I have just said "no" to an EGD procedure & wondered what others' experience has been with the procedure. I have had GERD for 7 months (well probably longer than that, but that's when it was diagnosed), and my doctor refused to re-write a Rx for a PPI until I went for tests. I did the barium swill & tilt last week, which wasn't too bad, & that showed a hiatal hernia. I understand that 40% or so of GERD sufferers have hernias, & I assume most just live with that. Now the doctor wants me to have an upper GI endoscopy (he did give me a Rx for Prevacid). When I asked what good the endoscopy would do, he said it would help in seeing the hernia. Then I asked what good it would do to get a better view of the hernia, & he said maybe I need surgery. I have absolutely no pain when I take my Prevacid, don't eat within 2 hours of bedtime, have my bed on blocks, & don't eat tomato sauce. From what I'm reading on this board, fundoplication surgery has some potential bad side effects. Would any of you have surgery or even go thru an invasive diagnostic test like EGD if you weren't even suffering?
EGD is the gold standard of tests for the esophagus, stomach, and small intestines.I'm happy your GI is concerned enough to want to make sure you are receiving the proper treatment..He would be able to see if you have ulcers, erosions, stricture, hernia, barrett's esophagus, gastritis, duodenitis, test for H-Pylori, take esophageal biopsies if he sees a need to do that. He can also get an eye view of your LES (lower esophageal spincter) and if it is staying wide open causing reflux he will know that..There have been alot of people who have what is called (silent reflux) which means they have very few symptoms but have alot of damage.If your Dr. thinks you should have this test, atleast consider doing so.
Best of luck, Sara
I guess I'm of the "wait & see" philosophy. I saw a direct link from barium test to EGD to fundoplication. My doctor is of the "CYA" philosophy, so he's always trying to get me to spend my and the insurance company's money for loads of tests. After a little research, I find that hiatal hernia is so common among GERD sufferers and indeed GERD is so common among adults over 50 that I think I'll stick with the conservative treatment for a while. Especially after reading your post, Sara, about problems after the fundo surgery!
I guess I'm of the "wait & see" philosophy. I saw a direct link from barium test to EGD to fundoplication. My doctor is of the "CYA" philosophy, so he's always trying to get me to spend my and the insurance company's money for loads of tests. After a little research, I find that hiatal hernia is so common among GERD sufferers and indeed GERD is so common among adults over 50 that I think I'll stick with the conservative treatment for a while. Especially after reading your post, Sara, about problems after the fundo surgery!
hi there - my 2 cents here. I agree with what Sara says, and having to be monitored every 2 years after developing Barrett's esophagus in my 30's and increasing my risk of cancer, I am all for spending insurance money for your health. That's why we pay the premiums we do. A baseline EGD is necessary to monitor the damage from GERD - you may feel fine, but refluxing is still damaging your esophagus. PPIs don't stop reflux, they only reduce it. I developed Barrett's even on PPIs, and have since had fundoplication. Yeah, there's cons about fundo sugery, but my EGDs since surgery have revealed significant improvement in the appearance of my esophagus and reduction of inflammation from GERD. No Barrett's now either - it was caught very early and treated accordingly.
If a baseline EGD is "normal" then you won't need to have another one for at least 3 years. Think of it as what baseline mammograms have done to enable women to "catch" breast cancer earlier and therefore can be treated before it's too late. Hooray to a doctor who cares enough to take your medical health into consideration. Esophageal cancer is deadly and often silent in its progression until it's too late. Think of your future health and consider the EGD for monitoring the result of chronic GERD.
Do not be persuaded to not have any tests based on my results of my fundoplication....Every one goes into tests and surgeries with their own unique set of circumstances...I'm mid 50s have had hearthburn since early 20s.I Put off having any tests, procedures, and really never complained much about it because after all "it was only heartburn"..I went in to my surgery with a very damaged esophagus. I had ulcers, strictures, and 6cm barrett's esophagus with dysplasia.Im one step away from deadly esophageal cancer.Every 6 months for the rest of my life I will have surveillance EGDs with biopsies and worry if I have progressed...If my story tells you anything, I would hope it says, "Don't take the risk, it is not worth it"....Have your EGD! Sara
Re: EGD (endoscopy) pros & cons? 
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