So, no endoscopy today. This was the original consult, where the gastroenterologist makes me spend money to give him the same medical history I gave my GP, and then puts me on expensive medications before doing any expensive diagnostic tests.
Current diagnosis: acid reflux. I'm going to be taking a "proton pump inhibitor" to try to neutralize the acid. It could take up to a month for the symptoms to dissipate if the medicine is effective. Fun. I'm also supposed to start drinking metamucil. Nothing like purchasing senior citizen accessories while in your mid-twenties. Soon I'll be buying ensure and depends. I can feel it.
Differential diagnosis: allergies. Apparently, I may suffer from some seasonal allergies that are causing me to experience post-nasal drip in the nighttime, and making me throw up in the morning as I try to clear my throat (subconsciously) in the morning. Intriguing. And convenient, since I have no allergy symptoms during the day. And am not "stuffed up" in the morning. If you can just make stuff up, I think I'm ready to be a doctor. If it is "allergies" then my symptoms would likely go away this summer and come back at the same time next year.
Follow up: revisit the GE if the PPI doesn't get rid of the AR. If I have reflux, then I'd get an endoscopy in 5-7 years to make sure that the acid hasn't killed my esophagus.
Feelings: why don't we have one of those medical tricorders yet? I just want to know what's wrong with me by waving an iPhone over my body, and then I want it to be cured by some kind of painless laser/photon beam. On a positive note, my doctor was pretty nice, I think I'm just frustrated with medicine as a whole.
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