Gastroscopy

[Feuer Frei!]

Well, i had a gastroscopy done today to check for any irregularities in my stomach.
Over the last 6 to 8 mths i've developed symptoms of bad reflux, lots of gass, bloating, hunger pains after eating, approx. 1 to 3 hours after eating, like i haven't eaten for a day or 2 and unexplained weight loss.
The results came back saying there was nothing major wrong, thank God, however they did take some biopsies and will conduct a follow-up meeting with me at the hospital on the 22nd of this month.
Was wondering if anyone else had something similar done and had/has similar symptoms.

[Freiwillige]

Nope but I do wish you much health my friend. I am curious though, did the symptoms just come on or was it a gradual escalation?

Has your diet changed as a result of this problem?

[Feuer Frei!]

Nope but I do wish you much health my friend. Thank you sir. I am curious though, did the symptoms just come on or was it a gradual escalation?
A gradual escalation, over a 6 to 8 mth period.

Has your diet changed as a result of this problem?
No it hasn't, and i told the Doc that today as well before the procedure, i told him i wanted to await the outcome of the gastro and the follow up appointment first.
Now another 2 week wait putting up with my symptoms! My patience is running out very quickly.

[papa_smurf]

I've had Endoscopy, when in my 2nd year at university kept getting quite ill (lost a bit of weight amongst other things) and had to be put on an IV drip as my potassium levels were dangerously low, so as part of the investigation I had Endoscopy to rule out bowel related illness including Crones disease.

In the end it turned out not to be anything serious and was sorted out a few weeks later.

[kranz]

I also had gastroscopy sth like a half year ago. I was scared to death as it was my first time. The doc said it's only too much stress and irregular eating that causes the pain in stomach. It kinda gave me answer for my question but since I cannot eliminate any of the above factors I can still feel the pain from time to time.

[Growler]

Be well, lads, all of you.:up:

Stress is a killer that usually first manifests in the stomach/digestive tract. Think of all this that you've gone through as your first wake-up calls, relax, and be well.

Life's short enough without stress-shortening it anymore than we have to.

[Rockstar]

What did they see that caused them to take samples for a biopsy?

[jumpy]

Did any of you guys meet agent picolax by any chance, as part of the preparation before the exam?

If not, I can post a link you might find amusingly distracting, maybe..

On the waiting thing, at least you should be ok with a diagnosis and a solution from here on. Hang in there :up:

[Feuer Frei!]

What did they see that caused them to take samples for a biopsy?

Well, they tell me that they won't take biopsies unless they see something unusual or they are not sure about something and need further investigation.

This is straight from the report, of which i have a copy of:

Findings: "Biopsies were taken with a cold forceps for histology. Biopsies were taken with a cold forceps for Helicobacter pylori testing".

Impression: Normal oesophagus. Z-Line regular, 40cm from the incisors.
Gastric mucosal abnormality characterized by erythema. This was biopsied."

So, by the looks of it, 3 samples were taken, Google tells me:
Histology: Histology is the microscopic study of tissue, which is an organized collection of cells and their supporting structures
Helicobacter pylori: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the bacteria responsible for most ulcers (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/n/pmh_adam/A003228/) and many cases of stomach inflammation (chronic gastritis (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/n/pmh_adam/A000232/)).

Gastric mucosal abnormality characterized by erythema:
This means that the lining of the stomach is red which is generally a sign of inflammation. This is called gastritis or an irritation of the wall of the stomach and can be relieved by medications such as prevacid.

Like i said, I thank God that i don't have anything serious, but obviously there are 3 things there that they will study further and present the results to me on the 22nd of this month.
I just want all this to be over with, i've been living with this crap for nearly 12 mths now, the unexplained weight loss is the worst, now, i have to wait another 2 weeks nearly to move a step closer to diagnosing and hopefully rectifying this condition. Seriously frustrating this :damn:

[Feuer Frei!]

Did any of you guys meet agent picolax by any chance, as part of the preparation before the exam?

Ahhhh, i remember the picolax, yess sirreeee! :down:

I had a Barium Enema many years ago and that was given to me in the days leading up to it, via sachets.
Unpleasant to say the least, but it was tolerable.

