What to do now??

[jvossrn]

I'm hoping for some words of wisdom, etc.
I've had GERD since 1998. I started out with Axid back then, then progressed to PPIs and H2 Blockers in combination. Most recently, I've been switching between Prilosec 40mg twice daily and Prevacid 30mg twice daily, with Zantac 300mg twice daily. I also use peptobismol on occasion. My symptoms are chest pain in the center of the chest, regurgitation of food when bending over, and acid taste/burning at the back of my mouth. The GI doc I've been seeing since March scoped me on April 8 and did an H Pylori test (negative.) He said I had diffuse irritation and redness on the scope. I just saw him on Tuesday, and he said that if I ever had to have a scope again, he wanted to put me under general anesthesia. (I had a reaction to the versed and became combative during the procedure. I remember nothing.) His exact words were, "You nearly gave me a nervous breakdown." In regards to the GERD, he said, "Your symptoms are not normal." He suggested putting me on an anti-depressant medicine. I asked him if a Nissen would be beneficial, and he stated that "Nissens do not work for patients who aren't helped by PPIs."

I am appalled. That he would suggest putting me under a general anesthesia for something as simple as an endoscopy procedure is crazy. I had a scope in 2001 and had demerol and valium IV and was fine. I'm a nurse in a critical care unit, and although my expertise isn't gastroenterology, I find his statement regarding Nissens a bunch of bull.

I of course would like to find a new physician, but the only ones my insurance will cover are in the same group as he is. I fear that if my records are transferred to another physician within his group, that they will be influenced by him. At 28 years of age, I don't think I should settle for feeling miserable most of the day with GERD. Does anyone have any suggestions??

Thank you all for listening!!!

[blondy2061h]

I'm sorry to hear of your negative experience.

Firstly, I have never had an endoscopy that is not under general anesthesia. I hope I never have to. It's not uncommon to do endoscopies under a general.

I have also heard that people who don't benefit from ppis don't benefit from the nissen. I believe a GI nurse practitionar told me that. I'm not sure why or if she is right, but I have heard it.

As for the doctor situation, I feel your pain. Maybe if you tell insurance you weren't happy with them they will let you try another one? You can appeal them. This would be a question for the insurance issues board. Other than that, maybe it would be worth it to pay for a visit or two out of pocket.

[keala10]

What are PPI's? I am having the test done on June 6th. I guess it depends on the doctor about general anesetic. They will put an IV in me, and some seditive I understand. Hate to have your experience. But I am 67 and afraid because my reflux is sooooo bad, sometimes when eating the throat and esophecus are sore.

[blondy2061h]

PPI is just an abbreviation for proton pump inhibitor. They are a class of drugs to reduce stomach acid including Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix, and Aciphex.

[jvossrn]

General anesthetic is when an endotracheal tube is inserted into the trachea (windpipe) and the patient is placed on a ventilator for the procedure. It is MUCH riskier than using conscious sedation (with versed, valium, etc.), in which the patient is still breathing on their own, but cannot remember the procedure. Are you sure, Blondy, that you always have a general anesthesia and not just conscious sedation? It's rare to have an actual general anesthetic, which requires an additional doctor (an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist) and an operating room instead of an endoscopy procedure room.