It does sound uncomfortable, and I can relate because last summer I had lots of tests and two surgeries but I have been cancer free for a year. I guess one way to look at it is that we are so fortunate to have medical facilities nearby that can treat us and it gives us compassion for those around us who have suffered. When this is all over, be sure to treat yourself to some reward for getting though this, and best of luck to you.

Oh my gosh. My sympathies! Hope all the testing gives a positive result.

Why didn't they just do an endoscopy and view the entire esophagus? I had severe GERD with high grade erosions, which qualified me to be in drug study test groups for the original tests for prevacid and prilosec. I had to have multiple endoscopies with lots of videos and pictures, Never had the type of tests you went through. I have had nasal numbing and scopes for viewing my vocal cords when I lost my voice due to Advair. It was very uncomfortable.

Sounds awful!!! Has anyone ever suggested bed risers for the front of your bed? I have GERD (fortunately it's mild right now and am not on medication). Just discussed it last week with PC doc and she recommended the risers. They go under the front legs of the bed so you are sleeping with the upper part of your body elevated. She said it's more effective than a wedge or two pillows. I just ordered them from Amazon so I cannot vouch for them personally but those who have them gave great reviews about the relief they've received..........side benefit, it helped some people's snoring, too.

Sounds awful! Hope you never have to go through this again. Big hugs to you. Wonder if the doctor knows his nurse is not very skilled?

That sounds horrible. I hope tomorrow is a better day.

I sympathize. I once had a nasogastric tube which was very, very uncomfortable. They took it out at about 1 a.m. and I was so happy I called my husband from the hospital; he just didn’t understand why I was calling him in the middle of the night. I hope your doctors learn something useful from these obnoxious tests.

Sounds extremely uncomfortable. Just to have to think about getting a sweater off, yeesh!

Awful! Just awful! May I ask what this is in aid of? What will the results lead to in the way of help?

I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I sincerely hope this is a means to helping you in the long run.

I can't even imagine what you went through. I've always told my doctors that they must knock me out if they are going to put anything down my nose or throat and I do "not" want to wake up until they are removed. I could never tolerate what you just went through.

OUCH! had unfortunate hospital stay right around this time last year for a stomach bleed. that tube going down throat thru you NOSE is rather unpleasant. had to have endoscopy. doctor explained procedure and it was a snap... under "twilight sleep" and remembering nothing. he said he could take tube out of nose BEFORE, but i asked him to wait till i was in LA LA land. only ill effects I had was sore throat for a few days... from trying to involuntarily swallow that tube away.

After all of this, I hope they find ways to make you more comfortable.

I think the worst part is not knowing how long something will take. They should talk you through each of the steps. Only a few seconds here, a minute there etc.

Sorry you're dealing with this, but at least it's for one night, and I hope the tests find out what you need to know. Hang tough!

I am cringing just reading your description. You should feel sorry, that's awful!

We have a friend who had severe complications to a bad gall bladder. He was in the hospital for 5 weeks, and was intubated for feeding several times. He said that was the worst procedure of the entire stay!

Thanks for your sympathy! I'm really not usually a wuss about things, but this is just very uncomfortable. I'm counting the hours until 10AM tomorrow when the danged thing comes out. I detest having tubes hanging off me - my biggest problem with the oxygen. When the nurse was trying to get my cannula on, I growled, "Hey, let's just add a catheter and an IV line as well!"

The med I take for my GERD is the "gold standard" - Dexilant. I take the max dose - twice daily. It has the acid part well controlled. It's the reflux that's the problem - it's "silent" - most of the time I'm unaware of it happening. The problem is I aspirate it and that worsens my pulmonary problems. GERD and asthma and all other pulmonary problems go hand in hand. If this stuff gets in my lungs, then I get infected - even an aspirated pneumonia. The reflux is caused by a hiatal hernia.

it used to be that the only way to "fix" a hiatal hernia was a surgery called a fundo pundoplication. This is a big deal - often one is permanently on a liquid or soft food diet, and it's impossible to vomit - must go to ER and have a tube put down. Not doing that! There are a few new techniques that don't have the same drastic consequences but they are very case-specific. That's why the doctor needs to know when exactly this is happening and under what circumstances. BTW, not his nurse - one at the endoscopy dept at the hospital -only hospital in town with this very sophisticated equipment. She's very pleasant but I don't think very well trained and not very bright. I will be telling him!

The other test I had in the past (and was mentioned by a poster) was to check the entire esophagus for Barretes Esophagus, which can be a precursor to esophageal cancer. These two tests are to see if we can find a way to stop the reflux for the sake of my lungs.

I'm really a pretty healthy woman otherwise. No Type2 diabetes, no high blood pressure or high cholesterol, no heart problems, no joints that need replacing! If we can stop the constant infections in my lungs caused by reflux, I might get back to where I was - a very active person. That's my dream!

Ugh that sounds awful. Good idea up-thread (ilovecomputers's post) about treating yourself to something special after this -- you are earning it!

Oh! I re-read my post - I didn't mean a POSITIVE result for illness! I meant GOOD test results. yeesh.

so awful!! 10am can't come fast enough, i'm sure :( hope all goes well with removal. plan on resting the rest of the day. i am sure sleeping will be tough tonite...

