Worth the endoscopy? - Digestive Disorders Message Board

prostator · 07-15-2003, 11:25 AM

Hi everyone, I've got a bit of problem, would appreciate any advice. You may have seen my posts here already, I've had a problem with my throat now for just over a month. It's vague, but constant, and usually manifests itself as a nervous feeling in the throat (tight, raw, strained), a tickle in the back of the throat, sometimes waking up with an awful bitter taste in the mouth, some heartburn, and occasional difficulty swallowing (but never with food or drink, only my own saliva or pills). None of this is debilitating, but because it is constant it has become a problem. I saw a gastro doc who thinks I have acid reflux. He's starting me on nexium and wants me to get an endoscopy. My question is, is the endoscopy procedure dangerous? Is it worth the risk and the discomfort when my symptoms are not terrible? I wouldn't want to make things worse. I didn't want to have to go this far, but neither do I want to live with these symptoms, and they are persistent. You see, I have a therapist who thinks there really isn't anything wrong with my throat, that it's all caused by anxiety. I disagree. I remember exactly where I was and when this started, but still you can see how I'm a bit ambivalent about the whole situation. Also, could anyone could tell me how long Nexium should take to work? Thanks.

flyonthewall · 07-15-2003, 12:36 PM

Do it. You'll be sedated and won't feel/know a thing.

Katie G · 07-15-2003, 01:00 PM

Hi there. I responded to your previous post regarding your symptoms and therefore will not reiterate that. But if your symptoms are bothersome, why not have the tests done to find out the cause? An endoscopy carries slight risk (like any potentially invasive procedure) related to the fact that you are sedated and a tube is inserted into the mouth and travels through to the stomach and duodenum. The procedure is used to look for stricture of the esophagus, the presence of reflux and the amount of damage from reflux. The doctor can also take biopsies of suspicious areas if needed.

Endoscopy is not painful, and you are basically in a "twilight zone" during the procedure and probably won't remember anything. You'll have a follow-up appointment with your doctor a week or so later to discuss the results.

The choice is ultimately yours, but since you're asking for advice, my opinion is to have the procedure done. If you truly have GERD, the doc can measure/monitor it for future reference.

As far as Nexium, I was Prilosec for years - can't say as I really noticed any difference in my reflux while taking it, so therefore, I can't answer your question about how soon it starts working.

Good luck and keep us posted,
Katie G

prostator · 07-15-2003, 01:45 PM

Thanks for the replies, guys. I probably ultimately will end up doing the endoscopy. I've just always been nervous about medical procedures. Although, Katie, I'm sad to hear that Prilosec never helped your reflux. Hopefully I'll have better luck. Hope you're doing well.

Katie G · 07-16-2003, 06:57 AM

Hi again. Please keep us posted on your outcome if you do have the scope done. As far as me being on Prilosec, I found out from other medical procedures that my lower esophageal sphincter was not staying closed, therefore allowing reflux to occur. No amount of Prilosec was going to fix that, so in 2001, I had Nissan fundoplication surgery to fix the problem. I no longer take Prilosec, and believe me, I don't miss it a bit.

Katie G