Upper GI Procedure?

Question

I am getting the upper GI in two days, i went to the doc yesterday for my upper stomach pains, extreme bloating and burning under my breastbone and burning under my armpits and sides of my breast are very tender. The doc scheduled an upper Gi to find out if there is an infection or ulcer and or polyps in my stomach causing all this discomfort.

My question is will this test tell what is actually causing all this discomfort and or will this just be another day off of work with no results?

I am currently taking nexium and carafate together which seem to be helping but I can barely eat w/out becoming very uncomptable until the food digest.

Answer 1

Are you having an x-ray procedure called an Upper GI (UGI)? This is a very good test and it is cost effective. It can show ulcers, hiatal hernias and reflux (where what you swallow goes backwards into the esophagus).

"An upper gastrointestinal (UGI) series is done to:

****Find the cause of gastrointestinal symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing, vomiting, burping up food, belly pain (including a burning or gnawing pain in the center of the stomach, or indigestion. These may be caused by conditions such as hiatal hernia.
****Find narrow spots (strictures) in the upper intestinal tract, ulcers, tumors, polyps, or pyloric stenosis.
****Find inflamed areas of the intestine, malabsorption syndrome, or problems with the squeezing motion that moves food through the intestines (motility disorders).
****Find swallowed objects."

http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/Upper-Gastrointestinal-UGI-Series

Do you really have to sacrifice a whole work day? The procedure only takes about 30 minutes. It should be done in the morning, as you cannot eat after midnight the night before the study. Most outpatient imaging facilities or x-ray departments in hospitals offer early morning appointments. You should have no problem going to work after this examination.

Answer 2

It sounds like you have an obstruction. You may have an infection as well but if your temperature is normal it might be and obstruction. Next thing to look at is white blood cell count. Is it unusually high? If it is this could mean tumors and cancer. The upper GI sucks and is very uncomfortable. Swallowing berrium is like a cement milk shake. Why have they not done an MRI ? It would show more. They usually use the cheapest way of testing first and the lower and upper GI are common. I had the lower GI once. They found I was allergic to milk. It's not good for everybody. Food allergies may be the problem. Most HMO's want the cheapest way of doing things no matter how much they inconvenience the patient. So question everything and get a second opinion. Ask nurses and veterinarians what they think. Since Nurses can't diagnose a problem they can give you a fair idea without having to worry about malpractice law suites. Vet's are doctors with more training then doctors. They too do not have to worry about those consequences and can give you a straight answer. Doctors won't tell you anything. They obey the HMO and the insurance companies. Question them find out and ask why. Use the internet to learn about your disease. Web MD is a good place to start.

Answer 3

I had to have an upper GI years ago because I had bad stomach pains. They were able to give me results within a couple of days (nervous stomach, could easily get ulcers).

Don't look at this as another day off work (negativity makes your pain level higher), look at it as a possible solution to your problems. If they don't get answers from this, then they will go to the next test and so on until they get results.

Insurance companies won't cover some tests unless other tests have been done first so go with the flow and hopefully you will get answers soon. Good luck to you and hope you get to feeling better soon

Answer 4

I have had the same symptoms and went thru several upper GI series as well as lower ones. After repeated tests and trips to the doctors they said it was buildup of gas especially under breastbone and that I had reflux,which I already knew and was taking meds for it for 3 yrs. No test is 100% accurate,but you have to start somewhere. Just don't let them poopoo you and say it is in your head. If it is uncomfortable keep after the docs until they find out what it is.

Answer 5

I just read in your answers someone said you get knocked out for an upper GI, that is not true.

They give you berium to drink, and its a white chalky liquid that coats your stomach,then they give you crystals that kind of inflate your stomach, but they;re like pop rocks that you have to swollow. I hated it both times i had it done. Once when i was 10 and once in the last yearm im 17 now.
They found no problems in my upper GI, but we found out its anixety thats my problem, yours kinda sounds like Acid Reflux, almost. A real bad case if it is. Anyways, u should get results from this!
Good luck and lemme know how things turn out!!

Answer 6

that depends entirely on which Upper GI procedure the doctor chooses to use. There are several different tests that fall in this category.

Answer 7

It may or may not tell what the problem is but you've got to start somewhere, right? Go with it and hope that it gives you an answer. If not, then ask what the next step would be. Good luck.

Answer 8

you have gerd. I just had an upper GI and it's no big deal. they noticed some inflamation from the food I eat. it was kind of fun. they put you out so one min your there, and the next you are waking up. try and see how long you can stay awake once they put you out.

Answer 9

if they haven't already they need to be doing an ultrasound first. That will rull out gallbladder before they do something invasive like that.

Answer 10

Up periscope