<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Hello, Listmates! Many, many thanks to all who replied to my query about the biopsy causing any increased digestive difficulties or side effects. 33 people responded. 28 had no lasting side effects whatsoever, even with multiple endoscopies. The temporary 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. One person actually bit her doctor! (Bad side effect for the doctor!) Also, one person chose not to have any anesthesia at all during the procedure 3 people chose not to have the biopsy at all 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 she wonders. 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 was only a hypothesis. Many responded to my statement about my 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 procedure. It was to have been Mon. Nov. 16th, but I had to cancel it. I have a jaw injury, and found out from the nurse that a bite block must be worn during the procedure. I am unable do that, so I asked if I could have the biopsy without anesthesia in order to hold my mouth open without the bite 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