Has anyone had an EGD?

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ByFaith
ByFaith Member Posts: 270
edited August 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I may need an EGD, if my symptoms of abdominal discomfort in the morning do not resolve, to rule out any other causes. For the time being, the doctor has recommended I take Prilosec and have my routine colonoscopy. 

I've had gastritis in the past from the same drug I was on when this started, *exact* same symptoms, have a very sensitive stomach, had extreme family stress during this time, and hope the EGD will be unnecessary. In fact, my medical chart's "past history" section has always indicated "gastritis without hemorrhage." A stool H. Pylori test and all my annual physical lab results this week came back normal. I know my GP is recommending this possible approach now because of my 2010 diagnosis of breast cancer and is just being prudent. 

I've read about EGD and know many people get this procedure. However, as is common with the Internet, I found some "horror stories" of people who had the EGD, they found nothing except gastritis, but the EGD caused serious, long-term problems that never existed before. I know I can ask my GP, but he always glosses over any side effects or risks for drugs and testing. 

Is an EGD painful, and much more importantly, are serious chronic side effects common? Should I need the EGD if Prilosec treatment fails, I'd like to know. Thanks. 

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  • websister
    websister Member Posts: 1,092
    edited August 2014

    Hi - I have to have EGD's every three years due to monitoring of Barrett's esophagus. They are relatively easy, the first time I needed a little more sedation before they could pass the scope down but now that we have that figured out there is no problem. I usually have a sore throat for a day or two afterwards, and this is common, for me a little more expected as they take biopsies of the esophagus each time. 

    Serious side effects/complications are not common; there may be more concern with esophageal dilatation if someone is confusing EGD with that. 

    If Prilosec is not working it seems that they may want to do an EGD to have a look.

    Take care

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  • ByFaith
    ByFaith Member Posts: 270
    edited August 2014

    Websister --Thank you for your kind and helpful reply. I'm sorry you have to deal with Barrett's esophagus, but you sound like you have a great attitude. 

    You and others may notice I deleted my original post. I did so because I found I was obsessing too much about my health and it was making my symptoms worse. I knew if I kept the post up, I would check for replies, so it was best to delete it. 

    I won't be checking this post anymore, so perhaps the moderators will take it down. Poor judgment on my part to not think before I posted, but I do appreciate your very kind reply. 

    Thanks again. Hugs to you. 

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  • Tomboy
    Tomboy Member Posts: 3,945
    edited August 2014

    but i soooo wanted to know what an EGD was!

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  • websister
    websister Member Posts: 1,092
    edited August 2014

    EGD - esophagastroduodenoscopy

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