Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

[Robyn]

...Say that one three times fast!  I had one yesterday--sort of the opposite of a colonoscopy--because I've been having problems w/ my esophagus all summer.  The primary dr. put me on acid reducers, but was very concerned that I might have esophageal cancer, and wanted me to get the 'scope done.  That has been weighing on me all summer long.  Thankfully I do NOT have cancer--hurray!! ;D  Altho there are still some biopsies to come back in a week or so, for other things.

But the other part is this--this scope was surprisingly easy!  The worst of it was getting the IV started (one stick, very easy)--after I was taken to the procedure room and hooked up to monitors, the nurse pushed in some really nice drugs (Versed and Fentanyl--good stuff!), and that was that, until I woke up in the recovery area.  So--if you keep putting off that colonoscopy b/c you are worried about discomfort, let me assure you that there is none.  Same procedure, just the opposite end of the body.  Fentanyl is a very powerful narcotic, and Versed is a sedative that has the happy side effect of short term amnesia (ie, you don't remember the tubes, if you happen to be awake at all).  And despite all the blood and guts I've seen working in the OR, I am the World's Biggest Wuss when it comes to being on the other side of the needle.  So if I can do it, YOU can do it! ;D

robyn

[Chip Donaho]

a colonoscopy--

My doc wanted me to have one of those. He setup an appointment and I cancelled it. Monday I have an appointment with him and know I'm going to get chewed out for not going. I've known him since school days and he knows me all too well. Oh well, wouldn't be the first time.  ;D

[Robyn]

You should get this done, Chip.  Right now I'm feeling really fortunate, b/c one of the biopsies came back showing that I have a pre-malignant condition called "Barrett's esophagus."  So I have to have one of these upper endoscopies every 2 years now to watch for changes in the cells there.
But if I hadn't had the minor symptoms that I had, gone to the dr, and if the dr. hadn't been so suspicious of my symptoms, this might not have been found until I developed full-blown esoph. cancer that had already migrated around. Scary thought.  If I do at some point develop esoph. cancer, it will be found early when it is treatable.  With the Barrett's esoph, generally people have heartburn pain for a long time. I never had any pain at all, but obviously had damage from it.

My dad had colon cancer that was caught very early and treated w/ radiation.  He is fine now, 12 years later--hasn't had any recurrence.

robyn

[NY Frank]

While I have No Courage about this stuff, I can vouch that, these days,
they do a great job with the meds in advance of a procedure.  I had two operations and a, um, cystoscopy last year that had me good and spooked.
But, in all 3 cases, I remember - nothing.  Except waking up when it's all over.

The worst part of all of these was - the Wait, after prepping.
Those last few minutes between changing/laying there and actually starting
to get knocked out - were mentally tough for me.  Definitely had thoughts of jumping off the table and bolting.   :)

[Robyn]

Actually Frank, I was remembering how panicked you were last year (and rightly so) at the thought of potentially having bladder cancer, and having to wait for weeks to get diagnosed. This has been weighing on me all summer long, altho after a couple months, I figured that since I wasn't worse, it probably wasn't cancer.  I didn't have to wait long betw. being admitted and having the drugs in--only about 10 min--but I also had some fleeting thoughts of just getting up and splitting. :(

robyn

[Chip Donaho]

a colonoscopy--

Robyn, I seen my doctor today and he didn't think I needed it as he mentioned before. For my age he thought I was in good health. He also thought that my playing drums may be what's helping me stay in good shape. But I'm still stuck with the leg brace and cane for walking. Oh well, at least I can still play.  8) 

[dizz]

Robyn, I seen my doctor today and he didn't think I needed it as he mentioned before. For my age he thought I was in good health. He also thought that my playing drums may be what's helping me stay in good shape. But I'm still stuck with the leg brace and cane for walking. Oh well, at least I can still play.  8) 

Im sure drumming is great for certain health concerns but I have wondered how it is on the ole prostate.  I've  never had any of these scope procedures however I think Im getting near the age where it's recommended.

