Medical People...Endoscopy in the ER?

Is endoscopy something they offer on an emergency basis? My ins isn't good until next month and my pain is getting worse. I am thinking of going to the ER ASAP, but I don't want to just leave with a prescription--the PPI's I am taking aren't working so far.

It started on Sunday and has gotten steadily worse. I can't sleep tonight and I am usually a very sound sleeper.

I've never seen an endoscopy done in the ER. You need a specialist,a gastroenterologist to do it.

Initially they put in a NG tube, If that doesn't help. then they usually have to call a doctor in to do the  Endoscope. I have had to have this done after going into the emergency room. I had what they call a Beazor. It was a blockage in the outlet of my pouch. It was excruciating pain.  I will let you know that it took two trips to the ER and a demand that they get a doctor there that knows how to take care of me . Good Luck.

Endoscopy in the Emergency Department is usually reserved for bleeding from the upper GI tract, foreign bodies that are stuck in the throat/stomach, or other immediately life threatening events with the stomach and esophagus....Not meant to downplay your pain...it's just what the GI doctor and/or surgeons will come to ER for. I am sure, on a case by case basis it has been done before for other things. If the ER physician has access to your surgeon or a gastroenterologist that would come in and do it there then that is great.
The role of the ER doc is to treat and stabilize life threatening events first, and arrange for definitive therapy either admitted to the hospital or as an outpatient. There is a wide variety of things we can do, but endoscopies are not one of them (although I would be game!) Unfortunately the specialist on-call for any given specialty may not come in if the case is not immediately life threatening, and therefore one would have to settle for medications and/or admit to hospital. Fortunately, treating your pain should be a top priority.

If you are in significant pain, or you just don't feel right about your pain, it is always better to have it evaluated. Best thing is to call your doc/office and see if they rec going to ER. If no doc then listen to your body.

CG
emergency medicine resident - future WLS patient

Well the pain may be due to the band eroding into my stomach--(foreign object?) and my surgeon does operate out of this hospital and has his office there.

But you're right I don't want to waste time just getting a script or regular xray that will not show the right images.

They scoped my Mom in the ER but she had a piece of chicken stuck
Val

Hi Julie - I didn't realize you'd been having a problem. What kind of pain are we talking about?

Most erosions from what I have heard are pain free - because it happens so slowly you're not even aware. The first symptom is a sudden loss or increase in restriction. If its reflux there could be many reasons for it - was there an event that started this pain? Stuck food or pills? Have you been sick lately. If its only at night do you wait two hours after eating before laying down? Elevate the head of your bed. Drink water to clean out the top stomach before laying down. Avoid trigger foods (Spicy/caffeine)? This may not solve the problem but it may alleviate it until you can get to your doctor.

I hope you find some relief and answers!
Good luck.

The only time we have done endoscopy in the ER is if there were no inpatient beds in the hospital, and the GI doc would bring his equipment and team to the ER