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endoscopy? too soon??

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Posted 4/12/2014 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

I am wondering if someone could give me some advice or share personal experience on endoscopy.
So I am 25 and had heartburn for about 5 months. I got tested positive for H pylori and took triple therapy. But symptoms are still there even a month after the meds. So I finally saw a gastroenterologist and he recommends me to get an upper GI endoscopy (after the first visit!!)
I definitely don't have enough medical knowledge to question his expertise but is it too soon? How do you get diagnosed with GERD? I read about ph monitoring or barrium X ray test but I was surprised why he didn't recommend me any of these before endoscopy.
Here is some of my symptoms. heartburn, palpitation, lump in throat, itchy/burning feeling in throat and nose, feeling bloated, random stomach ache, waking up in the middle of the night.
I was on omeprazole on 2 months, prevpac for 2 weeks and Nexium for 1 week.
I know it's a big decision but I can't decide if I should do endoscopy. He said he suspects I have GERD but it seems he wants to rule things out.

I just don't know what to do .. please help confused sad
Posted 4/12/2014 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
Endoscopy is the only way to tell if the lining of the esophagus or stomach are irritated. My gastro also recommended endoscopy right away, I never did have a barium swallow test. And I only had the ph monitoring when I went to get LINX surgery...

It's mild sedation, and you recover very quickly from it. It doesn't hurt, you'll be able to work the next day.

Hope that helps,

Erica
Posted 4/13/2014 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
this might be helpful to you

http://consumer.healthday.com/cancer-information-5/esophageal-cancer-news-97/new-guidelines-urge-limiting-endoscopy-for-gerd-671266.html

New Guidelines Urge Limiting Endoscopy for GERD

Women should not undergo routine screening, and many men don't need it either, according to American College of Physicians
Posted 4/13/2014 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
I suspect your Dr. was listening to your history re your issues and suggested a scope to confirm that you do indeed have GERD.
Posted 4/13/2014 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Kitt. As I understand it being unresponsive to PPI is generally considered a reasonable indication for endoscopy.
Posted 4/14/2014 10:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all. Newbie member but not new to $,!@#*% gastro issues.
I had an endoscopy in 2007 where they found "10+ ulcers". I guess they got tired of counting. lol I was prescribed Aciphex and took it for a couple years until the insurance with a new employer refused to pay for it. It had actually come a long way in healing so only needed the occassional Tums. I stayed away from citrus beverages, tomato sauce dishes, and 'tried' to go easy on chocolate.
Recently, March 6th '14, I had spinal fusion surgery and had to do a lot of eating laying down. In hindsight I should have eaten soft foods because a little over a week ago I began having horrendous chest pains. I'm taking a beta blocker and warfarin for afib, and have been since '07. Prior to surgery a lot of heart tests were performed so I know the pains weren't from heart problems.

I called the gatro's office I saw in '07 but he was on vacation. I was offered to see another doctor in the practice the next day and jumped at the chance.

I sat in the exam room for about 45 minutes, added to the 20 I had already waited in the Waiting Area. The doc finally came bustling in apologizing profusely for my wait time and asked me for some history. He seemed harried and distracted but said (as he was inching toward the door 4 minutes after meeting me) that he wanted an endoscopy and I would have to come off the blood thinner. Great...I was just getting back up to therapeutic levels from the back surgery cessation.

He said his staff would call me after they called my cardiologist to get authorization to pull me off thinners, and poof, he was gone. He didn't even look in my mouth never mind my throat (which was sore at the voice box and on the right side that felt like a lump). That was last Tuesday and I've been in hell. I can't eat, can't sleep, and most importantly can't drink water which is important normally but more so when taking blood thinners.

So yeah they jump right to endoscopy if you have a history...or in my case, if they're overbooked and don't have the time for a basic exam.

In the OP's case, you were already previously treated for H-pilori so the docs decision is logical and warranted.
Posted 4/17/2014 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi... I have an endoscopy finally booked for late May. Nothing but moderate reflux was determined from the Barium swalloq.... although I am surprised the occasional pain at the top left of my stomach under my rib was not detected as something... (is that just a muscle cramp).   Nor irritation which I know exists.

