Aa
stomach pain
i feel satiated with food,stomah pain and back pain the dr. has asked to undergo endoscopy. i am scared endoscopy coz i am already on lorazepam and antidepressant. i heard people suffer more from the procedure and memory loss can hapen. please enlighten
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thanks for kind words,well u see people at home say go for the interview u may imagining all aches and pains so i went for the job and got it but i don't know if i have the ability to perform it coz the offer letter says if i fail in any tests they will terminate me. besides i may be having multiple health probs. so i will go along see how it works out. thanks again
I know you need and want the job, but honestly, if it were me, I'd go to the gastro appointment before goign to the interview. You're better off getting treated for your pain and stuff BEFORE you take on a new job, as it's often difficult to get time off from a new job either because you are ill or for doctor's appointments. You're better off getting well and then searchign for a new job.
Just my opinion....
Just my opinion....
well thanx again. i have gastro doc appt. and a job interview tomorrow and everyone is saying go for the job interview. if i miss doc's appt. i can only get for 16th july. i have upped AD by quarter to ease my back and stomach pain for tommorrow's interview. i don't know about tomorrow let us see
thanx
thanx
I'm sorry I can't provide much information regarding the use of sleep aids for that long term. I know the docs typically don't like to prescribe them on a long term basis - at least some of the types of them anyway. I take Ambien (zolpidem) nightly and have been taking it for about 5 or 6 years. Ambien comes in three strenghts - 5mg, 10mg and a controlled release formula that is 12.5. I was taking the controlled released one (12.5) for a while until my insurance decided it was no longer going to cover that one (because that was the only strength that a generic form hadn't come out for), so my doc had to switch me to the 10mg that does have a generic form available for.
I think most of the time docs would rather try and search for a specific reason for someone having difficulty sleeping rather than prescribe long term sleep aids. that makes sense - I mean, if someone is having trouble sleeping because they have sleep apnea, giving them a sleep aid is not going to solve the initial problem that is causing them to not be able to sleep, and in fact, giving them a sleep aid, may make things worse because with teh sleep aid, they may get into a deeper sleep state and have more problems with the sleep apnea. However, many, many times, a "cause" for the difficulty sleeping can't be found and therefore, the sleep aids are a necessity. In my case, I have several chronic pain issues, including fibromyalgia, and one of the main symptoms of fibro is difficulty sleeping. 99% of the time, it is my pain that keeps me from being able to sleep and even when I am able to get to sleep, I have a really hard time staying asleep because of it. On a "good" night, even with the Ambien, I usually get only 4-5 hours of sleep and even with that, I'm usually up at least half a dozen times during the night. However, without the Ambien, I wouldn't get ANY sleep at all, so for me, like you, it is a necessity to take it. In fact, most sleep aids are prescribed to be taken at bedtime IF needed. My prescription is to take it at bedtime EVERY night.
The dose of your lorazepam is a low dose. If it's helping you and you're not finding that you're having any after effects from it such as next day sleepiness, forgetfulness, etc., then I wouldn't worry too much about having taken it for so long. However, I would also say that if your docs haven't looked into another possible cause for your difficulty sleeping, I would request that they do so.
Along those same lines, if you're finding that your current dose isn't helping as much as it used to, I would talk to your docs about the possiblity of either increasing your dosage or changing it to something else. As with any medication that is taken long term, our bodies can "get used to it" after a while and it may not work as efficiently as it did before, so doses sometimes have to be adjusted.
I hope my answer helped at least a little. Have you made the appointment for the endoscopy yet?
