Is This Necessary?

[mungufuata]

After nearly a month of severe abdominal (epigastric) pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, and vomiting blood, I finally saw the GI doctor yesterday.  He said he firmly believes it is an ulcer and started me on ulcer-relieving medications.  Then he said he wants to scope me on the 20th.  Is this really necessary?  How is a scope going to change the treatment at this point?  I can't really afford it - but will it harm anything if I skip it?

[CalGal]

Vomiting blood can be serious. Blood can come from not only the stomach but also from the esophagus and the reasons for the presence of that blood can be due to a number of different conditions. Each condition may have to be treated differently. You need to make sure where that blood is coming from - have the scope done.

[ayri]

hi, yes i believe the scope is necessary because ulcers can turn cancerous and your gi wants to make sure that this isnt the case, no amount of money is worth your health.