But I am still concerned, I hear a small number of people simply die in the week after the procedure.  Is this true?   I can't be going into a procedure with this mentality which could induce things from anxiety - which alone could induce frightening outcomes.   (( do have a history of anxiety... and when I work on controlling it... it gets better, then I stop working on it then it comes back to harm me).

My issue is up and down... I have good days and I have bad days... I have gerd-related chest pain, food pushing up sometimes needing to vomit... not digesting properly or in proper timing or possible Hiatal.  

Although if I go to bed early I rarely have issues.. and a lot less of them. wonder what that ones all about and if its still worth getting this procedure done or if I can heal myself.  I mean Death in the week after scope?  I mean, why are people claiming these things  and heart attacks after scopes?  and is it reputable information?

Also if they are blowing air in there, like I am concerned if something is pushed, I am lying down.. and hiatal hernia could expand to cause a heart attack... this is scary stuff.. 

can they keep things in their place?

 how can I get myself to go through with this?   And how am I ever going to be able to get myself to go through with surgery if I can't even face this procedure? 

 

Post Edited (7Stringer) : 4/17/2014 8:50:23 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/17/2014 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
and my final concern is this : the hostipal where I have it booked does not have laparoscopic surgery... and if during the procedure it will cause emergency hiatal hernia repair, I don't want it done without laparoscopic tools...

(anyways just want to share that if I wake up and stick my hands in at the diaphragm below the sternum and push in  hard and down while either breathing or coughing a few times,  it gets rid of the chest pressure after eating... (found this on some Australian website about HH)....  I did it last night too and everything digested even the heftier meal (maneuvering sort of like what my chiropractor did).   I may have found a temporary delay to surgery possibly with some relief... but I have the other concern with my endoscopy still described above...

Post Edited (7Stringer) : 4/17/2014 8:57:57 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/17/2014 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
Did November07 ever come back? Just Greg also ... I would suggest go with your gut. See if the problem lessens. Just Greg I have that all the time...the doctors rush in and out and act like the room is on fire.

I waited about 1/2 hour to see a doc and he actually came into the waiting room and apologized to me. Imagine a doctor who is well mannered, who is polite???? This is unheard of.

A lot of the docs say, you came too early or you came too late. It is quite a mess ... when is the correct moment to go?

I am sorry that you have anxiety 7stringer. I am quite sad and depressed over the medical situation.

please accept my very best wishes to all.
Posted 4/22/2014 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone!
Thanks so much for your suggestion!
It's only 1 week away and I still could not decide what to do. I can't help thinking all complications that could happen (I know it's "rare" but .. at least it happened to someone and.. that next someone could be ME!)
The worse thing is I had a cold and I am still coughing and find myself breathe through the mouth sometimes because of stuffy nose. I called my GI office and the assistant said it should be "fine" (he is out of office.)

Erica : I am wondering how long have you been on PPI before your endoscopy? Did they take biopsy or is it just diagnosis endoscopy?

theacidrefluxman : That is a very interesting article. I guess every GI has different standard. It's kind of part of my confusion. According to my GI, it seems he recommends endoscopy to confirm GERD and see if I also have other problems (Hiatal Hernia?)

stkitt : Yeah I am thinking to get a second opinion but I don't know how easy that would be.

JustGreg : Hi, Thanks for sharing your experience. A few questions! You said they found 10+ ulcers back in 07. Did you get diagnosed as GERD or is it other problem? (I heard NASID can also cause ulcers.) I also have sore throat and lump in throat. And it seems my GI didn't really pay attention much to those symptoms. Do you think it's reflux related? I am abit worried endoscopy will make it worse. I hope you feel better.

7Stringer : I do not have anxiety (at least not officially diagnosed with one but I think I'm going to be, soon.) and I still feel very anxious. Also, I think it's very important to let your GI know about your other medical conditions. For complications, I have been reading this page and thinking to talk to my GI about my concern.
http://www.sgna.org/issues/sedationfactsorg/patientcare_safety/risks.aspx

Joan M : It's so hard to find a Dr. who listens. I feel they just follow the protocol rather than seeing each case as individual. :(

Thanks everyone! And if you happen to know a good GI around NYC area, please please recommend me.
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