I think most of the time docs would rather try and search for a specific reason for someone having difficulty sleeping rather than prescribe long term sleep aids. that makes sense - I mean, if someone is having trouble sleeping because they have sleep apnea, giving them a sleep aid is not going to solve the initial problem that is causing them to not be able to sleep, and in fact, giving them a sleep aid, may make things worse because with teh sleep aid, they may get into a deeper sleep state and have more problems with the sleep apnea. However, many, many times, a "cause" for the difficulty sleeping can't be found and therefore, the sleep aids are a necessity. In my case, I have several chronic pain issues, including fibromyalgia, and one of the main symptoms of fibro is difficulty sleeping. 99% of the time, it is my pain that keeps me from being able to sleep and even when I am able to get to sleep, I have a really hard time staying asleep because of it. On a "good" night, even with the Ambien, I usually get only 4-5 hours of sleep and even with that, I'm usually up at least half a dozen times during the night. However, without the Ambien, I wouldn't get ANY sleep at all, so for me, like you, it is a necessity to take it. In fact, most sleep aids are prescribed to be taken at bedtime IF needed. My prescription is to take it at bedtime EVERY night.
The dose of your lorazepam is a low dose. If it's helping you and you're not finding that you're having any after effects from it such as next day sleepiness, forgetfulness, etc., then I wouldn't worry too much about having taken it for so long. However, I would also say that if your docs haven't looked into another possible cause for your difficulty sleeping, I would request that they do so.
Along those same lines, if you're finding that your current dose isn't helping as much as it used to, I would talk to your docs about the possiblity of either increasing your dosage or changing it to something else. As with any medication that is taken long term, our bodies can "get used to it" after a while and it may not work as efficiently as it did before, so doses sometimes have to be adjusted.
I hope my answer helped at least a little. Have you made the appointment for the endoscopy yet?
thanx again i have read long term use of sleep meds especially masks other illnesses. i would like to ask whether upto 1 mg of lorazepam for 25/30 years can mask other illnesses. when i asked my psychiatrist about the dosage he says the doeses are low and it is necessity for you. can you throw some light on it
You're more than welcome - I hope some of the information I was able to provide has made you a little more comfortable with the procedure.
I'm here any time you need or want to talk about anything.
I'm here any time you need or want to talk about anything.
I'm sorry to hear of all your medical issues, as well as your living situation. you certainly do have a lot going on in your life right now - stress can most certainly make you feel worse when you're not already feeling well anyway.
Although I'm not a doctor, I still think that the endoscopy would be a good idea to have done. It may be able to tell you the exact cause of your stomach pain, chest burning, etc., so that you can be treated properly - treat the CAUSE of the troubles rather than just treating the symptoms.
Again, I'm no doctor, but unless there were severe unforeseen complications with the procedure, any side effects such as nausea, throat pain - of the endoscopy itself should go away after a short time. Of course, having the endoscopy itself done, will not "cure" the problems you're having right now, but it will help the doctors know what it is that is causing those problems so they can then treat it appropriately. in other words, just by having the endoscopy done, won't cure the pain you've been having, but it will help your doctors diagnose what is causing it so then they can give youa treatment that will help cure it.
I hope things get better for you, both physically and with your situation at home.
Although I'm not a doctor, I still think that the endoscopy would be a good idea to have done. It may be able to tell you the exact cause of your stomach pain, chest burning, etc., so that you can be treated properly - treat the CAUSE of the troubles rather than just treating the symptoms.
Again, I'm no doctor, but unless there were severe unforeseen complications with the procedure, any side effects such as nausea, throat pain - of the endoscopy itself should go away after a short time. Of course, having the endoscopy itself done, will not "cure" the problems you're having right now, but it will help the doctors know what it is that is causing those problems so they can then treat it appropriately. in other words, just by having the endoscopy done, won't cure the pain you've been having, but it will help your doctors diagnose what is causing it so then they can give youa treatment that will help cure it.
