Can A Biopsy Or An Endoscopy Cause Scarring Or Damage In The Stomach?
no risk for cancer due to the procedure
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
rest assured that there is absolutely no risk that comes out of this procedure. Taking a biopsy does so little harm that heals within the next 24 hours. There is no risk for cancer due to the procedure. Since the endoscopy was clear, there is no ulcer and the risk for cancer is almost zero. I've used the word "almost" because there's always the possibility of a small cancer that's too small to be seen. The symptoms couldn't be attributed to it anyway.
If the gastroenterologist believes that you do have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) then treatment with nexium (or other similar drugs) is recommended. Nexium is the right treatment for functional dyspepsia as well. Adding domperidone to the regimen may help with severe GERD. Dietary recommendations may vary depending on the final diagnosis. Be sure to check your gallbladder as well with an ultrasound scan as sometimes the symptoms may be misleading.
So in conclusion, you don't run any risk due to the procedure. Don't worry about that.
Kind regards!
I don't believe its bile...
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
Bile reflux is usually associated with surgery in the stomach and adjacent organs. In normal individuals bile reflux is not supposed to occur or it may occur very rarely. Therefore I don't believe it's bile reflux. Keep in mind that acid suppressing drugs do not reduce the reflux itself. They only reduce acidity.
The answer to your second question (about bile reflux treatment or natural remedies) is that I don't know of any efficient way to prevent it.
Kind Regards!
no risk for bile reflux
Detailed Answer:
As I said earlier this procedure carries no risk for bile reflux. They usually take biopsies whenever there is any visible abnormality. In most cases there are some signs of gastritis. And sometimes they take biopsies "blindly" (without any visible lesion).
The gallbladder usually causes right upper quadrant discomfort but sometimes it causes epigastric discomfort. When the symptoms are epigastric, gallbladder disease can be confused with stomach disease. Gallbladder disease can sometimes occur in families for various reasons (for example spherocytic anemia). If you haven't done an ultrasound scan of the upper abdomen I would recommend doing one, although it will probably be negative (do it just in case).
Kind Regards!
they usually take pictures
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
it is common practice to take pictures during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy even if they're normal. I really doubt that any damage was done but since you have daily symptoms I would suggest doing an ultrasound scan of the upper abdomen first and then talking with the gastroenterologist. A repeat endoscopy might help to clarify things and prove whether any kind of damage has occurred or not.
Since you like to check things on the internet, it may help to have a look at this: https://www.asge.org/docs/default-source/education/practice_guidelines/doc-adverse-events-of-upper-gi-endoscopy.pdf
This text is supposed to be read by doctors but it shouldn't be that hard to read and understand its main points.
Kind Regards!
Another thing is there any similar cases to me that have been documented that I could show the gastroenterologist that could be helpful in showing them that this can happen? Because in all honesty I just want to get better the last year has just been me being sick everyday and I have been struggling to work and studying because of it.
the capsule is not a real alternative
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
The capsule is not a real alternative. Endoscopy is by far the best test for the gastrointestinal system. The capsule is only used for parts of the intestine that can't be approached with endoscopy (the small intestine). One - obsolete today - alternative is a simple x-ray of the stomach after the patient swallows radiocontrast media. The radiocontrast media spreads around and depicts the shape of the stomach so that gross abnormalities (like a tumor or a stricture) can be revealed. It is an inferior test though which has become obsolete after endoscopy.
I have rarely met people who attribute their symptoms to endoscopy (although their doctors did not agree...) but I've never read anything about it in credible medical books or journals. I understand that you have a serious problem so my suggestion is to visit another gastroenterologist (since you don't seem to trust the first one) and start over with the investigation. If the gastroenterologist asks for a new endoscopy, do not hesitate to proceed with it! Endoscopy is still a safe procedure despite your negative experience.
they don't
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome; the ultrasound scans are safe. You can do as many as you like without any fear of complications.