Type Of Endoscopy Sedation...should I Do It?

[Kimbalou]

Today I saw the GI doc. Of course, he suggested a biopsy to know for sure if I have Celiac. He said the blood test is 80-90% accurate....but he says it's good to get the endoscopy for accurate results. We talked about sedation options. I have always needed a lot more sedation/pain meds than the average person. I need medicine other than Novacaine at the dentist. My epidurals never worked very well during my deliveries...sometimes they had to be re-inserted. I had carpal tunnel surgery with just Ativan and a local anesthetic. But the thought of an endoscopy scares me. He said the total time is 1 1/2- 2 hrs! Is the tube inside that whole time? I requested a general anesthesia, because I'm afraid the local anesthesia won't be enough. Now I'm having second thoughts. Do I really need a general?? I don't want to be on the table having a nervous breakdown or be too awake.

Also, he told me to eat as usual, and to not stay on the gluten-free diet...which I've been on for 10 days now. He said it is possible to have a negative biopsy if I am gluten-free. It just doesn't feel right to eat what I want. I think I should stay gluten-free...I really don't think my intestines will heal in a week! The appt. is set for next week. I am really debating if I should do this or not...and if I should go with a general or not. What have you done? Were you awake during this??

I'm such a chicken, I guess.

[Lisa]

I was under general. I don't remember a thing until after the procedure was over. Once I got home, it was the best nap I have had in years.

The procedure lasts only about 15 minutes and it was a breeze. The worst part of it was the anxiety prior. It left me with a very mild sore throat.

Anytime you have had intestinal issues, it's good to have a base line test. Not all roads lead to Celiac, and you would want to eliminate any other issues via the endoscopy.

No worries.

[ravenwoodglass]

I have had two endos both done with colonoscopies at the same time. I also have a resistance to many meds and the first combo was done with the 'twilight' drugs and because my large intestine is twisted it was not a pleasent experience and they were not able to complete the colonoscopy and I had to have a lot more sedation for them to finally get me out enough to go to the endo. Because of that the second time they did the double scope under general anesthesia and all went fine. I had no ill effects at all the second time and was in and out in less than an hour. I wouldn't hesitate to have the procedures done again but only under general anesthesia. I would also follow your doctors advice and get back on gluten until the scope is done. You also of course have the option of skipping the endo altogether. If your blood work was strongly positive and especially if you have already gotten some degree of relief from the diet you may want to wait and have the endo done only if you are still having problems after a few months on the diet so they can see if you have another issue that may be affecting your healing.

[CarolinaKip]

After everything I'd been through, my endo was a breeze. I had an IV and what I call the "happy juice" I don't remember anything from the time I was given that until I woke up. When I woke up, I went back to sleep because it was the best sleep I'd had in a long time! I would think if you don't respond to the normal sedation they would go from there. This was my second endo, and both were easy. Don't be afraid! The DR will spray some down your throat to numb it..mine said it was the worse part. It wasn't to me, but I'd been through so many test, painful and a surgery to get my DX. I'm a newbie so someone help me, would sedation be different for this poster than pain block? Just thinking??? Hugs!

[Kimbalou]

I'm considering waiting to see if the diet helps...it has helped some over the last 10 days. Then, if after a few months I still feel bad, maybe I will think about the endoscopy. My blood test was strongly positive for Celiac, so I don't see the need for endoscopy, except to get rid of any nagging doubts about it in the future. Also, I guess it will show anything else that could be wrong. If the tube is only down for around 15 min., that makes me feel better. I guess the total time is for sedation, etc.

[Lisa]

I'm considering waiting to see if the diet helps...it has helped some over the last 10 days. Then, if after a few months I still feel bad, maybe I will think about the endoscopy. My blood test was strongly positive for Celiac, so I don't see the need for endoscopy, except to get rid of any nagging doubts about it in the future. Also, I guess it will show anything else that could be wrong. If the tube is only down for around 15 min., that makes me feel better. I guess the total time is for sedation, etc.

Of course, it's your choice. But, I wanted point out if the diet does not work for you, you will have to reintroduce gluten for a three month period for optimum accuracy in testing. Many people find it difficult to make themselves sick again, for the testing.

If you are comfortable with your tests being conclusive....begin the diet and learn everything you can. The diet can be tricky. Welcome.

[jess-gf]

When I asked my GI about stopping eating Gluten before my Endo, he said that 2 weeks would not be long enough for it to completely heal (my endo appointment was within 2 weeks of the initial visit). I had not been gluten free at all up until that point, however, and my blood tests backed up Celiac. If you've only been gluten free for 10 days and your endo is going to be in the next few days I think you should be okay.. but I am a newbie to all this and the other members here probably have better info I guess it might also depend on how "strict" you have been with being gluten free and how likely it may be that you've been getting cc'd or glutened without knowing it.

As for the procedure - it was a piece of cake! Easy peasy. I went in, they prepped me up, rolled me into the room and gave me some drugs and I was pretty much out. It only lasted 30mins. I had a slight sore throat after but that was gone by the next day. The only thing weird for me was the "ringing in the ears" the drugs gave me right before I went out gave me a bit of a mini-trip. Afterwards my bf drove me home and I had some tea and then took a nap on the couch.

[cassP]

i dont know what exactly you're going to need with your sedation tolerance... but most people have a very pleasant experience while just under twilight.

i did not have the endoscopy- only the colonoscopy. my procedure itself was less than 30 min. so im assuming your doc means the whole complete process with prep & recovery would be almost 2 hours- but i could be wrong.

i was under twilight for my colonoscopy-> they used Diprivan. i did not wake up or experience a thing!!

they put me under Versed when they took my wisdom teeth out. i actually woke up during that procedure- but nothing hurt at all- and they put me right back under.

if at all possible they can do u under twilight- i think thats much safer than general. but definitely discuss this with your doc- everyone's different- everyone has different thresholds & reactions.

didnt u say u had a baby????? this should be nothing then.

and i agree too- if your blood tests are strongly positive- you always have the option of skipping it. unless you feel really bad and wanna make sure everythings ok in there.

[SGWhiskers]

For me, the twilight was the best option. I did feel the scope 2x. I suspect it was when they were taking it in and out. It felt like pressure, not pain. Maybe like swallowing a bite of food that was way too big. Other than that, I was asleep for the whole procedure. I did have a couple days of heartburn though. It was similar when I had my wisdom teeth out. I felt one part of that procedure, but didn't have pain. I was under general anestheisa that time. I'm a lightweight with alcohol, but probably pretty normal with pain killers.

With positive blood work, you may choose to skip the biopsy. I'm glad I did mine, because I know how severe my damage was and I've seen the faces of my doctors go from skepticism to agreement when I mention that my celiac was diagnosed via biopsy and bloodwork. I also learned that the reason for my stomach pain was chemical gastritis from all the NSAIDS and antidepressants I was taking to manage my symptoms.

Remember that even if the biopsy is negative, you should remaing gluten free because of the positive blood work. At minimum, do a 3 month very strict gluten free (and lactose free)diet. Really though, the bloodwork has already diagnosed you and you should remain gluten free for life. The biopsy is to confirm it and to look for other problems.

There is no way, I would want to delay the biopsy and have to go back on gluten. That would be torture. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and very few accidental glutenings.