After being on different acid reflux medication and my acid reflux getting worse not better. My doctor decided to refer me to gastrology to see a consultant. I had to book my own appointment online. So I did that and my appointment wasn't til June. I was told to keep looking online to see if I could get a sooner appointment. I looked yesterday and saw an appointment for Monday so booked it.
So now I have to prepare for my appointment. Has anyone got advice from people who been to see to see a gastroenterologist?
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elanaoali
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Similar to the advice you might give to someone seeing a respiratory consultant: make certain you have a clear idea of what has been happening that might be relevant, make a list of any questions you want to ask and don’t be afraid to ask them. In my case other current medical conditions (and any past history that might be relevant) were asked for, and any possible relevant family history was also looked at and taken into consideration.
The other piece of advice I usually give is to remember that the moment you step into the consultant’s room there are two experts present: one, obviously, is the consultant, but the other is you; you are the expert on what you have been going through.
All the best, and I hope some progress is made to help you sort this out.
I used to have similar acid reflux problems for many years even before being diagnosed with asthma 30+ years ago. I suffered GERD and was on omeprazole, Ranitidine and other reflux meds. I was also having trouble often losing my voice and having stomach and chest pains.
I have been on Spiriva, Montelukast for 15+ years, I have been on Seretide also Symbicort, Cyclesonide, Formoterol and I am now on Fostair. At the moment I am still am on Esomeprazole. One time when I was having voice and gerd problems I was told to try doubling up on my inhalers for 1 month, then doubling up on the Esomeprazole for 1 month, then doubling up on both for 1 month. After doubling my inhalers my voice disappeared after 4 days, I had to stop working as I couldn't be heard on the telephone. So I went back to normal doses, I doubled the Esomeprazole and my voice started coming back. Then after further examinations, camera down my oesophagus, they found that my reflux acid was burning my vocal chords, so my meds were increased, I had to raise the head of my bed and I was put forward for surgery and had a 'Laproscopic Nissen Fundoplication' (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nisse..., Since having this done in 2009 I have had no problems with my voice, no reflux problems, I am still on asthma medication Spiriva, Fostair, Montelukast and I am enjoying life and no longer suffering the side effects of the Asthma medications.
Thankyou for the encouragement and advice. The appointment went well and the consultant was very thorough. He asked me about my symptoms etc.
The consultant doesn't think it's heartburn but still could be acid reflux. He has ordered some tests for me to have done. Firstly an ultrasound of my upper abdomenial area and then possibly a CT scan and a PH 24hr study.
I was told to stop all my medication for acid reflux as they weren't helping.
So I going to wait for his letter to my GP and me to come through in about two weeks time. Then I going to go back and see my doctor and discuss what the consultant has said.
The consultant did say it could be gallstones. However he did check over my stomach area and felt over my ribs. He asked me if I felt any pain in breathing in. I said no. So I not sure if it is. He did also say that I could just be very sensitive to acid reflux.
I did have problems with gall stones during the 1980's & 1990's and had an emergency admission in Oct 1996 due to them blocking a bile duct causing a lot of pain and jaundice. These were removed by endoscope, I still have my gall bladder.
To add and correct to what I said in my previous posts. I got my copy of the letter from the consultant to my GP today.
He has ordered an upper abdomen ultrasound looking at the binary tree and pancreas. A 24hr PH test and manometry looking for any reflux. If normal then I will be having a CAT scan.
Hi Tuckerbox that's why I think I am having an upper abdomenial ultrasound. The consultant thought it could be gallbladder. So I wait and see for my scan in two weeks.
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