You're not complaining at all. It sounds pretty awful. Hope the night goes by fast and you get good results.

I'm so sorry your going through this. "I feel sorry for you".

Yikes! I wish there was something I could do for you... but alas, I don't even know where you are.... I am crossing my fingers, you can get some rest tonight, and the end result will be worth all this trouble.

Moni

That sounds awful. I am so sorry you are having to go through this. Honestly, I don't think I could handle that at all. I had a test awhile back to see if I had the flu...which I didn't and they put a q tip up my nose and that was just about more than I could handle. I probably wouldn't let them test me for it again. Hope you never have to go through that again. I am also cringing, thinking of it.

Anglo, geesh you are one very strong woman. You have really been thru rough times with your conditions. I'm a big baby I don't think...no I know I couldn't have gone thru this without the doctors inducing coma. I really hope this can lead to better treatment options for you.

My Chip will be going thru some endoscopy studies probably after the holidays. He has a Submucous cleft palate...we need to know if there is a link between this and his acute asthma. If I agree to have these tests done at Pittsburgh Children's hospital there will be no fee involved as its part of a study being done on Children's Asthma. The program will also pay for a hotel room and meals....I have a call into a Pulmonologist in Kansas City who used to treat Chip, I want to pick his brain what he thinks about me agreeing to this.

Anyway Anglo...I know your going to have a uncomfortable night, but please try and relax. I don't suppose you can take a mild sleep aid with your lung issues??

mama, thanks for your sympathy. Your description of Chip and his health issues put a quick end to my "pity party". My discomfort will be over in 12-14 hours; he has to live with this and with surgery etc. How wonderful Pittsburgh Children's will be treating him at no cost!

I didn't realize you once lived in Kansas City! I was born there in 1943!

I hate to tell you this, but I had to go off Dexilant because it was causing my bones to deteriorate. Are you on calcium? Has your doc done a bone scan?

I am so sorry for all you had to go through to get these tests done! What a pain! You have every right to vent here and to complain about the ill-trained nurse who administered, or rather tried to administer, the procedure. She apparently wasn’t listening to you and completely ignored both your discomfort and your polyp situation. I hope you at least will get the test results desired after all you’ve been through so you can get more effective treatment.

I just feel so bad for you,Anglo.....hopefully,by now,you are sleeping and it will soon all be over with...sending gentle long distance ((((hugs))))

Jeanne, I'm aware of the risk. I do have osteoporosis but have not had any problems. Drugs are always a trade off.

I hope you had a decent night's sleep, and have a better day today.

I am sorry you have to go thru this. Sounds very uncomfortable. Hope you get good results. Come on 10, hurry up & get here!

It's OUT!!! Not a good night - very uncomfortable. Now to see if it has told us anything when I see the doctor next week.

OMG. Now the wait is on. But I'm glad its out. I bet your nose and throat are sore...baby them a few days although I have no idea how to baby a nose.. LOL. Your in my Prayers Anglo.

Anglophilia....I have had some of these tests....I had an active Barrett's Esophagus...pre-cancerous. In July, I had LES, Nissan Fundiplication...true, I had to drink/eat liquids and protein drinks for three weeks, then added mashed potatoes, and soft scrambled eggs, etc. But in 6 weeks, I was healed and eating anything I wanted ..no more GERD...so to me it was well worth it...and good to not always worrying about if Barrett's was cancerous. My hernia was fixed at the same time. Good luck...and I can burp.

Ah, well worth the tests. Hope you are 'repairable'. We'll be watching to see results when you get them.

Sorry you had to go through all that. I sure couldn't tolerate it unless they put me out. I'm very squeamish and wriggly.

I've had two or three endoscopy's but nothing like what you've described and I was out for all of them. Didn't remember a thing. It doesn't sound like the tech knew what she was doing. That would cause added anxiety about the whole thing. I wonder if you were her first?

Take care, and I hope you get a good report.

Tikes! Maybe after these tests are done, you can have some ice cream. Hey - you can dream, ok.

That sounds awful. Hope you are feeling better now that the dratted thing is out and that your test results give your doctor the guidance he needs to provide the best possible treatment for you. Hang in there!

Oh, anglo, I am so sorry you had to go through that horrible test at the hands of an incompetent nincompoop! I hope you get useful information that will make your life easier soon. I cannot imagine how frustrating it must be to not be able to do all the things you want to do for a person who has as much energy and drive as you have.

I'll see rage doctor Tues and see if he has any solutions.

Anglophilia, you have struck me as a strong, sensible person. Going through tests, especially the difficult and painful ones as you have done, sleeping as you did with the tubing, is not really feeling sorry for yourself. You're allowed to complain and hurt : - ) Glad you posted, and happy to see you have received so much great support! My thoughts are with you as you await results and outcome.

Glad it's over now. Hope you're on your way to full health

"rage doctor"? a typo for you I assume ... but some folks could sure use one!

Yes, I could have probably used a "rage" doctor on Monday! I have no idea how that typo happened - supposed to have been "my"!

I just paid the Lowe's bill on 28 ft. of pipe to stop our drainage issue (and I thought we were just going to add a gutter)... can I have your rage doc's number? I desperately need to see him.

How are you feeling today, Anglophilia?

Hope you get good news from your doctor on Tuesday!