[Larry Rankine]

Guys (and ladies) I STRONGLY recommend a colonoscopy procedure if you are in the "half century" category.  As a preventive procedure it has a near perfect record at eliminating the threat of colorectal cancer.  While it's certainly nothing I'd like to do on a regular basis the procedure itself is not that bad.  And considering the benefit, it's really a cake walk. 

[Mister Acrolite]

Guys (and ladies) I STRONGLY recommend a colonoscopy procedure if you are in the "half century" category.  As a preventive procedure it has a near perfect record at eliminating the threat of colorectal cancer.  While it's certainly nothing I'd like to do on a regular basis the procedure itself is not that bad.  And considering the benefit, it's really a cake walk. 

Yeah, it's really the night-before prep that's no fun. You sleep through the actual procedure, and the next day it's your belly that is sore, not your posterior.

[Dave Heim]

Yeah, it's really the night-before prep that's no fun. You sleep through the actual procedure, and the next day it's your belly that is sore, not your posterior.

Yep.  Nothing to it.

[Jon E]

I am Oscopyphobic.  ;)

In reality, I know it's about time for ME to get oscopied.

[Big Yummy]

Guys (and ladies) I STRONGLY recommend a colonoscopy procedure if you are in the "half century" category.  As a preventive procedure it has a near perfect record at eliminating the threat of colorectal cancer. 

Really?  That's not what I've been reading.  It's a good idea to get it done, but there's certainly no guarantee you won't get a false negative.

[Chip Donaho]

I have wondered how it is on the ole prostate.

That was one of the reasons I bought a Roc-N-Soc when they first came out. The old 3 legged stool just sits in the corner now. My doctor checked my records and I had that procedure done while I was in the hospital for my car accident. Since my father died from prostrate cancer he checked the results. Both my doctor and myself didn't even know it had been done. So I was very happy to find that good records were kept at that time. Boy, was I glad when I heard that. I'm thrilled that my doctor is a personal friend plus well educated. He keeps an eye on me, can't beat that. 8) But he frowned when he found out I started smoking again and gave me a speech about it. :-[

[Larry Rankine]

Really?  That's not what I've been reading.  It's a good idea to get it done, but there's certainly no guarantee you won't get a false negative.

There's never a guarantee about anything.  The point is those that go through the procedure are significantly less likely to get that type of cancer. 
That's what I've been told by my doctor and the Proctologist.  If you've read something that is contradictory to that please let us know.  Never hurts to double check things you've been told.   :)

And Chip, sounds like your MD has got you covered......and I share his opinion about your smoking...... ;)  but I won't give you a speech about it.   :D

[DR]

Guys (and ladies) I STRONGLY recommend a colonoscopy procedure if you are in the "half century" category.  As a preventive procedure it has a near perfect record at eliminating the threat of colorectal cancer.  While it's certainly nothing I'd like to do on a regular basis the procedure itself is not that bad.  And considering the benefit, it's really a cake walk. 

WebMD.com agrees with Larry:
"Keep in mind that the best way to prevent colon cancer is to keep active, eat a balanced diet, maintain your ideal body weight, and schedule polyp screenings regularly after age 50, or earlier if you have a family history of colon cancer."

[Robyn]

I am Oscopyphobic.  ;)

In reality, I know it's about time for ME to get oscopied.

I hear ya.  I'm thinking that maybe when it's time for the GI dr. to do the next upper endoscopy, he can roto-rooter the lower end too, while I'm out.  Wonder if he'd go for that.  ;D

I didn't think about the sitting part affecting the prostate gland. And it is prostate, not prostrate (that means to lie face down). Just a personal peeve of mine.  :)

robyn

[Chip Donaho]

I didn't think about the sitting part affecting the prostate gland. And it is prostate, not prostrate (that means to lie face down). Just a personal peeve of mine.  :)

Thanks Robyn, I knew about that spelling and did'nt think about it at the time. Knowing you, I can understand why it's a peeve of yours.  ;)

[smoggrocks]

wow, glad you're doing ok, rob. that kinda stuff is always scary. what kind of symptoms were you having? i always thought general heartburn was the tip-off. were you in pain at all?

