Referred for a endoscopy..acid reflux..anxious about it all!!

[kissmelittleass]

Saw G.P. last week complaining of a burning down my throat into my chest and radiating into my upper back. For roughly 2 years I have had night time reflux waking up with a horrible bitter taste in my mouth,the odd time a sore throat on waking and have had oral thrush about 4 times over the last 2 years. I have had this burning feeling a few times before and I have daily gurling noises going on in my tummy and chest. Very occasionly like last week I felt just once or twice when I ate bread that it sat at the top of my chest and was sort of painful..as I said this has only happened maybe twice over the last 2 years and happened when I had the burning feeling down the throat. I burp a lot and get chest pain/heartburn daily I usually live off gaviscon but having recently been put on thyroid medication 3 weeks ago I have not taken any as I read it can interact with thyroid medication? The doctor has put me on 40mg of Nepramel until I get seen at hospital for the endoscopy. Now I'm delighted to be getting checked out at last but on the same hand I'm very scared and anxious of the procedure I have a terrible gagging reflex and don't know how I will be able to have a camera out down my throat it scares me. I am also very anxious and frightened of the results..I would love to hear your expriences if you have had this done..please be gentle!!

[TicketyBoo83]

when I had my endoscopy I got to choose either the throat numbing spray or sedation. I chose sedation. It mean in was in the clinic a bit longer and someone had to come and collect me. I had a terrible hangover feeling the next day but I don't remember anything about the scope so it was totally worth it!

[brilliotic]

I had one without the sedation. It was really quite uncomfortable but that's about it. I occupied myself by thinking how strange it was that not being able to close your 'mouth' (and throat so to say) could make you feel so uncomfortable. Like, you don't really notice that your throat is 'closed' usually, until you can't because there is something in the way.
Afterwards I got up and walked out and got myself home, no after-effects whatsoever.

The good thing about it was that a) they didn't find anything, b) my problem I had been referred for, disappeared after the endoscopy. So it was worth it!

[Ideserveaholiday]

Hi. I had sedation AND the throat numbing spray. There was a moment of discomfort but then it was all over. They found a hiatus hernia so not great but manageable.

[revelsandrose]

I had sedation, they try and talk you out of having it, but I'd been told by several people that it's quite unpleasant without. I felt a bit woozy and slept for a couple of hours afterwards but other than that I was fine.

[sufferingicecakes]

I had one last week and I was terrified before hand. I asked for as much sedation as possible and I did not feel a thing! I do not even remember it. I vaguely remember the Dr saying to me at some point that they had not found anything but I think I must have slept for some of it. Honestly, do not worry, it really is not worth it. My throat was well numbed from the spray too, but I think I would have coped well without that.

It really is easier than a walk in the park

[wineandsunshine]

I had one at the beginning of this year - I suffer with awful anxiety but the nurses/consultant were so lovely!
I opted for numbing (that spray was the worst bit) and it was over in about two mins - they spoke to me the whole way through and told me exactly what they could see (nothing!) well that reassured me enough that my symptoms disappeared!
You will be fine - slow breaths and shut your eyes x

[Bertiemcgertie]

Thank you for this thread. I feel anxious too about mine but sounds as though sedation all the way! These posts are reassuring.

[charliebear78]

I had one earlier this Year.
They did manage to talk me out of having any sedation.
I had the throat numbing spray which leaves you feeling odd because although you are swallowing you are not aware of it.
Actually getting the camera down into the stomach was the worst part because I just could not swallow it-eventually did and I have to say the whole experience is strange but over very quickly-the nurse will talk to you and reassure you the entire time-probably about 5-10 mins!
Afterwards I could leave right away and once home I had my lunch-did not suffer a sore throat but did have stomach cramping afterwards and went to bed early.
You will be fine and like you say it is worth it to have the test and get the results.
Nothing found from my test.
(I ended up having to have a camera up the other end!!!!!!!!)
Take the sedation but you could probably cope without-it is not painful just weird.

[Akira212]

Hi I have had several one for even 24hours! The first time was numbing my throat and the consultant spoke me through it, he recommended the option of going though the nose and I would gag less. Did I enjoy it? No, but it had to be done. I was gagging throughout the procedure and you get a nurse for you who pats your head etc.

Good luck.

[kissmelittleass]

Thanks for all the reassuring replies great to hear other peoples experiences. I feel a bit more calmed by your replies but the fear is there of having it done I can just see myself gagging! It has been a dread of mine for a while that I would need this done eventually. I will try and remain calm until the appointment comes in the post, I was told it would be a few months anyway and then I can see the panic rising! I have a close family member now sadly passed whose cancer was found by having a endoscopy so this doesn't help. Thanks for your stories x

[kissmelittleass]

Oh and I didn't know sedation was an option so I will definitely opt for it done this way..they won't be able to talk me out of it!

[KurriKurri]

I've had a couple of these - while not exactly fun, they are doable. I've had one with the throat spray and one with sedation instead - both times I felt quite gaggy - but it is over fairly quickly and the gaggy feeling is mostly while the tube goes past the first bit of youthroat, once it is in, it's not so bad. Just listen to the nurse who will talk to you and keep you calm - follw her/his instructions about breathing and when to swallow and you will be fine.
I had several biopsies taken and didn't really feel them doing that bit.

