So what’s a Holter monitor?

April 19, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 76-year-old man who has just had a EGD/colonoscopy. During the procedure something happened and I was awakened in the middle of it. It seems that my heart either stopped or slowed way down. I did not have any residual effects from this but my doctor would like me to wear a Holter monitor. Can you tell me what a Holter monitor is and how and why it is used?

DEAR READER: An EGD is an esophagogastroduodenoscopy or upper endoscopy, a test that examines the lining of the esophagus, stomach and a small portion of the small intestine. It is performed with a small camera inserted into the throat that will allow your physician to evaluate possible abnormalities.
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: , ,

Colonoscopy revisited

December 26, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I believe you did your readers a disservice in your Nov. 13 article on colonoscopy. You should have indicated that it’s not as safe as you may have your readers believe. I personally know of two men who underwent this operation and had their colons cut. This caused one to undergo massive surgery at a local hospital, and he ended up with a colostomy. The other spent many months in rehab over this “simple” surgical procedure.

I am 71 and will not undergo a colonoscopy for any reason! It’s nowhere as safe as one is led to believe. You should have mentioned this to your readers. I’ll take my chances with cancer versus walking around for the rest of my life with a bag attached to my body.
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: ,