[splitimage]

I'm mildly freaked out. I have to in for a gastroendoscopy Aug. 7. My Dr. ordered it, because I'm having problems with choking on my food.

And I'm feeling nervous, because I have to be sedated for it, and the last time I had any kind of anasthetic I got really sick.

I'm also feeling bad because if there is damage to my esophogus it's probably because I damaged it all the years I was drinking.

Has anyone had one, and can tell me what to expect?\

Thanks.

splitimage

[hamster-bamster]

I have not not had one, but about 15 years ago, I worked as a medical interpreter for non-English-speaking patients, and in the course of that worked, witnessed colonoscopies, gastroendoscopies, and other such procedures. You will be mildly sedated. Everything will be OK. It is not as nearly as scary as it used to be decades ago. Good luck! And, it was a mild procedure 15 years ago - it could only have become better since.

[yellowted]

i had one last year, they take you in as a day case, no need to stay over night. after checking you are actually the right patient and you sign the consent stuff, they get youto take off all metal items, including your bra, then once in the theatre, they put in a canula to give you sedation and give you some spray in your mouth, a bit like breath freshener to numb it, after a few minutes once it works they put in a thing to hold your mouth open then ask you to try and swallow the tube (i really struggled with this and they had to give me extra sedation before my throat relaxed enough...it didn't hurt though) i think i dosed off while they were looking cos i don't remember much and woke up as they were finishing, after wards i was totally ok if a little sore throated for a day or so.
the worst thing for me was they had to hold the canula in my arm using a sticky patch which i am allergic to so i had a big red patch of raw skin when they removed it! but there again i am used to that as it always happens with even hypoallergenic plasters!

hope it goes ok x
take care x

[lizardlady]

Splitimage, I had one a few years ago. It was no big deal as far as I was concerned. It's done as an outpatient procedure. You'll need someone to drive you home. The place I went to would not start the procedure if your support persdon wasn't there. They gave me happy juice through an IV. I was already out when they put the tube down my throat. I woke up in the recovery area pretty quickly. First thing I wanted to do was go get something to eat. I hadn't had anything by mouth since the night before. It was late afternoon by the time I was done. (The procedure was scheduled for early afternoon). I was starving!

[Travelinglady]

I've had two of them. It's as the other folks described. I was out of it before the tube even went down and woke up in recovery. I don't know what anaesthesia they use, but the procedure in and of itself only lasts a few minutes at most.

You might want to tell your doctor about your experiences with anaesthesia in the past. I get really sick with one kind (nausea/vomiting) without careful precautions and post-cautions, but other kinds don't bother me at all. The kind used for me in this procedure didn't. It's the kind used for longer procedures that affects me badly.

As far as your possible damage, you can't help what might have caused any. They will treat it, if necessary. Just feel proud of yourself that you are beyond the drinking now. Okay?

[lynn P.]

I've had this 3 times because my father died from stomach cancer at 34 yrs. Its not that unpleasant - they gave me mild anesthesia......sometimes I wasn't aware and other times aware but didn't mind. Only uncomfortable thing is when they 1st put the tube down, but you might be put out completely. Last time it was funny because the doctor asked me if I wanted to see my own stomach and I said yes lol.

I'm sorry you're worried about the drinking and its affect on your esophagus - I pray you'll be okay. Have they also felt your thyroid gland - enlarged thyroid can sometimes affect swallowing. I also get an adverse reaction from anesthesia - makes me very restless, so you need to tell them about this beforehand. Its not a bad procedure and better to know than not treat it it all. Best of luck and hope it goes well splitimage.

[ECHOES]

Let the anesthesiologist know ahead of time that you got sick the last time. This happened to me, and I was advised to do this. I have done it since, and they just add something to prevent the nausea, etc from happening. I never knew!

Esophagus issues happen for many reasons, and sometimes just age or genetics. No reason to be shaming yourself. Instead, be proud that you are finding out what is going on so you can do what's needed to take care of it.

I had one a few years ago at the same time as a colonoscopy. One minute I was in pre-op and the next minute I was in post-op. I had no ill effects and was fine except for the exhaustion that can come from the worry and anticipation at times like this.

[TerryL]

I have had at least 3 done. Once under full anesthesia, twice under moderate sedation. here is an article that has more information - Endoscopy Sedation | GastroNet

If you have any concerns be sure to talk to your doctor beforehand.

The only discomfort was momentary during the insertion of the needle for the IV and maybe slight discomfort of the throat afterwards. Like others have posted, I was out before they inserted the tube so did not feel that at all and the next thing I was awake. Only remember once singing at the top of my lungs whilst drifting off to sedation

I always tried to get a morning appointment so doc would not be too tired.

I hope all will go well for you!

