Gastroenterologist Appointment

[LauraMk30]

24-8-17

Hello all,

My appointment went really well yesterday ! What a lovely man!

First of all the specialist was frigging lovely, for me to find a empathetic Human in the medical field was a wonderful & rare occasion. 💝

I mentioned the most important gastro symptoms & how they effect me, & my swallowing difficulties.

He said my last endoscopy was in 2009, but struggled to swallow the tube & didn't get to undergo the procedure. Which he stated my Gp could of requested a GA but didn't.

He asked if I had episodes of choking at night - & I agreed, he said it's called dysphagia & can be very distressing. Even the smallest of foods seem to get stuck & not go down so that's why I regurgitate.

He continued to ask more in depth questions about pain, bloating, fatigue he listened intently, when he mentioned my weight loss, he said It's a substantial unintended amount to loose in such a short period of time. Quite dangerous.

I said I feel ok if I don't eat, but when I do I get these strong contractions & waves of pain. so this is what he's suggested

Conclusion: it sounds like I could have *narrowing of the oesophagus, or blockage

* delayed gastric Emptying Disorder.

gastroparesis. Due to having GERD for 13 years he said it has had a huge impact on the oesophagus over time. Ordered a ODG under General Anaesthetic- Biopsies need to be taken & any abnormalities will be throughly looked at.

We asked how long a GA ODG would take on the NHS: 8-10 weeks.

Private 5th sept @ 7am . Cost: £1,636

My dad has decided to book me in to have it done ✅ we just need to come up with the funds now.

The specialist made us both laugh he said there's 999,999 people that can breeze through the ODG with sedation & throat spray, but there's that 1 patient that cannot & that is "you" 👱🏻‍♀️

I feel very happy 😊 & relieved that it went so well. & its uplifting to be in the hands of a caring specialist who really wants to help get to the bottom of things, He looked through my medical notes/letters & finished by saying despite not having a definite diagnosis I shouldn't of been dropped & discharged. There are many diseases & just because I didn't fit the criteria doesn't mean that I'm not severely poorly & he will push on to find out what's wrong with me. Nice x

[Sarinanp]

I am glad to hear you are having investigations done. Hope all goes well

[LauraMk30 in reply to Sarinanp]

Thank you Sarinap, xx

[Lupiknits]

I'm so glad you are getting somewhere! My problems are very similar. I'll keep an eye out for your next steps. Take care x

[LauraMk30 in reply to Lupiknits]

Aww thanks Lupiknits,

How are things ?

X

[Lupiknits in reply to LauraMk30]

My innards have been bad for a week Laura, but nothing as bad as yours x

[LauraMk30 in reply to Lupiknits]

Lupiknits if it's bad my friend it's bad & we're 2 poorly peas In the same pod. X

[PMRpro]

Hallelujah!!!!! Good doctors are worth their weight in gold!

[LauraMk30 in reply to PMRpro]

Yay !! Amen 🙏🏼 xx

[Wendy39]

Really really pleased to read your post. I have spotted a few of your previous posts but still haven't caught up properly yet. I am so glad this appointment was so productive and that you liked and trusted this new doctor. What a relief for you. Let's hope things really get pushed forward quickly now and you get some answers. Please let us know how it all goes. Good luck. X

[LauraMk30 in reply to Wendy39]

Aww hey Wendy

Thanks so much, oh don't worry about catching up, just start from here 😊 my previous posts are all about my struggle. Thank you so am I. I left there feeling elated! I did like him, he seemed very genuine & I felt content knowing I'm in the best hands.

Me too things have only got worse for me, & now I have some faith that it's going to get better.

Really appreciate your message Wendy, please keep in touch too. Always here if you want to Pm & chat xx

[Hidden in reply to LauraMk30]

Only just seen this post Laura - so glad you're in such good and thorough hands. I too have longstanding GERD and nasty oesophogal spasms (like heart attack sometimes and other times like gastritis but a GP says it's not) but not as bad as yours. I have lost over a few stone in 4 months because of nausea due to lower abdominal issues (slow transit) and swallowing issues and have just been referred to see a gastro at last.

I've been bothering GPs about this for a few years now - but after a clear colonoscopy (apart from large haemorrhoids) last year the GPs have refused to refer me for consult. Thank goodness for a good CTD doctor last week who has referred me for further investigations. Hope I get someone as good as yours.

[misty14]

Hi Laura

So pleased you've found a specialist who wants to help you and find out what exactly is wrong. So sorry you have awful problems with your oesophagus. I'd be like you, couldn't go thru that test knowing about it. I'd much rather be out of it and let them do it!. Keep us posted how you get on and good luck. X

[LauraMk30 in reply to misty14]

Hey misty,

Aww thanks, it's such a relief to be honest as I was at the point of giving up. Yep being out for the count is the only way. It was quite traumatic with throat spray & sedation. & to be held down forcefully to get the tube down was much worse.

So 3rd time lucky & I'm happy because going private they treat you more like a human being than a number on a tick list.

7 day countdown till my procedure I'll keep you posted x

How are you misty ? Hope life is being a little more gentle on you x god bless x

[misty14 in reply to LauraMk30]

Hi Laura

What an awful traumatic experience you had. Enough to put you off for life!. Good luck for this one, not long to have it hanging over!. I'll think of you and so agree re private treat you like a human being not a number!.

I've got a lot of nerve pain as injections wore off too soon but pleased about my foot and it doesn't hurt!. Thanks for asking. Take care and fingers tightly crossed for you. X👌🏻😊💚💐

[LauraMk30 in reply to misty14]

Thank you misty 💖 that's so nice of you x

One more sleep & I'll be literally in a induced coma tomorrow morning. I'm booked in for 9am now.

I'm looking forward to finding out what is going on! I had a copy letter from the gastroenterologist & what he wrote was lovely. " I promised Laura I would have an in depth look & try my up most best to give her the help she most certainly needs & deserves. 😢💖

Roll on tomorrow, xx

[misty14 in reply to LauraMk30]

Best of luck Laura for tomorrow. Will think of you. The Gastro sounds a lovely man and another true medical detective wanting to help. It's heartening for us on here to know they do exist!. Fingers tightly crossed that you do get the help you need!. X