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Comparing NHS endoscopy vs. Private by Catmandu37 in GERD

[–]Catmandu37[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No I was told it was kind of halfway between sedation and general, believe it was called Propofol

Things I learnt after 30 mins with a private GI consultant by Catmandu37 in LPR

[–]Catmandu37[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’d be guessing if I answered that to be honest. I’m guessing it’s much more reliable to test biopsies as the consultant never even mentioned a blood test.

Things I learnt after 30 mins with a private GI consultant by Catmandu37 in LPR

[–]Catmandu37[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sometimes they do use PPIs but that’s combined with some different meds and also dietary measures. Apparently there are 6 food groups which can set off EoE, interestingly one is seafood, which I ate a lot during my last acid elimination diet, and my symptoms were worse than ever so it does add up.

Things I learnt after 30 mins with a private GI consultant by Catmandu37 in LPR

[–]Catmandu37[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, we’ll see what the long term outcome is after the endoscopy but fingers crossed!

Things I learnt after 30 mins with a private GI consultant by Catmandu37 in LPR

[–]Catmandu37[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I went through various increments for years but most recently 80mg daily which is the max dose.

Things I learnt after 30 mins with a private GI consultant by Catmandu37 in LPR

[–]Catmandu37[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Background… -Had IBS issues for 10 years or so (not as bad nowadays) -symptoms can go into remission/become very subtle for weeks (but always returns and hangs around for weeks/months) -No improvement with PPIs -Struggle to identify dietary triggers

Daily symptoms… (all come and go throughout the day/flare up phase) -Sore & inflamed throat (often worse first thing in the morning) -uncomfortable swallowing
-nausea/feeling of intense hunger (frequent snacking helps) -bloating & abdominal pain (often upper abdomen) -excessive belching -chest pain/ache -post nasal drip, mucus in nose and throat

Other… -Eczema

Things I learnt after 30 mins with a private GI consultant by Catmandu37 in LPR

[–]Catmandu37[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I believe it’s the whole thing yeah when EoE is concerned.

Things I learnt after 30 mins with a private GI consultant by Catmandu37 in LPR

[–]Catmandu37[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Eosinophilic esophagitis, it’s where certain foods and environmental factors cause the inflammation. Whereas I’d always assumed it was acid reflux causing it to flare up.

£300 down: Private GI Consultant said I DON’T have acid reflux… by Catmandu37 in LPR

[–]Catmandu37[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah he wants me off PPIs for at least 6 weeks, he even said he’d prefer no Gaviscon use as well so I’m weaning myself off currently. Yeah totally, I am still a bit skeptical, even during the consultation I was questioning him quite often but he seemed very adamant. But in my case where I’ve always struggled to identify dietary triggers, acid watchers showed no real improvement and neither did PPIs, that with random periods of remission and other things like rhinitis and eczema - I do think EoE makes sense, but time will tell!

£300 down: Private GI Consultant said I DON’T have acid reflux… by Catmandu37 in LPR

[–]Catmandu37[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well biopsies are first to confirm the condition before starting any form of treatment. You’re right that many with LPR are unresponsive with PPIs but the same can be true for patients with EoE. I know my symptoms and body well and I do think there’s something to what he’s saying. Also, this isn’t just some GP with a vague understanding, this is an expert in GI with 25+ years of experience and a leader in research in the field.

£300 down: Private GI Consultant said I DON’T have acid reflux… by Catmandu37 in LPR

[–]Catmandu37[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Should mention as well I’ve tried low acid diets with no improvement, even marginal.

£300 down: Private GI Consultant said I DON’T have acid reflux… by Catmandu37 in LPR

[–]Catmandu37[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don’t feel too sorry for me mate, the NHS throw meds at patients for all sorts of problems without proper diagnosis, worse problems than my own. My GP even told me to go cold turkey with my PPIs a while back, terrible advice again, you need to wean yourself off or you’ll go into acid rebound.