[Raindropvampire]

I have had 6 of these and refused sedation every time.(I'm terrified of IVs) Plus I want it on a screen so I can see. They sprayed my throat to numb it, ran the scope down(since I was awake they asked me to swallow several times) and in my case they ended up draining quite a bit of acid and bile off my tummy so they could see better. The worst part is if they aren't careful you drool all over yourself. They really are quite easy. I hope yours goes as great as all of mine have.

[splitimage]

Thank you all for the replies. It helps me a lot to know that it's not a major procedure and seems to go smoothly for most people. I will tell them my bad experiences with sedation before - thanks for that suggestion.

I'm trying to find a friend who isn't working to go with me.

splitimage

[googley]

I had one done about 4 years ago. They put me under "twilight sedation." Everyone said that I wouldn't remember the procedure but I remember the whole thing. Even in remembering it there was no point that i was scared. i couldn't feel the tube they put down my throat. It did feel funny for me when they took samples, like i was being pinched (not hard) on the inside. It felt funny. Like others said, make sure to tell them your prior experience (tell your gastro before the day of) so they can prepare anything they need to. Because I was under twilight sedation there was just my gastro and a nurse, no anesthesiologist there. Whatever happened, you will do your best and deal with what is to come. It will be okay.

[yellowted]

i just had a colonoscopy done the other day ( same as an endoscopy but the camera goes in from the other end!) i reminded them about my allergies and was given the choice of having gas and air through a mask instead of having the iv sedation. (the sedation is not a problem for me, but the sticky patch they put over the iv to keep it in place is as it blisters my skin like a burn.
they say you must have someone with you for 24 hours after the procedure...as i live alone with no family contact, my carer and i said she was going to stay but when she settled me back home she went home..i am capable of calling for help if i need it!
also you are not meant to drive for 24 hours, not even a mobility scooter...yeah right my scooter is my only independent way of going outside. i did feel tired but often do regardless of sedation and still drive scoot, only difference is that when i feel tired i do not drive it on the road or go too far.

[shezbut]

(((splitimage)))

I had one of these tests 5 years (or so) ago. I agree with the other posters. A nurse did see me 1/2 hour before the gastroendoscopy, to go over everything with me as well. She checked my blood pressure, weight, a pinprick blood test (I don't recall why), and asked lots of Q's.

My gastroenterologist said that most people do fall asleep. I was awake for a lot of it. I struggled with allowing the tube to be put down my throat ~ I remember that. I also recall the test being done in a normal examination room, just with a lot of extra stuff and people in there to read the equipment. Then I fell asleep when the tube went into my esophagus...probably just a couple of minutes before that GI doc was done!

It's a very rapid test, it just takes a while for us to "snap out of it".

In the recovery room, there were 20 beds and a couple of nurses there who were talking to newly wakening patients, bringing them water and crushed ice to sip on slowly.

I can't recall how soon thereafter I saw the GI doc regarding the results of the test, but I don't think that it was long...maybe a day or two later? The results were esophagitis, which required a special antacid prescription med twice/day for several weeks. I was also then given instructions on how to prevent further cases from brewing in the future.

Gentle hugs to you. Just be upfront with your doctor now about your tendency to become ill after anaesthesia, so that preventative measures can be taken.

That's what I can remember. Very best wishes to you!

[Travelinglady]

If you'd like, then please let us know how it went! (And what the results were later.)

[splitimage]

Thanks everyone for the stories and words of encouragement. I'm feeling much calmer about the test now.

I'll definitely post an update afterwards on how it goes.

splitimage

[splitimage]

OK - So that wasn't the funnest thing ever to go through. The anesthesiologist didn't get the meds right and I came to half way through the procedure, which was just when they were taking the biopsy - ouch. Then I started gagging on the tube, and threw up into my hair, as I was on my side.

The verdict. 1. I have a hiatal hernia and have to go on prescription meds for it. 2. The Dr. saw some abnormal cells in my esophagus and suspects esophagitis - just not sure what kind, hence the biopsy. I have to go back in 4 weeks to get the biopsy results. I'm trying not to stress.

splitimage

[yellowted]

i have had a hiatus hernia for a few years now, as long as i eat sensibly, stay away from foods with a high fat or spice content and take prescribed antacids it is not a major thing to live with compared to my other problems. i never ate junk foods before so it is not difficult to eat healthily now!

[TerryL]

you poor thing! i can't believe you came to halfway during the procedure. that should never have happened. i hope you can talk about it with your gastro so that that does not happen again if you ever need another endoscopy.. i wonder if that should be reported to someone? i hope the biopsy will be negative.

[possum220]

My brother woke up during one of his procedures so the next time the gave him more sedation and found it hard to wake him up. Sorry you had such a bad time of it. Having our bodies invaded by objects is just a foreign thing. Hopefully from now you will get the right treatment and get better and better.