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Hello, Listmates!
  Many, many thanks to all who replied to my query about  the biopsy causing
any increased digestive difficulties or side effects.  Overwhelmingly, those
who responded said the biopsy was no problem.  Following is a summary:

33 people responded, 3 of whom decided against having the biopsy.

Of the 30 who had the biopsy, 28 had no lasting side effects whatsoever, even
with multiple endoscopies.  The temporary side effects were:

7 had sore throats, 3 had nausea, two were quite sleepy, one had a headache
 and one a stiff jaw.  Two people thought the whole procedure was actually
quite pleasant, and two said it was unpleasant. And person actually bit her
doctor!  (Bad side effect for the doctor only.)  Also, one person chose not to
have any anesthesia at all during the procedure.

2 people reported side effects:  One woman's daughter had nausea and vomiting
for a few days afterward, possibly from the probing and biopsy of a pre-
ulcerative condition in her stomach, rather than the actual biopsy of the
small intestine.  And one woman had no immediate side effects, but the next
morning had a heart attack from a blood clot.  Her doctors said it wasn't
related to the biopsy, but of course it makes her wonder.  Her naturopath
theories that since the heart and windpipe are right next to the esophagus,
the biopsy tool may have caused bruising that caused the clot.  She relates
this is only a hypothesis.  She has since made a full recovery.

   Many responded to my statement about having a very bad reaction to a barium
swallow for an upper GI and small bowel study.  It seems no one who has
ingested the stuff did well with it.  Two reported that unless the radiologist
was told to make a gluten free barium meal, it may have been loaded with
gluten.

With the summary out of the way, I will update you on my  biopsy, which  I
related was scheduled for Mon. Nov. 16th.   I had to cancel it because of a
jaw injury.  Beforehand, I found out from the nurse that a bite block must be
worn to keep the mouth open during the procedure.  I am unable to have the
bite block in my mouth,   so  I asked if I could have the biopsy without
anesthesia in order to  consciously hold my mouth open without the block.
The nurse told me "no"--something about not wanting me to bite the very
expensive scope as it it being put down my throat!
   I have an appointment with my gastro this coming Monday to discuss this
with him.
    Thank you again for your responses, encouragement, and kind words.
       Dina in Michigan