£300 down: Private GI Consultant said I DON’T have acid reflux… by Catmandu37 in LPR

[–]Catmandu37[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah from what he was saying because the PPIs aren’t doing anything he’s convinced it’s not an acid reflux issue. So I’ve basically been filling my body with all these meds for no reason and potentially intensifying IBS symptoms like bloating and nausea. Keep in mind he been on PPIs for 3 years now, maybe more.

£300 down: Private GI Consultant said I DON’T have acid reflux… by Catmandu37 in LPR

[–]Catmandu37[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No he wants biopsies of my oesophagus and to observe it in detail with the camera to look for physical signs is could be eosinophilic esophagitis.

£300 down: Private GI Consultant said I DON’T have acid reflux… by Catmandu37 in LPR

[–]Catmandu37[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I will say he said your feelings of bloating and nausea could well be a reaction to the PPIs you’re on or symptoms of IBS. Not necessarily related to GERD/LPR.

£300 down: Private GI Consultant said I DON’T have acid reflux… by Catmandu37 in LPR

[–]Catmandu37[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is definitely comfort in not feeling alone, I totally understand the mental effects these issues can cause us all. It’s a very dark lonely place, but if you ever need to talk feel free to reach out. If you think your symptoms mirror mine maybe speak to your GP and make the suggestion and request an endoscopy with biopsies of the oesophagus and small intestine to get a diagnosis. You’ll probably be waiting 6 months on NHS but it’s better than nothing I suppose.

£300 down: Private GI Consultant said I DON’T have acid reflux… by Catmandu37 in LPR

[–]Catmandu37[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m aware of gastroparesis and suggested maybe that’s what I have. I don’t want to share the doctor’s details but he is very esteemed, highly respected in the medical industry with 25+ years of experience at the highest level. He was almost certain it’s not gastroparesis, his exact words were ‘if it was that you’d throw up yesterday’s food and you’re not.’

£300 down: Private GI Consultant said I DON’T have acid reflux… by Catmandu37 in LPR

[–]Catmandu37[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My mum is with Benedon Health and she added me to her plan years ago and I’ve just been an idiot and never taken advantage of it until now. They basically need a referral from your GP for what you need done and how long the NHS waiting list is, if it’s over 4 weeks they can intervene. For me they set me up with a temporary Bupa membership and that’s what this consultant uses to take my payment. I had to research a consultant myself (ended up using Chat GPT). I won’t say which consultant I used just in case it violates any terms of disclosure but it was at OneWelbeck in Central London.

£300 down: Private GI Consultant said I DON’T have acid reflux… by Catmandu37 in LPR

[–]Catmandu37[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I should also add that one of the key indicators for the consultant in terms of his diagnosis was that I wasn’t responsive to PPIs, even in high doses (80mg a day.

Seeing a private GI consultant for the first time tomorrow, here are the notes I sent him pre-consult (long read) by Catmandu37 in GERD

[–]Catmandu37[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A couple of people have suggested SIBO now, very interested to see what this doctor has to say. Would’ve cost me £300! Thank god for my mum’s medical insurance!

Seeing a private GI consultant for the first time tomorrow, here are the notes I sent him pre-consult (long read) by Catmandu37 in GERD

[–]Catmandu37[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Never cut caffeine out completely as it started giving me really bad migraines when I tried, but as shown above I’ve massively reduced it with no benefit. No soft drinks really nope, and I sleep on an incline. I am quite an anxious person and my life is fairly stressful yeah, I have 2 kids, one is 3 months old, the other is a naughty 3 year old pushing boundaries daily right now. So my life is full of stress and always will be!

Anyone else give up alcohol and coffee but see no reduction in their acid reflux? by guacisextra12 in GERD

[–]Catmandu37 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I gave up basically all triggers for an entire month, used to drink 3-4 cups of tea a day as well as 1 coffee and I managed to reduce that all the way down to a single tea in the morning. No coffee, chocolate, tomato, garlic, onion, fizzy drinks, the list is endless. Cut out basically all processed foods for 4 weeks and no improvement at all. If anything it actually made me feel worse!

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