Repeat endoscopy in 1 year? huh?

I got paperwork from my gastroenterologist telling me i need another endoscopy in a year WHY? Is this likely to be a yearly thing now? Endoscopy found gastritis of stomach w/inflammation, It also found GERD. Is this routine to have another endoscopy? My understanding is both of these are treatable with medicine i am on carafate and prevacid. Hmmm?

I don't know.  Why not ask the gastroenterologist?

Br grateful if it is yearly. Reflux can lead to esophageal cancer. Catching it early saves lives. In Asia, yearly endoscopies are part of annual physicals. 90% of esophageal cancer there is cured because it is caught early. Sadly, in out country, it is not detected until it is too late and 90% of people here die from esophageal cancer within a year.

I am going to a wake today for a dear friend that just died of esophageal cancer. I wish he had weight loss surgery (not only for the pounds, but the reflux). WLS saves lives!

Martha 

I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. Esophageal cancer is a horrible disease. My dad bravely battled esophageal cancer for two years until his death. We believe it was from a combination of acid reflux and working in chemical plants his whole life, since he was normal weight and not a smoker or a drinker.

I wish there was a "like" button for this post! I needed WLS for so many reasons and it's been the hardest thing to do my whole life but sure beat being unhealthy, developing diabetes eventually i had "pre-diabetes" i was also pre-hypertensive and the GERD obviously. Sorry for your loss.

Thanks yeah i didn't know it was routine to do a yearly recheck for GERD or gastritis. I've had gerd a while now and was never told to get an endoscopy until now after my RNY with the pain caused from the combination of both.

I have to go yearly for an endoscopy as well.  What started off as GERD turned into Barrett's Esophagus.  I guess I'll be on a proton pump inhibitor for life.  But, if it makes you feel better, I had the same exact reaction when I was told I had to return in a year (and in fact almost didn't go until my PCP got a bit adamant that it was important). 

Yes, I have to have a yearly endoscopy for Barrett's esophagus.  I'm glad to do it, as esophageal cancer can be deadly.  I had no idea I had it, didn't even have symptoms of GERD, but did have stomach pains that turned out to be an ulcer.  The Barrett's was found during the endoscopy.  Since it's a painless procedure with no prep and they put me to sleep, I'd much rather have the repeat endoscopy than worry about it becoming cancerous.

I do think that your gastroenterologist should have explained why the repeat test was necessary, however.

Kathy

Thanks for the input everyone all though i wish the gastroenterologist would have discussed this with me instead he sent the RN in the room to give me my paperwork and a very brief description on the findings. I am wondering now if part of the reason for a repeat is my gastritis.. i think they fear ulcers forming too. I am still on carafate and have a follow-up with my surgeon on May 8th. Not that it is a huge deal but instead of getting a letter i thought they would have just told me follow-up would be needed. Irregular Z-line shown on endoscopy i read up and knew it was probably gerd infact i got diagnosed with that YEARS ago but haven't had any trouble with heartburn until recently so i figured it went away.. does continued weight loss help it go away?