I hope things get better for you, both physically and with your situation at home.
does endoscopy throat pain, nausea and other after effects ever go away. i am asking this coz i already have burning throat and other problems and woes. is endoscopy advisable.
many thanks for your response. i have in and out of doctors clinic for a long time now. i am on antidepressant and lorazepam (sleep med)so i eat till i drop of to sleep and my family facilitates my eating by bringing injunk food all late night. i don't live in US. i have tea with milk and sugar many times a day.i also take rabeprezole(i think it is PPI) when chest pain burning throat occur. beside i take bp med telmisartan 40mg and constantly drink water. i live ina small room, my family (besides mother sister and niece living with me) consists of other sisters, youngest one whose daughter is living with us is of questionable character and other sisters c ome every day to my house but don't talk to me. i think they are trying to poison me. my room/cupboard doesn't have lock. being the oldest of 8 siblings i worked all my life for betterment of my family. since i had a flat in my name and my mother sisters are after it. my mother is also with them. it is causing me great deal of distress. they are more kind to the their dogs than me. i am unemployed. i have no friends my family was everything to me. iused to do 2 jobs a day. my eye pressure is also borderline.
As with any procedure or surgery, there are risks. Perforation of the stomach or esophagus is a risk of an endoscopy, but a VERY SMALL risk. If you need the procedure done in order to be able to get a diagnosis of what is wrong so that you can receive the appropriate treatment, this very small risk is something that shouldn't keep you from having it done. I can understand your fears and hesitation, however.
Have you had any other, less invasive testing done yet? Such as a CT scan, MRI, ultrasound? If you haven't, ask your doctor if he/she would be willing to start with these types of tests and see if they might show what's going on without having to do the endoscopy.
You say you don't feel like you can trust anyone where you live - can you possibly get to another city or town that may have a larger, better hospital (best bet would be a teaching hospital) - someplace where you feel safer and feel like you can trust people, especially your doctors.? Do you live in the US?
I forgot also to ask what type of doctor you've been seeing for your symptoms - is it just a general practitioner or is it a gastroenterologist? If you're not currently seeing a GI doc, I strongly suggest that you do see one - BEFORE you would even consider having the endoscopy done. A GI doc should be the one that would do that on you and they have much more experience in dealing with the types of symptoms you're having.
As far as the burning feeling in your throat - it does sound like acid reflux/GERD. One of the things you can do for it is what you'fe already tried - elevating the head of your bed. When you raised the head of your bed - did you use something to elevate the legs on your bed or were you just using extra pillows to elevate yourself at the head of the bed?
Have you ever tried a type of medication calld a PPI (proton pump inhibitor)? It's a type of medicatoin that helps reduce the amount of acid that your stomach is producing. There are a couple of them that are available without a prescription, however, before trying ANY new medication - over the counter or prescription - you MUST first talk to your doctor and ask him/her if it's safe to take it with your current meds and medical conditions. If you're unable to reach your doctor or talk to him/her about this - your local pharmacist would also be a good source of that type of information.
some other, non-medicinal "tricks" you can try to help reduce or alleviate the burning throat is:
a) avoid caffeine
b) avoid spicy foods
c) don't lay down until at least 3 hours after you've eaten
d) eat several smaller meals during the day rather than 3 larger meals
e) cut down or elminate carbonated beverages (even non-caffeinated ones)
f) alcohol consumption can aggravate your symptoms because teh burning feeling is caused by stomach acid coming back up into the esophagus - alcohol relaxes the muscles between the stomach and esophagus, which can make this problem worse, so if you drink alcoholic beverages, try to greatly reduce, if not completely eliminate them.
I hope some of these suggestions help.
Have you had any other, less invasive testing done yet? Such as a CT scan, MRI, ultrasound? If you haven't, ask your doctor if he/she would be willing to start with these types of tests and see if they might show what's going on without having to do the endoscopy.
You say you don't feel like you can trust anyone where you live - can you possibly get to another city or town that may have a larger, better hospital (best bet would be a teaching hospital) - someplace where you feel safer and feel like you can trust people, especially your doctors.? Do you live in the US?
I forgot also to ask what type of doctor you've been seeing for your symptoms - is it just a general practitioner or is it a gastroenterologist? If you're not currently seeing a GI doc, I strongly suggest that you do see one - BEFORE you would even consider having the endoscopy done. A GI doc should be the one that would do that on you and they have much more experience in dealing with the types of symptoms you're having.
