I have to get an endoscopy and barium test, I'm Scared!!!!

08-18-2004, 08:38 AM

My doctor is sending me first for a barium swallow test then an endoscopy if she doesn't find anything.
I am scared to death of someone sticking something down my throat. Anyone who has went through this what is it like? Can you request to be put to sleep while they do this? I don't think I can handle it. How long does it take?
I have been having acid/indigestion and diarreah for the last 3 weeks.
My doctor says it is GERD. She put me on Nexium but I bloated up even bigger than I was and I got a small rash on my stomach so she stopped that and told me to get over the counter Prilosec. That doesn't seem to be helping either.
I have tried gas x, tums, rolaids, everything.
I haven't really eaten in the last 3 weeks. It always feels like something is going to come up in my throat and choke me. When I eat it feels like the food just sits in the top of my stomach and doesn't digest. I don't have heartburn except very mild, but not everyday.
Like today just sitting here typing this I feel like my stomach is all lumpy. I have been burping a lot, sometimes that helps but sometimes it also makes it feel worse.
I am scared. Does anyone else feel this way?
HELP!!!!

08-18-2004, 08:39 AM

I seem to feel fine when I wake up, my stomach feels normal but when I get up and start moving around then the feelings in my stomach and my throat come back.
I feel this way 24/7 whether I eat or not. I have basically stopped eating because I am scared.

08-18-2004, 08:40 AM

Sorry, just to add one more thing, I might be being stupid and overreacting but it seems like when I swallow the last few days it is thicker, meaning my saliva is thicker somehow.
I have been drinking a lot of water and 7up so I don't feel dehydrated.

08-18-2004, 12:05 PM

Hi. I have had symptoms similar to yours for about 4 months now. My upper abdomen and lower chest hurt when I eat and sometimes when I don't. Like you said, I usually feel alright in the morning, but my symptoms flair up as the day progresses. I have been taking ppi's twice daily for a few months now. As far as the tests are concerned don't worry so much about them. They really aren't that bad and they help to diagnose your problem. The barium swallow is no sweat. Although the barium is very thick and disgusting tasting, the test is non-intrusive and painless. The endoscopy is also painless. The worst part about it is the iv they stick into your arm. I was completely asleep for my test. I woke up and it was over and I had no recollection of it. I was groggy the rest of the day but that was it.

08-18-2004, 12:53 PM

What did the doctors tell you was wrong after you got all of these tests?
Can they be done at the doctors office or do you have to go to the hospital to have them done?

08-18-2004, 10:30 PM

It use to be done at the hospitals but more doctors have been building larger offices that are capable of conducting these Tests!!

08-20-2004, 12:49 PM

My symptoms have yet to be diagnosed. Ruled out ulcers, crohn's, ibs, colitis, gall bladder, pancreas, GERD. My doc says it is functional dyspepsia. This means ulcer like symptoms with no ulcers or anything else showing up on tests. I had to go to the hospital and to a specialist to have all of my tests performed.

08-28-2004, 01:11 PM

Had 3 endoscopies done ,nothing too it .As for the barium swallow that was a problem for me.The barium stuff is thick and made me gag terrible,on top of that you have to drink it on an empty stomach.To make matters worse you have to drink quite a bit of it .If you dont have a problem with a queasy stomach you should do ok.I on the other hand have a sensitive stomach which made it hard for me to keep the barium down.Other than that i managed to make it thru both tests.Good luck .Take care

I have to get an endoscopy and barium test, I'm Scared!!!!

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