Sobe they gave me my sedation in an IV and I fell asleep like a baby and didn't feel a thing. Good luck and let us know what your test show.

thanks for letting me know, I'm already nervous about it.

i wouldn't worry about using the Tecta long term. i have been on Nexium for yrs. i have had no side effects from it, but i have had to up the doses over the yrs. don't worry about having to drink the barium if needed again soon. it has gotten so much easier to go down than it was 10 yrs ago. the sedation they use for these procedures is actually more like sodium pentathol. the first time i had a colonoscopy/endoscopy my dr told me about all off the weird stuff i was talking to them about during the procedure. she decided that it was probably because i tend to talk in my sleep. she has since either gotten used to me talking or i have finally stopped, because she never mentions anything anymore. don't worry about you r gag reflex. if your are still concerned come the day of the test. mention it to your doctor before the procedure. they will be able to put you at ease.

Most doctors use "twilight" anesthia for the endoscopy -- it's not the same (and less risky) than general anesthesia, but most people still sleep through it and don't remember anything :) I've had two endoscopies and don't remember either one!

Regarding the PPI's, yes, there are a lot of people who take them for years, but there's also known side effects. You just have to weigh the pros and cons, and make a decision that you and your doctor are comfortable with. PPI's do inhibit your body's ability to absorb certain nutrients -- the FDA has confirmed it inhibits absorbtion of calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, and I think a fourth thing (a B vitamin maybe?). So while you're on PPI's, you may consider taking vitamin and mineral supplements, especially if you have risk factors for osteoporisis. You can get blood tests to monitor vitamin D levels, although I'm not sure if there's an easy way to determine whether you're deficient in the other vitamins/minerals.

I took Nexium for 1.5 years and I suspect it was interfering with my nutrient absorbtion.... blood tests confirmed that I had low vitamin D levels, although I haven't had a vitamin D test since quitting the Nexium to determine if Nexium actually caused it. My dentist could tell I was deficient in calcium due to some discoloration on my teeth; we'll see if that clears up now that I've quit Nexium...

The other side effect of long-term use (like after several years) is the risk of stomach polyps. Some people say PPI's can even cause stomach cancer, but I'm not sure if that's been proven yet.

However, untreated GERD can lead to esophagul damage and esophagul cancer, and PPI's can help protect your esophagus. So there's definitely pros and cons!

Good luck!