Well I have been delinquent in posting, but I get here when I can.
This morning I went to Church and came home to do chores and the power went out. Wind gusts over 60mph!! Whooppee, naptime!!
I napped all day yesterday too because I was up all night with severe tummy ache and then sat on the toilet for an hour, then I was fine. Something going through my system (it is going around). I felt drained...hahahaha...really!
So this weekend was literally shot!
Tomorrow is Water Aerobics which I dearly look forward to now! Miracuously so does my sister!! It is so good for the both of us, and extra good for her to get out and see some different people other than Bob and her animals. Don't take me wrong, Bob is a good guy, but he is WEIRD and a steady diet of Bob is bad for your mental health!! HAHAHAHA Sorry Bob, if you read this, but you know what I mean!! And is it me, or is she actually talking like she is talking to her animals? You know, in that sweet wittle smoochy talk we say to our doggies? Nah.
Tuesday I look forward to an EGD!(explanation below). Since I had a month of severe esophagitis, they want to check out my esophagus. No problem, says I. Doc Z (Zavaruha)explained it to me and I smiled when he said he will give me some happy juice to get me through this. Well a die-hard alcoholic would tell the doctor no way will they take the drugs because of their sobriety. Well I have been sober for 19 years and 9 months. I am not afraid I will go out and get druink over this, so give me a double dose please, and send me home to sleep it off thank you very much!!
And no, I am not going to change my sobriety date over this!
It's MY program, so there!
Well time for bed! I need to try and get that hour back we lost last night! I will be pissed for the entire time until the Fall when they give it back to me!!
Gastric endoscopy
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is an examination of the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper duodenum with a small camera (flexible endoscope) which is inserted down the throat.
You will be given a sedative and an analgesic. A local anesthetic will be sprayed into your mouth to suppress the need to cough or gag when the endoscope is inserted. A mouth guard will be inserted to protect your teeth and the endoscope. Dentures must be removed.
In most cases, an intravenous line will be inserted into your arm to administer medications during the procedure.
You will be instructed to lie on your left side.
After the gag reflex has been suppressed by the anesthetic, the endoscope will be advanced through the esophagus to the stomach and duodenum. Air will be introduced through the endoscope to enhance viewing.(oh swell, that's all I need is more air down there! Look out folks)!! The lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper duodenum is examined, and biopsies can be obtained through the endoscope. Biopsies are tissue samples that are reviewed under the microscope.
After the test is completed, food and liquids will be restricted until your gag reflex returns.
The test lasts about 5 to 20 minutes.
Fasting is required overnight (6 to 12 hours before the test). An informed consent form must be signed. You may be told to stop aspirin and other blood-thinning medications for several days before the test.
The local anesthetic makes swallowing difficult. This wears off shortly after the procedure. The endoscope may stimulate some gagging in the back of the throat. There may be a sensation of gas, and the movement of the scope may be felt in the abdomen. Biopsies cannot be felt. Because of the intravenous sedation, you may not feel any discomfort and may have no memory of the test.
This test is helpful in determining:
The cause of upper GI (gastrointestinal) bleeding
The cause of swallowing difficulties
The presence of ulcerations or inflammation
The cause of abdominal pain
The condition of the stomach and duodenum after an operation
The presence of tumors or other abnormalities of the upper GI tract
Narrowing or tumors of the esophagus
The esophagus, stomach, and duodenum should be smooth and of normal color. There should be no bleeding, growths, ulcers or inflammation.
What abnormal results mean Return to top
An EGD may show:
Ulcers (acute or chronic)
Tumors
Inflammation of the stomach and duodenum
Diverticula (abnormal pouches in the lining of the intestines)
Mallory-Weiss syndrome (tear)
Esophageal rings
Esophagitis
Strictures
Gastric masses
Obstruction
Gastric ulcer
What the risks are Return to top
There is a small chance of perforation (hole) of the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus; There is also a small risk of bleeding at the biopsy site. A patient could have an adverse reaction to the anesthetic, medication, or tranquilizer. This reaction could cause:
Respiratory depression (difficulty breathing)
Apnea (not breathing)
Hypotension (low blood pressure)
Excessive sweating
Bradycardia
Laryngospasm (spasm of the larynx)
The overall risk is less than 1 out of 1,000 people.
Special considerations Return to top
If any of these conditions arise after the test, contact the health care provider:
Difficulty swallowing
Pain
Fever
Black stools
Blood in vomit
Update Date: 5/8/2006
Updated by: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like
every two hours?
