1. Community
  2. Tests and investigations
  3. Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

How can I get a fast endocscopy?

Posted , 6 users are following.

biglebowski
biglebowski

Hi,

I've been having acid relux/gastric type problems for a month now and it's ony getting worse. My GP made me do a stool test for helicobacter pylori and it came back negative.

Initially when the doc saw me the first time he gave me Omeprozal 20mg...had it for a 7 days or so and so no improvements at all...it seemed to only add a bit more of the burning sensation and bloating I was feeling in my upper abdomen...but can't be sure of the correaltion..only that it defintely seemed to have no effect in that time. So I stopped it. Did the stool test and as I said it came back negative.

Been referred for an endoscopy....but with me experiencing more symptoms in the last few days...I'm needing to spit frequently...and yesterday for the first time I'm having slight problems swallowing. Not painful...just can feel the food going through slowly...and other times too...feeling like there's this kind of trapped acid or something in the back of my throat..or the passage has narrowed.

I'm really feeling miserable and stressed out.

Sorry for the pouring out of my problems. The question is there's no way I can deal with this for yet more weeks of waiting for the endoscopy. Is there a way to do it privately...and how much roughly does it cost?

There must be a way to get a 10 minute test done without having to wait for so long? Whatever's wrong with me is simply getting worse...just because of the snail's pace at which NHS seems to operate.

I've seen the doc 3 times so far about this gastric episode....and each time I've had to wait a whole damn week just to see him. This is awful.

Please help and advise if you know something about similar situations.

Thank you to anyone who responds.

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • ooops64
    ooops64 biglebowski

    Posted

    I had this for over a year, I found that chewing my food much more, and limiting my food to low acid foods helped. By the time I had my Endoscopy it had improved. The meds doc gave me helped. My endoscopy showed, slight inflammation. I am free of any probs now all cleared up. I drank loads of water, swallowed lots of Manuka Honey +25 this has healing properties. I cut out tea coffee and all alcohol. 

    Gavisgon over the counter product helped, and chewing gum as produced helpful gut juices. I hope your endoscopy is not too long to wait, mine was nearly three month wait, but I am in Hertfordshire. Depends were you are in the country I think.

    Regards to to you Maureen

     

  • Spindles
    Spindles biglebowski

    Posted

    I regularly get heartburn and had an endoscopy last year, I can't remember how long I had to wait though.  The muscle that closes off the stomach was open a bit which was one of the reasons why I was getting acid.  It's good that your sample came back negative but obviously this can't rule out everything. I think maybe you gave up a bit too soon with the Omeprazole as you didn't really give it a chance to work in such a short time.  If the doctor was REALLY worried they would have rushed you in for an endoscopy (if they thought it was cancer etc) so I would think that you are worrying and that is making you feel worse.  I know that if I am a bit stressed I get more heartburn and pains in my chest but when I'm calm I don't get them.   Are there times when you feel OK and have no heartburn etc. and other times when you do?  Can you pin the pain down to something that's happening in your day, stress, work or even food that might be causing it?   You're obviously getting worked up about the fact that you have to wait for a week before you can even get an appointment and then to have to wait for an endoscopy is making it worse and a couple of anxiety symptoms can include difficulty swallowing and feeling as if there is something in your throat.  They'll fit you in as soon as they can but take it as encouraging that you haven't been given an appointment for an endoscopy in a few days because that would REALLY worry me! I have no idea how much a private endoscopy would cost maybe you could try and find out from the hospital.
  • Spindles
    Spindles biglebowski

    Posted

    Just read the other message and agree with a lot of the suggestions. I chew chewing gum, although I recently read that peppermint makes heartburn worse!  I always thought if you had indigestion you took peppermint, ah well.  I am drinking soya milk between meals which I hope will help and am making sure I am not slouching and not wearing tight clothing as that all contributes to heartburn and acid.
  • ooops64
    ooops64 biglebowski

    Posted

    Agree with all you have said biblebowski. Which reminded me of the changes I made to me bed. I read on the internet, to higher the head of your bed, by butting something under the legs of your bed. So that you are not lying too flat. As my bed a huge kingside, and my husband and I have two separate single mattresses on this. I raised my mattress by firstly putting pillows under the mattress. I did by on Amazon something that raised my laying position, not expensive. I also used extra pillows too, that helped me lots. The chewing gum was lightly flavoured strawberry, not menthol or peppermint, it was just to lubricate the Omeprazal (Omeprozal not too sure of spelling, bur my system changed spelling). I found Ranitidine better for me than Omeprazal. 

    Regards Maureen

  • chelsie71723
    chelsie71723 biglebowski

    Posted

    I had the same issues as you for 4 months. It was so painful and I'm just now getting it resolved. I had to wait 2 1/2 months to see the doc and then another month to have the procedure. These doctors are VERY booked. I suggest you fight thru the pain and wait your turn. I know it's hard, I've been there!!! Weeks of crying but I had an amazing support system. I lost 10 pounds (a lot for someone my size) and I was miserable. It will be worth it I promise. Try taking 20mg of Prilosec TWICE a day and drink plenty of water, rest and eat small meals. Also, I would take antacid to help with the pain in the chest. Calm down and breathe. It will all be over soon. Also, omperazole takes a few weeks to actually kick in. Whatever you do, don't stop taking it! You probably need to up the dosage to 40mg instead of 20mg. That's what I had to do. I wish you the very best!
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.