Endoscopy fear

Suzy · Post by **Suzy** » Wed Mar 08, 2017 5:55 pm

Hi. I'm debating whether to get an endoscopy or not. My last one was in the fall of 2014 for mild chronic gastritis. My esophagus looked fine, though they did find a Shatzki's ring (asymptomatic) and small hiatal hernia, both of which, I've read, are common and typically non-symptomatic.

Since getting off the PPI and H2 several months ago I've had daily heartburn/chest pain (though it is slowly improving), which is why I'm wondering if I should get an endoscopy or not.

My fear is that it will cause more damage/irritation to the esophageal lining, or even death (ie Joan Rivers). I've also read reports of patients who felt 100 times worse for many months after an endoscopy due to damage caused by the procedure.

Also, I will never take another PPI or H2 (my body reacts very badly to them), so I wonder what the point of getting an endoscopy would be if acid blockers are out of the question.

On the other hand, if it all looks good, a clean bill of health would greatly help in easing my anxiety, which would in turn calm my heartburn/pain. I've also read that endoscopies are generally not indicated for GERD unless you're a male, over age 50, who has had it for many years.

Any suggestions/experience?

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Wed Mar 08, 2017 8:14 pm

my initial thought is that having the anaesthetic to have the endoscopy could be counteractive to the peace of mind it may bring.
Anaesthetic is a common mast cell /histamine trigger and also is big interrupter to the methylation cycle (key for good usage of B vitamins in the body and detoxing etc)

as we have discussed in the past, it takes weeks/months for the body to heal. Healing needs the right nutrients and minimal triggers.
my thoughts would be to wait at least 3 months after starting good doses of Vit D3 and magnesium before I would look to having procedures like endoscopy.

Suzy · Post by **Suzy** » Wed Mar 08, 2017 8:40 pm

Thanks Gabes. Good advice. That will put me around one year off the PPI which is probably the minimal amount of time needed for my LES to recover from almost a year and a half of poisoning myself with them.

LauraAnn · Post by **LauraAnn** » Wed Mar 08, 2017 9:06 pm

I have sworn off endoscopes forever after being put on PPI's and then immediately having explosive diarrhea that then led to colonoscopy that then led to MC diagnosis. What a wild trip this has been. Just saying......

Suzy · Post by **Suzy** » Wed Mar 08, 2017 9:41 pm

I hear you LauraAnn. And I had no idea that the endoscopy anesthesia had side effects! I thought once it wore off, that was the end of it! I have read that with colonoscopies, the prep they give you can really damage gut flora (not sure if that's true -- I'm sure others here know better than I do).
Did the colonoscopy cause the Mc?

LauraAnn · Post by **LauraAnn** » Thu Mar 09, 2017 7:39 am

Suzy, no the PPI they gave me for GERD is the main suspect. Though the doctor would never ever admit to that. He just said no one knows what causes MC. Well, I beg to differ!

Suzy · Post by **Suzy** » Sat Mar 11, 2017 8:56 pm

LauraAnn what do you do know for your gerd? Do you get heartburn/chest pain?

LauraAnn · Post by **LauraAnn** » Sat Mar 11, 2017 10:44 pm

I hardly ever have it now since I changed my diet. If I eat something too spicy and get a little burning, one Tums fixes me right up. My new way of eating has totally fixed the heartburn I used to have every day and night. I figure it's probably the GF that is the most helpful, but could be the DF, Egg free, soy free also!

Suzy · Post by **Suzy** » Sat Mar 11, 2017 11:25 pm

Do you need to eat low carb too (ie no potatoes, rice, winter squash, fruit, grains)?

LauraAnn · Post by **LauraAnn** » Sun Mar 12, 2017 12:20 am

I do eat carbs. Red potatoes, rice (all but brown), all squashes, green beans, only bananas, canned peaches and a little applesauce for my fruits, corn chips,tortillas and just started trying gf breads.