Gastroscopy

[Crescendo251]

Hi everyone,

I am an IBS/SIBO sufferer, and I have recently been booked in for a gastroscopy, and I would like to get some advice from any of you guys who might have had this procedure done before. My main symptoms mostly revolve around indigestion, severe bloating, and gut spasms. So I mainly want to ask you guys is a procedure like a gastroscopy actually worthwhile doing for someone like me. Will they actually detect something? Because in the information leaflet that they sent me with the appointment letter they have warned me about the potential side effects of the procedure, including having a sore throat, internal bleeding due to the endoscope damaging the gut, getting a tear in my stomach or intestines, and even damaging my teeth. I was also told that I can't eat anything in the 6 hours leading up to the test. So I'm just thinking that it would be extremely disappointing if I went through all that and have them come back to me a few months later and give me an "all clear" or tell me they couldn't find anything. I would really appreciate if you guys can give me your thoughts and recommendations on this, because I have never done this test before so I don't know what to expect and I'm quite nervous about it.

[sugarplumferry]

If you put gastroscopy in the search term here you’ll find some posts regarding this. Sorry I can’t help with personal experience.

[Ginnie2018 in reply to sugarplumferry]

Hi . I had a Gastroscopy done at the same time as my colonoscopy in 2021 due to some complications from my bowl resection in 2018 . I was also on PPI since 2019 and had to skip taking it that day along with fasting and prep for colonoscopy. It did give me some sore throat for some time after and had worse Gerd symptoms after that which is ongoing…, they only found some fundic glands in my stomach which is likely a side effect of PPI …and took some samples for HPylori which came back negative. So … that was basically my experience from Gastroscopy if that helps . I hope yours go well and best of luck .

[gussmithy]

I have had 4 or 5 gastrostomies over the years. I've never bothered with the optional anaesthetic and have experienced discomfort but it only lasts a few minutes. No after effects. Definitely worth doing if advised to , otherwise no proper diagnosis and this treatment.

[sg25 in reply to gussmithy]

Hi. I had one only two weeks ago. I really worked myself up beforehand and on the advice of another I had the sedative. The nurse also recommended the throat spray. That tasted horrible but only for a minute. I laid on my side but my next memory was of it being over. Strange as I don’t remember the tube going in, no gagging or discomfort. I would definitely recommend the sedative. We all react differently I know but if I had to have it done again it wouldn’t bother me. I had a slight sore throat the next day. My result was normal apart from a previously diagnosed hiatus hernia but that’s reassuring isn’t it?

[Fergie53 in reply to sg25]

Wow I can’t believe people who don’t have the sedative and even when I have it I’m still totally aware of everything and gagging it’s horrible, I’ve had 2 and I wouldn’t have another one, tho as you say we’re all different..

[Sallybt]

Hi Crescendo251, I am an IBS/SIBO sufferer I had an endoscopy which is very similar to gastroscopy and I was very nervous. I refused the anaesthetic , had the throat spray and I hardly felt a thing. The best thing to do is relax, just tell yourself it's soon over and the medical staff are very reassuring. Good luck

[Crescendo251 in reply to Sallybt]

Thanks for the encouragement. Did they actually detect anything during your endoscopy? Do you think the procedure was worthwhile doing?

[Sallybt in reply to Crescendo251]

Hi they found a couple of small polyps which was nothing to worry about and yes very glad I had it done for peace of mind. It really is a very straight forward procedure.

[Fergie53 in reply to Sallybt]

Wow I don’t know how people say it’s okay and no sedative, I’m obviously a very anxious person!

[Railman40]

I have had the procedure twice - first time many years ago without sedation and it was horrendous due to gagging etc but had it again in January this year. This time I had sedation and it was fine - hardly gagged but just felt tired for a few hours. For mine, the only thing they found was gastritis but this appeared to clear up without treatment after a few weeks. I also had a colonoscopy a few weeks ago as they suspect microscopic colitis - awaiting confirmation but they did remove a small polyp also. I think it is worthwhile having the procedure as there may be something that can be seen that can be treated. I think we all sometimes are fearful of these tests but we shouldn’t as the chances are it won’t be serious. Worrying about them can also give stomach issue symptoms as I call it - a vicious circle. Re the side effects you mention, I believe these are rare but they have to advise you of these. Hope this helps and hope you feel better soon.

[XDjames]

I remember the thing down the throat was less comfortable than the thing going in the other end but it wasn't a big deal, with no side effects that made a difference. I suggest taking what they give you to relax you. If they find nothing that's good news. What they found in me was not a big deal, so don't worry about it, you are in good hands.

[winfong]

They knocked me out. I had no idea anything even happened.

Like a colonoscopy, the main idea is to eliminate anything obvious (and, typically, really bad).

[poshette]

dont be nervous just as to not know about it.and yes it could come back all clear but surely its best to know and rule it out.i am so anxious about all my searches they still have not found anything but it does make me feel a little better ruling all out they have found that i have diverticulosis which does cause probs and acid reflux really yuk but am dealing with it.hope this answers your questions feel free to contacT again i know how dificult IBS can be but it does cover quite a few different ailments ALL SEEM TO BE DIFFERENT.

[Crescendo251]

Thank you guys for all the advice. I'm trying my best to find the courage to go through with this gastroscopy. But I'm just wondering if on the day I go in the room and everything just seems too scary to me, are there any alternative tests or scans that could be done to detect the same things?

[sg25 in reply to Crescendo251]

Just have the sedative and throat spray and you will be fine. Tell them you are very anxious and they’ll more than likely up the sedation which is called Medazelan (the correct spelling?) You’ll just sleep it off when you get home.