Having an EGD Friday, but not currently having symptoms.

[JCLingo]

Hi. I'm a 32/F.  I had my gallbladder removed 5/4 and continue to have problems, after being great for 4 to 5 weeks after surgery.  I rotate from being constipated to having diarrhea and from having really bad indigestion (burning in my chest) for a week or two and then nothing for a week or a few days. I finally saw the gastroenterolgist last week and he scheduled me for an Upper GI Endoscopy (EGD?) and then he wants to do the PH monitoring test.  My question is this.  This is one of the fortunate weeks where I'm not having that bad of problem/symptoms of indigestion (burning in chest).  Do I need to wait to have the Upper GI when I'm having the symptoms??  Or does it make a difference?  I'm not sure what is wrong with me and why I'm fine one week and horrible the next.  The Gastro. didn't elaborate on my condition, just that he wanted to do these tests.  Also, has anyone ever had either of these tests and how bad is it??  I'm more worried about the PH test than the upper GI Endo.  Thanks so much!!

[catwoman2965]

I don't have any experience with the PH test, but I had the EGD. It wasn't bad at all.  I had mine in a same day surgery facility, and my main concern was the anasthesia, but it was not as bad as I expected.  The worst for me was that the dr. was running late, so I had to wait for about an hour with my IV and everythinge else.  The anticipation was the worst thing about it!

Once they give youthe anasthesia, the next thing you know, you are waking up.  They don't put the tube into your stomach until you are out.  My test only took about 20 minutes, and i was a little groggy for about a half an hour (during which time they monitor you in the recovery room).  I went home and slept for a few hours, but no complications, no pain or anything.  I was just more tired than normal.  I guess it all depends on the person.  My mom had the same test, and was groggy from the anasthesia for a day or so.  Maybe age has something to do with that?  (I'm 36, she's 67).  Some people also experience a slight sore throat, but I did not.

It probably can't hurt to have it done, even though you are not currently experiencing symptoms. As far as whether it's better to have it done while experiencing symptoms or not, I don't know; your dr. or his nurse could probably tell you.

Good luck!

[DougPoison]

The EGD is very easy.  I just attempted a pH test, but I could not keep the tube down.  It was not painful, but it kept hitting my gag reflex.  The nurses told me that many people tolerate it just fine, and some others have problems.  Either way, it is not painful so you've got nothing to worry about.  The EGD will find plenty of information if you have problems with the pH test.  The pH is totally different from person to person.  I went into it being VERY fearful, but even though it didn't work, I shouldn't have worried about it cuz it wasn't as bad as I expected.  Good luck and God bless.