Slappie 9 #1 November 19, 2003 I get one of these procedures in about a week Gastroscopy involves the use of a flexible tube to examine the upper intestinal tract including the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. The procedure is commonly undertaken if your doctor suspects that you have an ulcer, inflammation or other abnormality of the oesophagus (the pipe which connects the throat to the stomach), the stomach or duodenum. How are you prepared? You need to fast for six hours before the procedure. While fasting, take all your regular medications with a sip of water. Special Considerations: If you have serious heart or chest problems special precautions need to be taken to reduce any possible risk. You should therefore inform your doctor of any serious illness of this nature. The precautions taken will usually include providing oxygen during the procedure and/or monitoring the heart and oxygen levels during the procedure. What do we do? An endoscope is a flexible tube about 9mm in diameter. It allows full colour inspection of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. It also allows biopsies to be taken from the small bowel and other areas. At the beginning of the procedure your throat will be sprayed with a local anaesthetic and you will be given a sedative by injection in a vein to make you more comfortable. The procedure will take between 5 and 15 minutes and you will be sleepy for about half an hour afterwards. Safety and risks Gastroscopy is usually simple and safe. It is unlikely to cause problems for patients unless they have serious heart or chest problems. Extremely rarely, individual patients may have a reaction to the sedation or damage to the oesophagus at the time of examination. The gastroscope is a complex reusable instrument, which cannot go through a heat sterilisation process. However, after each use it is thoroughly cleaned and then disinfected, using a high level disinfectant. The hospital cleans and disinfects the gastroscope according to the standards set by the Gastroenterological Society of America. The possibility of infection being introduced during the procedure cannot be completely ruled out, but seems extremely rare. Death is a remote possibility with any interventional procedure. However, if you wish to have full details of all possible rare complications discussed before the procedure, you should inform your doctor. Afterwards The sedative painkiller you are given before the procedure is very effective in reducing any discomfort. However, it may also affect your memory for some time afterwards. Even when the sedative appears to have worn off, you may find you are unable to recall details of your discussion with your doctor. For this reason a relative or friend should come with you if possible. You must not drive or operate machinery or make major decisions for 12 hours after the test. I know it's a very minor procedure, but you have to understand I HATE seeing the doctor!! Plus the fact they knock me out scares me too... "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brains 2 #2 November 19, 2003 Well, that ought to be fun. Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #3 November 19, 2003 they don't knock you out, from what you posted. a mild sedative just makes you relax and can make your memory a bit fuzzy. my dad had one of these, and he remembers everything, so I guess its different for different people. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casie 0 #4 November 19, 2003 Glad I'm not YOU! It'll all be over with soon....think of it that way!~Porn Kitty WARNING: Goldschlager causes extreme emotional outbursts! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #5 November 19, 2003 Had one. No big deal. You have the most lovely warm and fuzzy feelings amidst all the drugs...~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #6 November 19, 2003 Quotethey don't knock you out, from what you posted. Well close enough.. I'm not a happy camper after seeing the doctor yesterday .. "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #7 December 3, 2003 QuoteHad one. No big deal. You have the most lovely warm and fuzzy feelings amidst all the drugs... Coming up this Friday.. I kinda look forward to gettin high legaly But, then I think about how nervous I am.. I hate anything to do with medicine people make mistakes all the time every day, I've always got this funny feeling I'm the next mistake waiting to happen.. Guess I've watched to many movies "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WrongWay 0 #8 December 3, 2003 Hey no worries, I've had one of these, you don't remember a thing except you're happy for like two days from the drugs they give ya. Wrong Way D #27371 Mal Manera Rodriguez Cajun Chicken Ø Hellfish #451 The wiser wolf prevails. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LostOne 0 #9 December 3, 2003 And then you wonder why you are a self confessed "thread killer". Are you South African, by any chance? ----------------------------------------------- Bum's the word! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #10 December 12, 2003 I know most of you don't care but I'm telling those of you who sent me your concerns.. I have: Barrett's Esophagus Heartburn that is severe or occurs frequently over a long period of time is a characteristic of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). If GERD is untreated, it can be harmful; the constant acid reflux will irritate the lining of the esophagus, and complications can occur. Approximately 1 in 10 GERD sufferers will also develop a condition called Barrett's esophagus. It can be serious and may lead to esophageal cancer. What is Barrett's Esophagus? Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the lining of the esophagus is replaced by tissue that is similar to that which is normally found in the stomach and intestine. The process of this change is called intestinal metaplasis. The normal esophagus, the muscular tube that extends from the throat to the stomach, is lined by a pinkish-white tissue called squamous epithelium. Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the normal lining, or epithelium, of the esophagus has been replaced by an abnormal epithelium. The Barrett's lining always begins at the bottom of the esophagus where the esophagus joins the stomach and extends upward toward the mouth for varying lengths. The cells in the lining of the stomach are different, and are protected from the acid. The fact that they grow into the esophagus may be as a defense mechanism, an attempt to protect the tissue in the esophagus against further damage from acid reflux. Unfortunately, this change in the tissue, this damage of the esophageal lining, may be a precursor to cancer of the lower esophagus, known as adenocarcinoma. In time, the Barrett's cells may develop abnormal changes that are known as dysplasia. Over a period of time, the dysplasia may then progress to low grade, then to high grade dysplasia, and finally to cancer. This happens only in about five percent of patients with Barrett's esophagus. Approximately 700,000 adults GERD sufferers will develop Barrett's esophagus. "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #11 December 12, 2003 I've been on prescription reflux medication for three years now. believe me, I can relate. Your doc have ya on nexium? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #12 December 12, 2003 Nope he put me on Prevacid 30mg "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #13 December 12, 2003 I took prevacid for 3 months. didn't do shit. I was one of the unlucky ones who had to try: 1. OTCs 2. Zantac 3. Prilosec 4. Nexium 5. Prevacid 6. Aciphex finally found Aciphex, which worked wonders, and my f-ing insurance company wouldn't pay for it. they wanted to put me back on prevacid even though the doc called them several times and told them it didn't help me! I overheard him SHOUTING at the insurance rep saying "All the medications are NOT the same! That's why there are DIFFERENT ONES!" LOL. Nice to have a doctor who is really a patient advocate. Finally, I switched insurance companies, and my prescription is now covered. I hope you don't have to go through all the shit I did, but now that I found the right medication, life is good, and I can eat pretty much anything I want to, as long as it isn't right before bed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