As far as the burning feeling in your throat - it does sound like acid reflux/GERD. One of the things you can do for it is what you'fe already tried - elevating the head of your bed. When you raised the head of your bed - did you use something to elevate the legs on your bed or were you just using extra pillows to elevate yourself at the head of the bed?
Have you ever tried a type of medication calld a PPI (proton pump inhibitor)? It's a type of medicatoin that helps reduce the amount of acid that your stomach is producing. There are a couple of them that are available without a prescription, however, before trying ANY new medication - over the counter or prescription - you MUST first talk to your doctor and ask him/her if it's safe to take it with your current meds and medical conditions. If you're unable to reach your doctor or talk to him/her about this - your local pharmacist would also be a good source of that type of information.
some other, non-medicinal "tricks" you can try to help reduce or alleviate the burning throat is:
a) avoid caffeine
b) avoid spicy foods
c) don't lay down until at least 3 hours after you've eaten
d) eat several smaller meals during the day rather than 3 larger meals
e) cut down or elminate carbonated beverages (even non-caffeinated ones)
f) alcohol consumption can aggravate your symptoms because teh burning feeling is caused by stomach acid coming back up into the esophagus - alcohol relaxes the muscles between the stomach and esophagus, which can make this problem worse, so if you drink alcoholic beverages, try to greatly reduce, if not completely eliminate them.
I hope some of these suggestions help.
in the continuation to the above i have read endoscopy causes perforation i.e.hole in the stomach for which surgery is required afterwards. i also throat burning for which i tried elevation of bed on the headside but then i had low back pain afterwards. so i removed the elevation. pls help
mank thanks for your encouragement and i know what you suggestede sound the right thing to do but i am not upto it and want to wait till it gets real bad coz of my lonliness, lack of support also the place where i am in where i can't trust anyone. i have been to doctors all life and they just prescribed pills for everything without giving right info. that has me addicted to meds. besides i am blood pressure meds as well coz high bp. my life has been on hold since my birth it looks like its going end just like that. this is how i feel.
It's very normal and common to be scared of a procedure that you've not gone through before, but quite honestly, the endoscopies that I've had (I've had several) have been the EASIEST procedures that I've gone through. You will always hear about the bad experiences that people have with any procedure. The only "side effect" that I've ever had following one has been a bit of gas and a little bit of a sore throat (they do use a numbing spray in your throat, but it can still be a little sore afterward). One time during an endoscopy, I had a boipsy taken and that did cause a bit of pain afterward, but it was not very severe and lasted only about a day.
So long as you're sure to make your doctor aware of any and all medications you take - AND follow any instructions they give you as far as needing to stop them for a period of time before (and sometimes after) the procedure, you should be fine.
Obviously, I can't tell you what to do (and wouldn't do that anyway), however, if it were me, I'd much rather have the procedure done, find out what is wrong and then deal with whatever it was. It could be absolutely NOTHING, could be something very SiMPLE, or yes, it could be something serious (although the chances of that are slimmer than the other two). For me, the not knowing what was wrong would be worse than the actual finding out - even if it was something bad. At least if I know what the problem is, I can deal with it and know what I'm up against - if I'm fighting an unknown enemy/problem, my mind tends to go crazy and I think all kinds of strange and scary thoughts - making it worse than it actually could/should be.
Even if it did turn out to be pancreatic cancer like you're afraid of, there ARE now many places that have had success with treatments of this that type of cancer. It doesn't necessarily have to be a death sentence. Of course, it depends too, on exact type of cancer, how advanced, etc. - but even if it was that, you don't have to just "suffer and die".
Have you discussed your fears with your doctor? If not, I think you should - they can be very helpful with these types of fears. They can give you more ideas on what THEY think the problem is, what they are looking for, exactly what they plan on doing during the procedure (of coure those plans could change once they get the camera down there so don't hold them to those exact plans), any side effects/after effects that you should/could expect to experience, your options for sedation/pain control, etc.