I also had acid reflux - with many of the symptoms you describe - I was diagnosed with a hiatus hernia - a fairly common condition and cause of acid reflux -easily treated with a proton pump inhibitor (lansoprazole in my case) I've felt much better since having it diagnosed and treated.

I hope everything goes well for you

[Looksprettybad]

I had it done without anything but i think I'd have sedation if i had it again. They didn't find anything. I was on proton pump inhibitors for a year. But in the end i tried an elimination diet and after 3 days without gluten my reflux went. Really strange as I'm not celiac and i was mid 30s with no problem before then.

[Looksprettybad]

Meant to say that i did feel better on proton pump inhibitors but suffered with malabsorption issues and low b12 on them, so i was advised to try to stop them.

[lettuceWrap]

Thyroid problems, long term reliance on anti-acids due to gastric issues... have you been tested for coeliac?

Even if you have, and it was negative, you might want to try a (strict) exclusion diet for a few weeks. I'd say there's a good chance that the trigger is either gluten or nightshades (tomatoes, potato skins, peppers) are triggering the reflux - with me it was both gluten (any at all) and tomatoes too if I ate too many. I used to glug gaviscon directly from the bottle , never take it now!

[MissBabbs]

Cut out wine, acidic fruit, doughy bread, chocolate, coffee, fizzy drinks. Eat smaller amounts but more often.
Raise end of bed, use more pillows so you aren't lying down flat, go to bed at least 3 hours after last meal. Avoid sleeping pills, according to internet you don't swallow during sleep when taking pills so more chance of acid reflux.
A runny nose (post-nasal drip online) can mean you swallow a lot which can increase burping as you swallow air.
Drink ginger tea to help. My acid reflux has improved by folloelwing the above.

[kissmelittleass]

Thanks for all helpful suggestions, I am vegetarian and have been eating a low carb diet for many years. I very occasionly would eat bread or potatoes so they are not an issue in my case. I was a lover of tomatoes so since I posted this near 4 weeks ago I have omitted tomatoes, onions, garlic and my daily fizzy water from my diet. I rarely drink wine only for an occasion but would drink a light lager through the week. I do love spicy food but would only eat a curry maybe once a month or less, I only eat berry fruits and don't drink coffee but very occasionaly I would have tea.
The Nepramel 40mg I have been put on has helped cut down a lot of the gurling noise going on in my chest and stomach area but has not done much to help the acid coming up my throat at night as I still awake during the night with the bitter taste. I have bought two V pillows to help me sleep sitting up along with a pile of cushions for extra support..bit of a nightmare to be honest and hasn't relieved the acid coming up so far. I have been taking manuka honey for a few months just before I sleep as I read this can help to line the throat.. I'm just worried and trying anything to help. Obviously the bad thing is at the back of my mind and I am trying anything to help heal the lining of the throat. If there's anything any of you take to that helps please share! x

[kissmelittleass]

Just to add I have not been tested for coeliac my doctor said it wasn't relevant when I asked! not sure what to think?

[Sunshine4677]

Have you got a date for your endoscopy yet? I'm going through a similar experience at the minute...non stop heartburn even though I'm on meds. I'm really worried there's something wrong but have to wait until 9th November for mine.

[kissmelittleass]

Hi sunshine, no I haven't had a date yet I was referred on the 12th September and I was told it could take a few months for an appointment so I am on 40mg Nepramel every day until I get seen. I am so scared of having it done because the thoughts of a tube going down my throat gives me the chills I don't know how I can get through that without gagging and being sick. The other thought is the fear of what they might find I'm sure you will understand that as I have just read your thread. I am scared of what they will tell me, the acid up the throat every night is awful and the burning pain I get sometimes worries me.

[CathyMedici]

Gaviscon doesn't interfere with thyroid medication so get glugging!

[Sunshine4677]

I'm the same...I've just had a call from the endoscopy department as they have had a cancellation. I'm getting mine done on Friday morning so I'll come back and let you know what it's like x

[kissmelittleass]

Oh sunshine I'll be thinking of you, loads of good luck vibes sent your way x

[val4]

I have v similar symptoms as you, kiss me, and had Endoscopy last Friday. I too was v nervous and doc gave me throat spray and sedation. I honestly don't remember a thing ! I felt bit woozy all day and had tenderness in chest area but think that was from biopsies that he took. He said I had lot of food and liquid in stomach, despite fasting for over 12 hrs so might have problems with stomach emptying. He said that he will know full story when biopsies come back. Best of luck with your procedure and try not to worry. It really is not bad. I'd do it again tomorrow if I had to😊

[Sunshine4677]

Hi kissme I had my endoscopy today and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I just had the throat spray which felt weird as you can't tell your swallowing. It wasn't a nice experience but if I needed one again, I would be fine going for no sedation again. Worst thing for me is my belly is a bit bloated now as they put air in to see better and sometimes it takes a while to come back out

I have been in that much pain with heartburn lately I honestly thought it was going to be bad news but turns out I have a bit of oesophagitis...I didn't even need any biopsies! Try not to worry yourself too much as trust me, the anxiety makes everything worse xx