Gastroscopy - DONE!

Thanks for posting... I was just told today that they will definitely be doing a scope on me, as well as a "barium meal". Little nervous about both as I have already had surgery, therefore reduced capacity, less room for scope, etc. I can't begin to understand how I'm going to get 3 cups of barium down (3 is what they told me when I booked the appointment, and they have made note of "reduced capacity"...)

Dr Birch is doing the scope as he was my surgeon, so that's reassuring, as was your straightforward account of your experience.

Dawn

The barium test was icky.  You can do it though! I think I drank five cups by the time they were finished with me..., thank goodness it 'passes through' quickly. 

Best of luck on your scope!  I hope that you're doing ok! It really was no sweat...my throat is sore today and that's it!

Dreena

5 cups... ugh.
I'm testing right now, so that I can give an accurate account of my capacity tomorrow at the test.  150 mL is the "discomfort" point, and that's nowhere near 5 cups!  200-225 is very close to pain. I'm only at a about a cup of food per meal, and that's pushing it.

As for hair, PROTEIN.  Try not to stress, and remember that it should come back as your body adjusts to the new intake, and the stress of the surgery passes.  However, if like me it doesn't (just ask some of the girls that come to our monthly support meeting.... I'm likely not as bald as I feel, but have definete, visible hair loss.....) then don't let it define you. (Easier said than done lol)

I have been slowly losing my hair, more than normal. I have one more week to go and then I will be at 3 months out for my RNY. I know that I will lose my hair but I'm hoping it isn't extreme. But I guess all I can do is wait and see.

I'm praying I never need a scope. I don't know if I missed some pre-op stuff or not but this was never mentioned to me.
How many times will we see Dr. B too? I feel like a million bucks. ( other than the few tears I shed when trying to actually eat.) Its like I haven't had 3/4 of my stomach removed LOL
It's so weird how everyone recovers and heals hey?

The only reason I had to see Dr. Birch after my follow-up appointment was because I am having pain.  Otherwise, at my follow-up he said he didn't need to see me again unless there was a complication.

At my three month, Dr Birch told me he didn't need to see me again unless there was a problem.  Well, theres a problem, and that is the reason for the scope/barium meal.  I didn't have to do a scope or any type of barium study prior to surgery.

Just for the record, in case we have pre-surgery people reading (don't want to freak anyone out) prior to coming to Dr. Birch I was asked to exhaust all other options, especially since I do not have pain with eating, but rather pain all the time.  They fully expect my studies to come back normal, with my surgery not the cause of the issues.  Good news in that they have such confidence in their work, and my symptoms really "don't fit" a surgury related issue.... Bad news in that I've already seen a pulmonologist, neurologist, and cardiologist and don't know where to go from here.  To be honest, I'm hoping for them to find something, so it can be corrected and I can have my life back.... and I'm sure hubby agrees!

Dawn

Dawn, where is your pain?  My pain is just lower than my second incision on the right hand side.  Basically to the right of my belly button.  Corey and I both felt a lump there, but Dr. Birch's Fellow said that it didn't get worse with coughing or eating so basically to not worry and we'll wait and see how it feels when I go back in December.  Well, I do worry, I don't like feeling pain, I'm sure if he was feeling the pain he'd do something about it.

I'm seeking a second opinion from my family doctor, at least he'll do something about it if he feels it's something.

Jill

My pain is just to the left of the breast bone... basically right at the heart.  I had pulmonary emboli (blod clots in the lungs)  two years ago, and the pain is almost identical.  I have constant pain, that sharpens, usually for no apparent reason, although exercise has triggered it.  (think constant 2-4, going to 6-8 on scale of 10).  This all started end of March. I've been on pain killers since then.

I also started fainting at the same time, although the cardiologist has diagnosed that as neurocardiogenic syncope.  Ironically, I've likely always had that.  One of the treatments for NCS is to increase your water and salt intake.... well a year ago I was drinking 5+ litres of fluid a day, and lots of prepackaged preportioned preserved foods... so salt!  Now I'm lucky if I get over a litre of fluid, and salt consumption is way down.  Krista (my nut) and I had a hilarious conversation about increasing salt.. she kept saying "this is so wrong, I can't believe I'm saying this..."

So... the first thing they ruled out was more blood clots... last time I had clots in 75% of my lungs. No new clots, but as a result of the previous ones I now have what looks like ground up glass in my lungs - scar tissue from the clots.  Pulmonologist confirmed this and a lung infection, was told to come back in a month if things didn't improve, back in a month, no new answers, try someone else.

In the meantime we saw a neurologist (referral from hospital re: fainting)  who ruled out seizures.  He referred us to the cardiologist, who diagnosed the fainting.  Neither had anything further to offer.  My GP has sent me for a stress test (treadmill) and I've worn a heart monitor for several hours.  Heart is fine, lungs are scarred, but don't account for the pain.  Cardiologist suggests we examine the surgery.  Next!!

When I called the clinic to get appointment with Dr Birch, I got the machine and left a message that I had had surgery, was now having problems, and wanted to see him, got a call back that if there were problems I needed to see my family doctor, or go to ER.....!!   Got the same result next time I called... finally someone listened to what I was saying, and told me that I had to speak to a nurse to see if I "was allowed" to see Dr Birch...... not impressed!  They did call me back fairly quickly then with an appointment to see him though, and a few days later I had a call out of the blue .... evidently Dr Sharma wanted me to see an internist as well.  So, I saw Dr Robbins (who is very nice!) last week, she is wondering about a surgical ulcer and had put me on a high dose of pantaloc, and decided she wanted a scope done, preferably by Dr Birch as he was the surgeon, but she would do it if he was unavailable.  I saw one of Dr Birch's fellows (as per usual I have an appointment to see him, but see someone else...) this week, who added the barium meal, scope will be done by him or Dr Birch in the near future....

Barium is tomorrow, nervous about that due to capacity.  I've done barium studies before, but nothing since surgery, and I know 250 mL is the pain/vomit limit.  Dreena's account really helped to calm nerves about the scope.

And that's where I sit.  I can't drive because of the fainting/pain med combination.  Haven't worked since last Friday of March.  Missing my independence... hubby has to take me everywhere, missing having more than dust in my wallet.  I want my life back basically.....

Sorry about length....

Wow!  I'm sorry to hear that.  I really hope they discover what is wrong, at least that way you'll know and maybe be able to fix it.

I don't understand why the clinic would tell you that you'd have to go see your family Dr instead of Dr. Birch!  You'd think they'd want to see you and help in any way they can.

I wish you good luck with your tests!

Jill