[Rockstar]

Medicine has come long way so don't loose any sleep over this. All these things are easily treatable and you'll be back to yer ol'self again soon. Sounds like since the doctor was already there he just took advantage of it and grabbed some samples. Good for him and you.

While you wait start looking up your symptoms online. Some good medical websites out there that will help you ask your doctors the right questions. As well as help you understand what he or she may tell you.

Better living through chemistry! :yeah:

[Feuer Frei!]

While you wait start looking up your symptoms online.

Oh i've done this a lot. And i mean a lot.
Trouble is, unexplained weight loss can be attributed to so many things, it's hard to pinpoint it down to one or two things.
The other symptoms also, which makes it incredibly frustrating.

[jumpy]

tbh, in matters medical, I didn't find 'looking it up on the internet' to be particularly helpful; not being a doctor, myself, it was easy to jump to conclusions without any real understanding of the subject and how it may have pertained to me.
It's good for familiarising yourself with established facts from your doctor, allowing further understanding on your part and insight for future questions, but that's about all really.

Browse if you must, but try not to read too much in to it, otherwise you end up looking up the symptoms of a sore elbow and eventually conclude that you might have something a good deal more serious than just tennis elbow :doh:

oh, here's the link to the picolax thread I mentioned earlier - the main contributor is a chap who calls himself 'blu-tone' http://www.singletrackworld.com/2009/02/the-picolax-thread-returns/ I'm reasonably sure you will appreciate the humour of it... :)

[Platapus]

Wait until you get older and the doctors want to take an "alternate" route. :o

[Growler]

Wait until you get older and the doctors want to take an "alternate" route. :o

Well, it's been said that programmers leave a back door...

[papa_smurf]

Wait until you get older and the doctors want to take an "alternate" route. :o

Been there, had that done (wimped out and asked for a general anesthetic).

[Seth8530]

Well, i had a gastroscopy done today to check for any irregularities in my stomach.
Over the last 6 to 8 mths i've developed symptoms of bad reflux, lots of gass, bloating, hunger pains after eating, approx. 1 to 3 hours after eating, like i haven't eaten for a day or 2 and unexplained weight loss.
The results came back saying there was nothing major wrong, thank God, however they did take some biopsies and will conduct a follow-up meeting with me at the hospital on the 22nd of this month.
Was wondering if anyone else had something similar done and had/has similar symptoms.

I just got done going thru somthing very similer to thiss.. What would happen is that i would eat and i would get extremly bloated, and my appetite would be dead for like most of the day. Id wake up with a beer belly and over the day it would go down some... It wasnt pleasent at all... It took me about 5 months to get over it... But i dont know, it mighta been stress from starting college, but i dont think im that susceptible to stress.. but good look!

[Jimbuna]

Absolutely no personal experience of this but I hope it turns out well for you.

[Platapus]

Wait until you get older and the doctors want to take an "alternate" route. :o

Been there, had that done (wimped out and asked for a general anesthetic).


When I was in the Military, I had my first sigmoidoscopy. There was no option of general anesthetic. :nope:

Well in the Military you are a piece of meat. So there I was no Sh.. Well literally none as I had this tube up my rear.

I was in a kneeling position with my butt high and my head low, while this doctor was raping me with 100' of 5" fire hose. I swear that this doctor graduated from Roto Rooter. :stare:

Then the class walks in.. :o:o:o

A group of young female technicians (18-24) attending class came in to observe. Talk about complete humilation :o:o:o

No privacy, no dignity, all of a sudden I was a "teaching aid".

Just me, my anus, and about 5000 feet of steel cable. and yes, I was facing the class all through this.

Probably the most humiliation I have ever had.

Ahh the good ole days in the military... boy they sucked!

[Growler]

Ahh the good ole days in the military... boy they sucked!

I'm so going to hell for laughing at this.

Sorry, Plat.

[Platapus]

Oh laugh away. It was a "hallmark" moment.

I am just glad they did not take any pictures. :o

[Growler]

I think it's SOP for military doctors/hospitals to do something to every single EM who's in their care - probably to dissuade return visits. I think it works.

[Platapus]

What really stunk was that most of them were pretty cute, but I don't think I was at my best for first impressions. :-?

[Jimbuna]

Sorry but........LOL :DL

[Platapus]

It was almost 20 years ago so I can laugh about it too. :03: