roy.or.r
Well-Known Member
I am 35 btw if that makes any difference.
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Endoscopy
- Thread starter roy.or.r
- Start date
Endoscopies are fine. I've had three or four down the years, plus a colonoscopy, plus a camera up the nose and down the throat simultaneously, plus an NG-tube for 15 months across 2019 and 2020. I'm 30.
Take the sedation that they offer. You won't knock out like you're under general anaesthetic, but you just go droopy and dozy. You'll feel the camera, it might be uncomfortable, but it just won't bother you that much.
You do eventually nod off for a bit, and you'll wake up about 45 mins later in a small ward. They'll let you go home the same day once you're awake, but you might have to get someone to drive you if you've had sedation.
It sounds like you've got some kind of gastritis/acid reflux issue imo, possibly GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) or a hiatal hernia at worst. All of them are manageable, none of them are life-threatening.
The reason you're feeling something when you lie on your right side is because the opening to your stomach is technically "above" your windpipe at that point, so you've probably just got stomach acid leaking into your esophagus.
That'll probably be what's giving you the feeling you need to clear your throat all the time.
You feel nothing when you're lying on your left or back because the opening to your stomach goes "below" your esophagus at that point, simply because stomach acid can't leak upwards.
In the meantime, just try some Rennies or something. You'll likely be diagnosed with something that means you have to take Omeprazole (or other PPIs) for a bit. You'll be alright! And good luck.
Take the sedation that they offer. You won't knock out like you're under general anaesthetic, but you just go droopy and dozy. You'll feel the camera, it might be uncomfortable, but it just won't bother you that much.
You do eventually nod off for a bit, and you'll wake up about 45 mins later in a small ward. They'll let you go home the same day once you're awake, but you might have to get someone to drive you if you've had sedation.
It sounds like you've got some kind of gastritis/acid reflux issue imo, possibly GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) or a hiatal hernia at worst. All of them are manageable, none of them are life-threatening.
The reason you're feeling something when you lie on your right side is because the opening to your stomach is technically "above" your windpipe at that point, so you've probably just got stomach acid leaking into your esophagus.
That'll probably be what's giving you the feeling you need to clear your throat all the time.
You feel nothing when you're lying on your left or back because the opening to your stomach goes "below" your esophagus at that point, simply because stomach acid can't leak upwards.
In the meantime, just try some Rennies or something. You'll likely be diagnosed with something that means you have to take Omeprazole (or other PPIs) for a bit. You'll be alright! And good luck.
Oops!The dentist won't be able to do the fillings if you're grinning. Be careful what you bear/bare.
Look on the positive side, there's plenty they can do and you have youth on your side. However, statistically only a small percentage of people are diagnosed with a serious illness after endoscopies/colonoscopies (last one actually 10% in the letter I received from the hospital).I am 35 btw if that makes any difference.
Good luck, try not to stress too much.
Rory Bluelow
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 4 May 2014
- Messages
- 2,239
Very helpful post.Endoscopies are fine. I've had three or four down the years, plus a colonoscopy, plus a camera up the nose and down the throat simultaneously, plus an NG-tube for 15 months across 2019 and 2020. I'm 30.
Take the sedation that they offer. You won't knock out like you're under general anaesthetic, but you just go droopy and dozy. You'll feel the camera, it might be uncomfortable, but it just won't bother you that much.
You do eventually nod off for a bit, and you'll wake up about 45 mins later in a small ward. They'll let you go home the same day once you're awake, but you might have to get someone to drive you if you've had sedation.
It sounds like you've got some kind of gastritis/acid reflux issue imo, possibly GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) or a hiatal hernia at worst. All of them are manageable, none of them are life-threatening.
The reason you're feeling something when you lie on your right side is because the opening to your stomach is technically "above" your windpipe at that point, so you've probably just got stomach acid leaking into your esophagus.
That'll probably be what's giving you the feeling you need to clear your throat all the time.
You feel nothing when you're lying on your left or back because the opening to your stomach goes "below" your esophagus at that point, simply because stomach acid can't leak upwards.
In the meantime, just try some Rennies or something. You'll likely be diagnosed with something that means you have to take Omeprazole (or other PPIs) for a bit. You'll be alright! And good luck.
For Roy’s benefit, I had very similar symptoms to him for a good few years, recurring acid reflux and felt I couldn’t swallow properly. Anyhow, at my annual Company medical, the doc suggested I should get an endoscopy (which I didn’t fancy at all tbh) to check it out. Around the same time I found I had a condition likely to lead to type 2 diabetes. I lost some weight (around 3 stone) and the glucose intolerance went away and the reflux was much less frequent. I then learned about the benefits of lying on your left side the reflux went away. I naturally prefer to sleep on my right side but if I feel any reflux developing (from rich food and red wine) I just turn over and generally it goes away - if not right away, a couple of Rennies occasionally will fix it.
I’m guessing Roy’s got nothing really wrong, but an endoscopy would definitely put his mind at rest.
bluethrunthru
Well-Known Member
Hey there Blues! Anyone here ever had an Endoscopy? I have been having this weird symptom in my throat where I feel like there is a lump when lying on my right side and occasional heartburn. But when I lie on my left side or on my back, I don’t feel it. I do suffer from extreme health anxiety and I have pushed for and finally scheduled an Endoscopy. I am worried they might find something bad like Cancer. I should have done this long time ago and feel like I have left it too late. My CT scan recently of the abdomen has come back normal but I don’t think that actually tells anything. I am just venting here. Do they tell the results immediately after the procedure?
Yep had a few but have had more colonoscopies ( medics keep thinking they will find stuff down my throat or up my arse but they don't ) - I find the endoscopy is the worst of the two BUT..... thats because I have a bad gag reflex - if you can take it then it should be fine. Just listen to what they tell you to do and don't resist and it will soon be over. I dislike both but I'd rather if anything is wrong they find it sooner rather than when its too late.
Results will come later - possibly a week or so - because they will need to review the footage and if anything is removed for a biopsy it will need to be analysed. Hope its nothing to worry about but if it is best get it diagnosed and treated - nobody wants to sit in a chair in front of a consultant who says " well, sorry to say if you had come to us earlier........ "
Mr Ed (The Stables)
Well-Known Member
Having survived and been cured of cancer of the "Esophagus" I've had a zillion endoscopes over the last 6 years.
Take the maximum amount of sedation that they give and just try to keep calm.
it is uncomfortable when they start to insert it but if you relax it will be easier. If they are just taking samples and photographs there's a good chance you will fall asleep.
I got used to them in the end but for some reason I hate the spray that they give you. Banana flavour my backside, tastes like nothing else and slightly burns/stings. I act like a 5 year old pinch my nose for as long as possible until I get told to lye on my side.
One of my doctors was great, once you were ready he'd dim the lights and play soothing classical music.
Hope everything works out there's nothing to worry about, as others have said it will take maybe 8 weeks to get a written report but they do come into the recovery room once your back awake and tell you what they have done.
They may give you a suspension medicine which soothes and puts a lining back on your Esophagus.
You will be in the unit I would say between 2 to 4 hours, they won't let you go home until you've eaten something a sandwich or biscuit plus a hot drink like tea or coffee which they provide.
If you want anymore advice etc don't hesitate to PM me. Hope all goes well.
Take the maximum amount of sedation that they give and just try to keep calm.
it is uncomfortable when they start to insert it but if you relax it will be easier. If they are just taking samples and photographs there's a good chance you will fall asleep.
I got used to them in the end but for some reason I hate the spray that they give you. Banana flavour my backside, tastes like nothing else and slightly burns/stings. I act like a 5 year old pinch my nose for as long as possible until I get told to lye on my side.
One of my doctors was great, once you were ready he'd dim the lights and play soothing classical music.
Hope everything works out there's nothing to worry about, as others have said it will take maybe 8 weeks to get a written report but they do come into the recovery room once your back awake and tell you what they have done.
They may give you a suspension medicine which soothes and puts a lining back on your Esophagus.
You will be in the unit I would say between 2 to 4 hours, they won't let you go home until you've eaten something a sandwich or biscuit plus a hot drink like tea or coffee which they provide.
If you want anymore advice etc don't hesitate to PM me. Hope all goes well.
remember arthur mann
Well-Known Member
Having survived and been cured of cancer of the "Esophagus" I've had a zillion endoscopes over the last 6 years.
Take the maximum amount of sedation that they give and just try to keep calm.
it is uncomfortable when they start to insert it but if you relax it will be easier. If they are just taking samples and photographs there's a good chance you will fall asleep.
I got used to them in the end but for some reason I hate the spray that they give you. Banana flavour my backside, tastes like nothing else and slightly burns/stings. I act like a 5 year old pinch my nose for as long as possible until I get told to lye on my side.
One of my doctors was great, once you were ready he'd dim the lights and play soothing classical music.
Hope everything works out there's nothing to worry about, as others have said it will take maybe 8 weeks to get a written report but they do come into the recovery room once your back awake and tell you what they have done.
They may give you a suspension medicine which soothes and puts a lining back on your Esophagus.
You will be in the unit I would say between 2 to 4 hours, they won't let you go home until you've eaten something a sandwich or biscuit plus a hot drink like tea or coffee which they provide.
If you want anymore advice etc don't hesitate to PM me. Hope all goes well.
Wow ! That's big, how long ago was this?
Mr Ed (The Stables)
Well-Known Member
I was diagnosed in 2018, and I got my letter through 3 weeks ago saying I was completely clear of cancer, and pre cancerous cells in my Esophagus.Wow ! That's big, how long ago was this?
I was offered an experimental treatment from the USA called "Radio Frequency Ablation" at the Royal Liverpool.
You are only supposed to get one or two sessions I had 14 but its saved my life.
The pre 2018 NHS Esophagus cancer survival rates are very grim indeed,
I'll be interested to see what they are when this new treatment is factored in. It's only in about 8 or 9 hospitals across the whole of the UK with three in London.
Without this new treatment I probably would have died about 2 or 3 years ago, it is an horrendous cancer to have and I count my blessings every single day, I am so lucky.
roy.or.r
Well-Known Member
Glad to hear you are doing well. Can I ask what kind of symptoms you had and how old you were when diagnosed?I was diagnosed in 2018, and I got my letter through 3 weeks ago saying I was completely clear of cancer, and pre cancerous cells in my Esophagus.
I was offered an experimental treatment from the USA called "Radio Frequency Ablation" at the Royal Liverpool.
You are only supposed to get one or two sessions I had 14 but its saved my life.
The pre 2018 NHS Esophagus cancer survival rates are very grim indeed,
I'll be interested to see what they are when this new treatment is factored in. It's only in about 8 or 9 hospitals across the whole of the UK with three in London.
Without this new treatment I probably would have died about 2 or 3 years ago, it is an horrendous cancer to have and I count my blessings every single day, I am so lucky.