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The_little_didgee
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Default May 28, 2022 at 03:41 PM
  #1
My family doctor has been treating me for GERD since I refused all gastroenterology referrals until recently. Last year I did some non-invasive tests to rule out other conditions. I passed them all even the H. Pylori test.

I have been struggling with GERD for 20 years. About two years ago I started getting it everyday. Most of the time it is painless reflux. The painful reflux periods that I get seem to cause my esophagus to spasm which is extremely painful. I have gotten food stuck three times in the last 15 months. This really worries me so I finally accepted a referral to a gastroenterologist.

I doubt I have cancer since I can swallow solids and liquids without a problem during the "good" periods. However I am worried my esophagus is permanently damaged by acid. It likes to go into spasms when the reflux gets severe.

I've modified my diet and eat many smaller meals throughout the day rather than 2 big ones. That has helped a lot. Along with the 8 week PPI treatments that I do.

Unfortunately I can't stop drinking coffee. I only drink one or two a day.

If you have GERD what is it like to see a gastroenterologist? What should I expect? I suspect he will want to do an endoscopy which I am terrified of.

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Default May 30, 2022 at 07:11 AM
  #2
I have GERD and really struggle with it. I frequently choke when I try to swallow. I have a hiatal hernia which is responsible for a good chunk of my problems

I've had an endoscope twice, and honestly it's not a big deal. They knock you out for the scope, so you literally go to sleep they do their scope and any biopsies that are necessary and then you wake up when it's over. They keep you there for recovery from the anaesthetic for about an hour. The only problem is they want you to have someone come fetch you and take you home afterwards. If you don''t have anyone who can come get you, you can opt to be awake for the procedure, but my gag reflex is too sensitive for that to be an option.

Good luck with it.

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GERD and gastroenterology referral
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The_little_didgee
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Default Jun 04, 2022 at 02:20 PM
  #3
Thank you Splitimage.

I heard it's sedation. At least that is what they do at the hospital I was referred to. Hopefully its heavy. I certainly could not do the endoscopy awake. I'm really sensitive to pain and have a strong gag reflex.

My doctor thinks I have a hernia as well.

When I saw my psychiatrist we discussed this referral and my fears. She told me to tell the doctor my concerns and be honest with him.

Yesterday something scary happened. My allergies were really bad causing my nose to run excessively. The mucus made me gag three times. After the third time I could taste blood in my mouth. That terrified me.

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Default Jun 17, 2022 at 09:31 AM
  #4
Hey @The_little_didgee how are things going? Did you get your gastroscopy yet?

I had a gastroscopy (followed by colonoscopy, lucky me) this week, I had sedation, apparently it does knock some people out but not me. I was very aware throughout and had conversations (not during the gastroscopy because I couldn’t speak then) what I will say was I was a little hazy and time seemed to pass very quickly. However my mum had a gastroscopy only with sedation and asked for a sledgehammer ( her words!) and she was out of it apparently. So really lay down is my advice.

Not going to lie, I found the gastroscopy difficult, I have a strong gag reflex it seems, but the staff were fab and it was over with quickly. Important thing to remember is breath in through your nose, out through the mouth, your airway is clear, you’ll be okay.

I have a hiatus hernia it seems, although it was the colonoscopy (which I found easier) which found it not the gastroscopy, because it was the top of my intestines popping up apparently. I had no symptoms but it’s a common cause of gerd apparently. If eating small meals helps then that would point to a hiatus hernia too as it reduces the capacity of your stomach apparently.

Good luck!
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Default Jun 17, 2022 at 09:33 AM
  #5
Ps Yeah definitely talk about your fears with the staff performing the test, it’s so common to be scared and they’ll understand. That’s what I did.
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Default Jun 23, 2022 at 03:13 PM
  #6
Quote:
Originally Posted by Discombobulated View Post
Hey @The_little_didgee how are things going? Did you get your gastroscopy yet?


Hi Discombobulated. Thanks for replying.

My stomach is okay right now. I recently finished an 8 week course of Rabeprazole, a PPI. The constant burning in my esophagus is gone, but not the reflux. I've made some drastic changes to my diet which have helped a lot.

The hospital hasn't contacted me yet. They accepted the referral. Now I am just waiting for an appointment. -- This is Ottawa so it will take awhile.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Discombobulated View Post
I had a gastroscopy (followed by colonoscopy, lucky me) this week, I had sedation, apparently it does knock some people out but not me. I was very aware throughout and had conversations (not during the gastroscopy because I couldn’t speak then) what I will say was I was a little hazy and time seemed to pass very quickly. However my mum had a gastroscopy only with sedation and asked for a sledgehammer ( her words!) and she was out of it apparently. So really lay down is my advice.

Not going to lie, I found the gastroscopy difficult, I have a strong gag reflex it seems, but the staff were fab and it was over with quickly. Important thing to remember is breath in through your nose, out through the mouth, your airway is clear, you’ll be okay.

My gag reflex is really strong too. I will require a decent amount of sedation or they will not be able to go near me. I am extremely terrified.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Discombobulated View Post
I have a hiatus hernia it seems, although it was the colonoscopy (which I found easier) which found it not the gastroscopy, because it was the top of my intestines popping up apparently. I had no symptoms but it’s a common cause of gerd apparently. If eating small meals helps then that would point to a hiatus hernia too as it reduces the capacity of your stomach apparently.


Wow, that makes sense. If the stomach moves up into the chest the intestines would also move. Is your hernia large?




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Default Jun 23, 2022 at 04:00 PM
  #7
Hi @The_little_didgee glad you’ve had an improvement in your symptoms, hoping the changes will continue to help.

I realised not long after I wrote my reply to you that I was mistaken the hiatus hernia was found during the UGI endoscopy not the colonoscopy. I realised this when I read my notes.

I thought I was fully conscious and aware throughout the whole thing but I now realise the sedation made me lose time and my recollection isn’t quite full. It’s actually a blessing I can’t remember too well. I would definitely do sedation again.

Hoping you’ll get through this as well as possible and that you have staff as lovely as the ones I did, it makes a difference.

I have no idea what size the hernia is but it’s given me no symptoms and they were very dismissive of the importance of it.
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Thanks for this!
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Default Aug 19, 2022 at 11:07 PM
  #8
I have gerd that my primary manages. I’m hoping that maybe GI can give you a fresh perspective and new treatments.
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