The study requires an Endoscopy to be done at the end of 24 weeks. Mine was scheduled for May 14, 2001. I was a nervous wreck. The thought of swallowing that camera thingy scared the hell out of me. My mom went with me, (she's been my treatment buddy!), and I can now say that it was a BREEZE!

The Endoscopy is done to see if there is any varices (bleeding veins in the esophegus), and to check the stomach as well. Varices is usually a sign of end stage liver disease and is extremely dangerous, as a person could bleed to death if those veins start bleeding. They have you swallow a tube that has an itty bitty camera on the end. Then they take pictures of your esophagus and stomach!

I got to the hospital in the morning and they took me right in. (USC is a GREAT place.) The Dr went over the procedure with me making sure I understood everything. I found out that my regular Liver Specialist is the man who trained this guy! I immediately felt more relaxed knowing that. (I just LOVE my regular GI doc.) They hooked me up to machines and I can't even remember if they gave me an IV or not. They must have in order to give me the sedative but it's the first IV I've ever forgotten getting! I remember handing the nurse my glasses and then being told to wake up so I could go home. I have absolutely NO RECALL at all about what happened. They use something called Conscience Sedation. This stuff is great. They should use it for biopsies too. I woke up and they kept me around for about an hour to keep an eye on my blood pressure, then we left. I was awake and alert, and probably could have driven myself back home too. What a wonderful way to have a procedure.

The Dr handed me a copy of the results before I left, complete with pictures. Weird pictures. They look kind of weird and sort of like, well...ummm...they actually honestly look like some kind of porno pictures so I'm not going to put them on here!! BUT....here are the results of my first Endoscopy ~
 
 

Procedure:        EGD, Diagnostic
Medications:     Demerol 37.5mg IV, Versed 3mg IV

Description of Procedure:  After the risks, benefits and alternatives of the procedure were thoroughly explained, informed consent was obtained. The Pentax EG-3400 endoscopy was introduced through the mouth and advanced to the second portion of the duodenum. The gastroesophageal junction was located at 35 cm. The instrument was withdrawn as the mucosa was carefully examined.

Results:  The upper, middle, and distal third of the esophagus were carefully inspected and no ablormalities were noted. The z-line was well seen at the GEJ. The endoscope was puched into the fundus which was normal including a retroflexed view. The antrum, first and second part of the duidenum were unremarkable, in the total stomach. Normal GE junction was noted, in the lower esophagus. Retroflexion was not performed. The scope was then completely withdrawan from the patient and the procedure terminated.

Complications:  None
Endoscopic Impression:    1. Normal EGD in the total stomach
                                                   2. Normal GE junction in the lower esophagus
                                                   3. Follow up primary MD 3 months.