EGD procedure worth the risks??

[mick1020]

I have been experiencing mild but fairly constant upper abdominal pain that seems to radiate to my neck and back. This has been going on for months with occasional periods where I don't really notice it, but then it comes back. My doctor did a full adominal scan and nothing really showed up.
I don't really like medication so I never took the Prilosec for the full time that he recommended. Now I am scheduled to have an esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD tomorrow and I am scared to death! I have read of people having pain and side effects after the procedure and I am beginning to regret not giving the Prilosec a try. Is this procedure worth the risks? I want answers, but I don't want to feel worse. Am I or my doctor missing some other things that could be done?

[ppga85]

Hi,

I understand how concerned you are about the EGD, but if your symptoms are bothering you more days than not, it's probably a good idea to go ahead and get the test done. I have had "stomach problems" since I was about 16 years old (I'm 26 now) and had my first EGD when I was 19. It started out as an "awake" procedure, but I had to be sedated because I was gagging on the tube, yet it wasn't painful and I didn't even realize I was gagging. I was diagnosed with GERD and put on a stronger, more effective medication for the acid reflux. As time went on, I stopped taking the medication regularly and it stopped working as well.

A few years ago, I ended up with terrible constant pain (similar to what you have described) so I had another EGD which showed esophagitis, gastritis, and duodenitis (I had severe inflammation in all areas an EGD examines, but no other test revealed). By that time I was inpatient for my "mysterious" pain, constant vomiting and dehydration. I was given anesthesia, didn't feel anything and woke up with mild throat irritation. That went away by the next day. I was put on a different medication, Protonix, which works wonders for me. I still have occasional pain from the gastritis, which is now considered chronic, but mild. I just had another EGD done late last year and was given Propofol, which is the preferred anesthetic of most doctors for gastroenterological testing procedures and I had no adverse reactions from either the test or the anesthesia. So, I would consider finding out what the problem is because, conditions sometimes show themselves in different ways on the exterior than on the interior. Also, being put on and taking the right medication, as prescribed, can save your organs from lasting damage and save money (fewer hospitalizations, less missed work, etc) in the long run.

Final thought- everyone reacts differently to medications and procedures, but more people have complications from the actual untreated medical condition than from the temporary anesthesia and medications used to treat the conditions. Good luck and I hope I was able to help.

[patient915]

Welcome to the gastroenterology community!  There are risks to this procedure but the risks are very rare.  You might have a sore throat for a couple days and you might have a mild reaction to the sedation they use but these aren't too bad.  However, I don't think it would be a bad idea to put off the EGD and get the prilosec a full try to see if that relieves your symptoms.

[Clysta]

I didn't think there was really any risks with an EGD at all. I just had one on Monday, and was wide awake the entire time. It wasn't terrible, and I had a very slight sore throat the rest of the day. Best thing to do is ignore google, and ignore what others say. Your different than everyone else, and it's the best way to see what's going on. If they find anything, then you can begin the medicines again, and this time you'll have to take it as directed, regardless of how much you hate medicines. Worse complications can come about by not properly taking care of your body.