i had 2 very unpleasant 'scopic' procedures. one was through the nose and down the throat to check for GERD. it was in-office, i was fully awake, the doctor was mean, and i didn't have the benefit of anaesthesia beyond a not-too-effective local. i have a deviated septum, so it really hurt getting that tube up, and i kept gagging as the tube went down. doc didn't care. just kept spraying me with more afrin and pushing harder. his aim was to pump me with prilosec.

then when i was like 22, i had some issues down yonder and had to have a buttscopopy PLUS 2 barium enemas. i was mortified. when i walked into the office, it was like walking into the geritol hour. everyone was an octogenarian and older. for the probe, i lay in the fetal position clutching the nurse's hand while the doc viewed my innards on a sony trinitron. i cried the whole time. the barium thing was no fun either. the prep involves drinking 2 bottles of magnesium citrate, which renders you incapable of leaving your home or laughing/coughing too loud.  :o then when you're empty, you go to the hospital and get pumped-up with ink so they can view your innards on tv again. no fun. my belly was sore.

these two experiences made me a devotee of a) fiber and b) stomach crunches. i really find that crunches aid one's entire digestive situ-ay.

glad to hear the procedures have evolved some  :)

[Robyn]

wow, glad you're doing ok, rob. that kinda stuff is always scary. what kind of symptoms were you having? i always thought general heartburn was the tip-off. were you in pain at all?

i had 2 very unpleasant 'scopic' procedures. one was through the nose and down the throat to check for GERD. it was in-office, i was fully awake, the doctor was mean, and i didn't have the benefit of anaesthesia beyond a not-too-effective local. i have a deviated septum, so it really hurt getting that tube up, and i kept gagging as the tube went down. doc didn't care. just kept spraying me with more afrin and pushing harder. his aim was to pump me with prilosec.

then when i was like 22, i had some issues down yonder and had to have a buttscopopy PLUS 2 barium enemas. i was mortified. when i walked into the office, it was like walking into the geritol hour. everyone was an octogenarian and older. for the probe, i lay in the fetal position clutching the nurse's hand while the doc viewed my innards on a sony trinitron. i cried the whole time. the barium thing was no fun either. the prep involves drinking 2 bottles of magnesium citrate, which renders you incapable of leaving your home or laughing/coughing too loud.  :o then when you're empty, you go to the hospital and get pumped-up with ink so they can view your innards on tv again. no fun. my belly was sore.

these two experiences made me a devotee of a) fiber and b) stomach crunches. i really find that crunches aid one's entire digestive situ-ay.

glad to hear the procedures have evolved some  :)

Gah! What kind of asshat barbarian "doctors" do they have in NYC?!  No, this was very kind.  The scope showed that I have GERD (that's gastroesophageal reflux disease) plus the Barrett's, which is basically caused by chronic GERD.  No, I didn't have any symptoms at all, over the years. What sent me to my family dr. in May was that I started having this feeling like something was in my esophagus, near the bottom of it, on the right side. Very specific.  My dr. made a face when I told him that, and I immediately panicked inside, b/c I knew he was thinking about esophageal cancer. I have been taking the bone builder Fosamax for the last 12 yrs or so, and early this year a report was published linking Fosamax use to esophageal CA. So naturally I was pretty scared.  He put me on Protonix and then sent me to a GI specialist in July, had the scope in mid Aug.

This scope was at the GI dr's office--they have an endoscopy clinic there. Ten minutes after I hit the door I was in the procedure room ready to go to sleep.  And I don't remember anything.  That's definitely the way I like medical procedures to be!  I talked w/ the dr afterwards; he said no evidence of cancer, altho the biopsy results later showed the Barretts.  He said that the Fosamax almost definitely caused the Barrett's condition.  :(

robyn

[Chip Donaho]

Wow, I've got to check this out. I'm pretty sure my doctor has me on Fosamax.  :o  
Thanks for the info Robyn, you're a good friend to many musicians who now know about this.  ;)