expert who understands autoimmune conditions. It just takes that one person to join the dots and give you answer's but they are few and far between.

When I actually get back to see my gastrologist I am going to request they do a- B12 cellular test and gastrin levels. We are not absorbing so remember to take other vitamins such as iron, folic acid ect. Consultations can very often leave us feeling desperate and deflated but with your diagnosed conditions your half way there.

Be firm and be insistant. 😘