Upper GI

Not really. You may want to get upeer GI endoscopy if your doctor suspects that there is something like gastritis or gastroparesis, h.pylori, etc. 

If you visit the Barrett's Wessex website (www BarrettsWessex org uk) , you'll find "Patients' Experiences" where some have described their experience of endoscopy specifically to tell those who have never had the procedure, what to expect.

(Scroll down the home page to find it. )

Hi Branden,

Firstly, no - there's no special prep for gastroscopy, just fasting.

Secondly, why are you so keen to get this done? As someone else said on these boards very recently, it tends to be an over-prescribed examination.

I've had symptoms of what my GP says is almost certainly acid reflux for 40 years now, and have learned to manage them. I did have a gastroscopy 4 years ago, but that was in an emergency situation and they didn't go any further down than the entrance to my oesophagus. (I'd swallowed my denture, no one believed me so they did a gastroscopy to "reassure" me it wasn't there - and it was, of course!) I've never had a gastroscopy for my reflux symptoms.

Instead, I've learned to manage them. I find the most important thing is to identify dietary triggers. Work out which foods/drinks set off the symptoms, and more importantly, what you can risk eating or drinking late in the evening. I discovered early on that bread is my main trigger, so I eat very little of it, and never in the evening. Certain fruits - notably cherries - will do it for me too. We all have different metabolisms, so we're likely to have different triggers.

I've also learned to sleep with the head of my mattress slightly raised. Since I did that I hardly ever have an attack.

Interesting that you mention constipation. I try to avoid getting constipated at all costs, as this also causes acid reflux in me. Ditto wearing my trousers too tight - comical as that may sound!

By all means ask your doctor for a gastroscopy if you want one. At your age they're bound to find some minor condition for which they'll prescribe lifelong medication. In case someone in here starts screaming in protest, I'm not telling you not to have a gastroscopy. I'm just saying that you can avoid it if you want to by taking responsibility for your own health.