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Finally getting tested and LOTS of questions/concerns!

Hi everybody! I just stumbled on this forum today and noticed how helpful every one is to each other so I figured I would give it a shot! Anyway, I have been dealing with digestive issues ever since I can remember. I have had acid reflux issues for some time now and have taken numerous medication (nexium, omeprazole, protonix) and nothing is really working. However, in the past year or so it hasn't been just the heartburn it's been other digestive issues as well. I will have severe pain in my stomach and also have other cramps and stabbing pains in my gut. This led me to my doctor and he advised a gluten free diet, I thought it was working but i have been on it for a year or more and my symptoms have gotten worse, not better. I will get a lot of pain on my lower right side which led me to the ER at one point because they believed it was appendicitis, but everything came back normal. Fast forward to now, I get intermittent bouts of constipation and diarrhea (totally not fun!). Once in a while I will think there is blood, but not concerning and there is usually mucus (sorry, if it's graphic- I'm not really shy about my bodily functions haha!). After many years of putting it off, I went to the gastro dr and he ordered an endoscopy and colonoscopy scheduled for Tuesday morning. Of course I am nervous because I don't like the thought of being sedated. Anyway, any advice or thoughts would be really appreciated:smile:!
 

Trysha

Moderator
Staff member
Hello angrytumtum
Welcome to the forum.
You will find lots of new friends here and very helpful information in these pages.
It looks as if you are on the right pathway to a proper diagnosis, colonoscopy is the gold standard and also the upper endoscopy . It will provide lots of information to the GI., and your course of treatment.
No one likes these procedures but most people find the prep is worse than the procedure.
The sedation is a breeze and very helpful for the procedure.It will make it more comfortable for you and recovery is quite swift.
It is ideal that you have such a quick appointment with the GI, some people on here have had waits of months.
Best wishes for Tuesday---please let us know how it goes for you.
Hugs
Trysha
 
Welcome! I just told my 17 year old niece who is also undergoing these that the sedation is my favorite part of the scope. I'm kind of a control freak, so sometimes it's nice to just have the control taken from you and surrender to it. Chill whatever you need to drink for the prep -then it's not so bad to get down. The test itself is a piece of cake. You can do this. And it's totally worth it to get some answers! Best of luck and let us know how you do!
 
Hi again! Thanks for the quick replies, it is much appreciated. Reading stories on here have really helped calming my nerves. Thankfully, they gave me 3 dulcolax tablets and doing the mirilax/gatorade combo for the prep. The only thing I am a little worried about is throwing up. Since throwing up has become a regular, especially if I don't have solid food in my system. Oh well! Fingers crossed! Just ready for the test to be over with and hopefully some answers :)
 
I also started off with pain on my right lower side near my appendix. I still get the same pain there when I have a flare up. It could have to do with your Ileum and an obstruction. Ask about that. Also, make sure they do a biopsy. That's how I originally got diagnosed with Celiac (gluten free). I went a whole 6 months before getting diagnosed with Crohns. It's a long battle but us Crohnies need to stay strong.
 
Sorry, just saw this. Chill anything you have to drink, get wet wipes (but don't flush them; throw them out). Keep a good book or iPod/tablet with you to distract you, and sniff mint if you get nauseated. Good luck! You can do this!
 
Hi everyone! So I thought I posted on here yesterday, but accidently posted on a different forum. The propofol really gets ya! haha! Anyway, the tests went fine. So far everything looks normal, so probably just IBS. My esophagus looks like I have Barrett's Syndrome but other than that all went well. They did some biopsies to rule out everything and should know in about a week. Thank you all for your support!
 
Hi everybody! I just stumbled on this forum today and noticed how helpful every one is to each other so I figured I would give it a shot! Anyway, I have been dealing with digestive issues ever since I can remember. I have had acid reflux issues for some time now and have taken numerous medication (nexium, omeprazole, protonix) and nothing is really working. However, in the past year or so it hasn't been just the heartburn it's been other digestive issues as well. I will have severe pain in my stomach and also have other cramps and stabbing pains in my gut. This led me to my doctor and he advised a gluten free diet, I thought it was working but i have been on it for a year or more and my symptoms have gotten worse, not better. I will get a lot of pain on my lower right side which led me to the ER at one point because they believed it was appendicitis, but everything came back normal. Fast forward to now, I get intermittent bouts of constipation and diarrhea (totally not fun!). Once in a while I will think there is blood, but not concerning and there is usually mucus (sorry, if it's graphic- I'm not really shy about my bodily functions haha!). After many years of putting it off, I went to the gastro dr and he ordered an endoscopy and colonoscopy scheduled for Tuesday morning. Of course I am nervous because I don't like the thought of being sedated. Anyway, any advice or thoughts would be really appreciated:smile:!
Are you going to Cleveland Clinic? If so, which doctor? Cleveland Clinic has excellent care and after 20 years of seeing "quacks", I received a proper diagnosis there.
 
Hi justin! Yes, I am going to cleveland clinic. I do for all my health concerns. They really are excellent at what they do. My GI doctor is dr. Springer. He works out of the north shore endoscopy center, located in Westlake it is part of the lakewood hospital- which is Cleveland clinic!
 
Hi justin! Yes, I am going to cleveland clinic. I do for all my health concerns. They really are excellent at what they do. My GI doctor is dr. Springer. He works out of the north shore endoscopy center, located in Westlake it is part of the lakewood hospital- which is Cleveland clinic!
I've got a laundry list of doctors there. Luke Weber (Excellent) for Crohn's. Mark Stovsky (Urologist) for the gold mine of Kidney Stones.

Doctors are caring there. Unlike the countless "specialists" I saw around the country at varying times in life.
 
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