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Gastroscopy |
| We speak to Mr A, a 62 year old male..... |
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What symptoms did you have? |
| ''For a few months my stomach was very tender and caused a lot of pain. I also suffered from bloating and wind. Small amounts of food were okay but large meals caused me severe pain. My GP referred me to a gastroenterologist who told me I needed a gastroscopy to look inside my stomach''. |
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Did you have any tests? |
| ''No but I did have a physical examination''. |
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What happened in the hospital? |
| ''My tablets for my stomach ulcer were stopped for two weeks before the procedure. I wasn't allowed to eat from the night before. I was seen by the consultant who explained the procedure and asked me to sign a consent form. I was then taken to theatre in a wheelchair''. |
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What was the procedure like? |
| ''I was asked to lie on a bed in theatre, and was asked if I wanted sedation or a numbing throat spray. I don't like pain so I asked for both! I had a needle put into the back of my hand, and can't remember anything after that. The next thing I knew, I was in the recovery room''. |
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How did you feel after the procedure? |
| ''After about an hour a nurse gave me a cup of tea and a sandwich. I had no pain at all. After about another hour the consultant came to talk to me and said he had removed a cyst from my stomach which he had sent to the lab for testing''. |
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Were there any complications? |
| ''No but they found Helicobacter Pylori growing on the cyst, which was benign. I was given three different antibiotics to take''. |
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How are you now? |
| ''I sometimes still have stomach ache and am due to have another test for Helicobacter''. |
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Can you give any advice to anyone having this procedure? |
| ''I've had this procedure before with just the spray, and it was quite uncomfortable. I'd certainly say to have sedation if possible''. |
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Learn more about gastroscopy in our Procedure Info pages |
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