Honestly, I would get the procedure done - it more than likely will set your mind at ease. As I said, though, just be sure to tell your doctor EVERYTHING that you are taking - even some simple over the counter meds and supplements can interfere with other medications, so it's important to not leave anything out when you're telling the doc them. I always find it easier to write these things down before I go for my appointment with the doc as I tend to get nervous ina doctor's office and forget things that I wanted to mention or ask. So you may want to make a list of your medications, doses, etc., as well as any specific questions you may want to ask him/her.
Please keep us posted on how you're doing and if there's anything else I can help answer.
So long as you're sure to make your doctor aware of any and all medications you take - AND follow any instructions they give you as far as needing to stop them for a period of time before (and sometimes after) the procedure, you should be fine.
Obviously, I can't tell you what to do (and wouldn't do that anyway), however, if it were me, I'd much rather have the procedure done, find out what is wrong and then deal with whatever it was. It could be absolutely NOTHING, could be something very SiMPLE, or yes, it could be something serious (although the chances of that are slimmer than the other two). For me, the not knowing what was wrong would be worse than the actual finding out - even if it was something bad. At least if I know what the problem is, I can deal with it and know what I'm up against - if I'm fighting an unknown enemy/problem, my mind tends to go crazy and I think all kinds of strange and scary thoughts - making it worse than it actually could/should be.
Even if it did turn out to be pancreatic cancer like you're afraid of, there ARE now many places that have had success with treatments of this that type of cancer. It doesn't necessarily have to be a death sentence. Of course, it depends too, on exact type of cancer, how advanced, etc. - but even if it was that, you don't have to just "suffer and die".
Have you discussed your fears with your doctor? If not, I think you should - they can be very helpful with these types of fears. They can give you more ideas on what THEY think the problem is, what they are looking for, exactly what they plan on doing during the procedure (of coure those plans could change once they get the camera down there so don't hold them to those exact plans), any side effects/after effects that you should/could expect to experience, your options for sedation/pain control, etc.
Honestly, I would get the procedure done - it more than likely will set your mind at ease. As I said, though, just be sure to tell your doctor EVERYTHING that you are taking - even some simple over the counter meds and supplements can interfere with other medications, so it's important to not leave anything out when you're telling the doc them. I always find it easier to write these things down before I go for my appointment with the doc as I tend to get nervous ina doctor's office and forget things that I wanted to mention or ask. So you may want to make a list of your medications, doses, etc., as well as any specific questions you may want to ask him/her.
Please keep us posted on how you're doing and if there's anything else I can help answer.
i am scared of endoscopy coz i read the people have more problems after the procedure than before it. i am lonely and been an emotional eater from childhood being subject to abuse not to mention the age i.e.53 years.besides taking sleep meds from a young age later antidepressants were added. i was am fond of sweets and refined food from childhood. i take rabeprezol for burning chest.all this points to pancreati cancer. my mother and sister says it is better to suffer and die. don't spend money. pls help
endoscopy is a camera down the throat,
its uncomfortable and makes you wretch but it doesnt hurt
you can opt for sedation or no sedation
the sedation doesnt send you to sleep (wel it did nothing for me) just relaxes you a bit
be sure to tell the doctor who speaks to you before the procedure the medications you are on or phone the department asap to discuss if you medication is ok to take before hand..
hope this helps
its uncomfortable and makes you wretch but it doesnt hurt
you can opt for sedation or no sedation
the sedation doesnt send you to sleep (wel it did nothing for me) just relaxes you a bit
be sure to tell the doctor who speaks to you before the procedure the medications you are on or phone the department asap to discuss if you medication is ok to take before hand..
hope this helps
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DEFINITELY make sure you tell not only your doctor, but also the anesthesiologist about any and all medications you are taking, including over the counter meds and supplements. You need to discuss these with them BEFORE the procedure date in case they need you to stop any of them for a period of time beforehand.
Even though with the sedation you are not "completely" out and typically not needing a breathing tube, they DO have all that equipment on hand in case of emergency, so if there happened to be a problem either as a result of your medications or something else, they are equipped to handle it.