Hi, Googley, I know you don't know me but I have done endoscopy exams before and wanted to speak up about it too.I think it is a good idea to be filled in on what to expect and to be sure you know what is happening and be sure you feel safe with the medical professionals working with you on this.

In my past I've had to have both an endoscopy and colonoscopy at the same time (o joy!). There is more "unpleasantness" involved in getting ready for the procedure, at least for a colonoscopy. Once I was sedated and unconscious I remembered nothing else until I woke after it was over.

It must be important for you to do this test or it would not be set up for you to do it, so talking to yourself about why you are doing this and how you are taking good care of yourself may help you with the reluctance to do it.

I would at least be sure that the medical people know you have some issues with being touched. It will help them help you better and may prevent you from freaking out at the doctor. I had to be examined by my regular doc recently due to a problem i was having and when the nurse came in with the dumb paper gown I burst into tears. BUT, unlike in the past, I just let myself cry and surprisingly I was past it in a short time and was able to be composed while doc examined me. And afterward I congratulated myself FOR crying instead of fussing at myself for having feelings.

Thorough communication helps everyone involved. I hope all goes very smoothly for you! I discovered that some anti-inflammatory medicine I had been taking was eroding the lining of my stomach and intestines. So, I can say the tests were necessary and once I knew what the problem was, I stopped taking the medicine and my body settled down and healed up. My only wish was that I had had the endoscopic procedures done sooner instead of having 9 months of gastric chaos first!

Leslie