First endoscope... feeling nervous for results!!

[Pinkpineapple]

Hi! In new here and this is my first time posting. I feel like I’m going insane and my whole family thinks I’m a hypochondriac and honestly that’s what I hope too!!

Im a 30 year old female. A few months ago I started having dull stomach pain. I wouldn’t even call it pain, more of an empty gnawing feeling. I also started having pain between my shoulder blades but my husband says I have a really hard muscle on the right side so it’s not internal. So for the last few months I’ve had the dull ache in my upper stomach. For the last few days I’ve noticed a dull pressure in my lower throat, I can’t even explain it! And I’ve also been burping a lot even on an empty stomach. I’ve been googling and freaking myself out so of course how I feel like my appetite is suppressed and I’m fatigued! I never want to eat but I force myself! That’s only been the last 4 days or so. The most worrisome symptom is one day I had black tarry stools. That’s when my mind started to spiral. That was a few days ago and I’ve had normal stool since.

I saw a doctor yesterday and he gave me an h pylori test which was negative. So he scheduled me for an endoscope in a few days (luckily soon!)

Forgot to mention- my dad has always had stomach issues. Ulcers and Heital hernia. His symptoms were always heart burn which I’m not experiencing. (Had very severe heart burn when I was pregnant)

As far as my lifestyle I do consume quite a bit of coffee, wine, and spicy food... I do have a LOT of stress in my life with my job, children, and just overall anxiety!! Lately I feel like the only time I’m not anxious is when I’m asleep. I sleep soundly and would sleep in for hours if possible. Maybe another sign of anxiety?

So anyways, I’m not scared of the endoscope itself just of the results! Anyone have any comforting stories or insight?

I’m hoping this is all in my head and my condition isn’t as severe as I’m assuming!

[John0118]

Hello. I can only give you one piece of advice as my edoscopy was for something different but TAKE THE SEDATION. I was going to see a band perform that night so opted just for the throat spray. Never again. The next 2 I had was with sedation and it was so so much better. Good luck x

[slobjohnb]

As my 100 year old great aunt once said "The things I worried about most never happened it was the things which happened unexpectedly which caused the most problems". People will tell you not to worry too much but that's easier said than done, I like to know exactly what is happening and have been very lucky. 9 months post oesophagectomy and my third scan has just revealed that I am still all clear. The endoscopy was fine for me but I recommend the local anaesthetic, it's less trouble all round. Good luck and God Bless.

[Hidden in reply to slobjohnb]

Do you still have to have scans and endoscopies after an oesphagectomy ? I thought once the oesphagus had been removed all that would be finished with .

[slobjohnb in reply to Hidden]

The oesophagectomy is the starting point, it is precise surgery with little room to move inside for the surgeons, they try to take out all affected areas including nearby lymph nodes which are examined afterwards for any further spread. Scans are important to check this out. An endoscopy after surgery would be mostly to enlarge the 'join' between the throat and stomach which can be a bit tight and food can still be restricted. This all sounds scary but the surgeons are very experienced and will be doing their best for you. As far as I'm concerned the more scans the better because they will catch any possible spreading to other areas. Put your trust in the surgeons, they have so much experience and in this world of success being measured by statistics - believe you me - they want successful outcomes.

[Debbiewallis in reply to Hidden]

Hubby two days ago had his 8th Endoscopy “ Stretch “ after being 15 months post op due to the new lumen ‘ narrowing ‘ ( the stricture ) from the surgery ! So used to it that he only has throat spray nothing else !! Hopefully this is the last but at least they check him out each time which is soo reassuring !!

[Hctc]

Take it one day at a time. Try saying the serenity prayer over and over and see if that helps. It works for me, and I hope it will help.

Don't worry about the alleged hypochondria and the anxiety. We feel what we feel and we process fear uniquely. Not knowing is the worst.

[tallbear]

Hi there,

Definitely have the sedation, don't do it without. I had two before I was aware you could have sedation and the difference is awesome. No pain and little discomfort, and as one of the other replies is saying, don't worry about future endoscopies or scans as they are all just to make sure all has gone as it should during the operation. (That is of course if you have to have an operation, you may not.)

Scans DO highlight any problems that require further attention and they are completely painless, I have had five or six without any discomfort.

Good luck with it all

[Debbiewallis]

Hi !! You are the first person that’s described the same odd pains that I have !! That gnawing empty horrible feeling even though I know I’m not hungry !

I was diagnosed with Barrett’s Oesophagus last year at the same time my husband was diagnosed with Cancer of the Oesophagus so I am anxious to say the least with pains that I have !! Yes even paranoid but I was right about him and I won’t let anyone fob me off !! I’m due for a Endoscopy but they said it takes a few weeks ! I’m petrified! I feel bad as my poor husband has now had more than a dozen to date as he has to keep being “ stretched” following his IL op. I have already had a MRI a CT and U/ S scan but I think because of him I’ll always worry .... surely we can’t both be bloody unlucky !!

Good luck with your scan results! X

[Debbiewallis]

Let me know how you get on ! I was referred for urgent Endoscopy yesterday’s ..... bricking it 😩