Nervous About Endoscopy

[floridanative]

Hi all. Well my biopsy is fianally happening tomorrow. I have to have it done at a hospital instead of the Dr. office but now I don't have a cop-ay so I won't complain. It's at 1 pm tomorrow so I'll try and sleep in since I can't eat or drink before the procedure. The doc asked me if I wanted anything to sedate me and I said -yes, lots! To those of you who have had this procedure before, did they put you out like a light or did they just make you groggy? I can't stand the thought of being awake at all and intend to beg to be put out but the doctor said something like 'we can sedate you a little'. That's not what I think I want but I guess I may not have a say in the matter. Thoughts, anyone?

[AmandaD]

Do not worry. They put me under mild sedation but I honestly don't remember a thing or didn't feel a thing - they said it would make me have amnesia. It was the best 3 hour sleep I've ever had. I would totally do it again...amanda in wisconsin

[carriecraig]

They can put you completely out if you ask for it. My doctor starts with this, and if I wanted a local I could have had it, but I opted for being out completely. It only takes about 15 mins or so, and the nap is so nice!

[jerseyangel]

Hi Floridanative--I was completely out for mine. They first put a seditive in my IV that made me very relaxed. I really don't remember anything after that until I woke up. I felt fine when I woke up, had a little apple juice and got dressed a little while later. I wasn't groggy either, just felt rested. I was nervous before mine, but there was no need to be. You will do fine I know you've been waiting for this day for a while now. Best of luck--let us know how you do

[floridanative]

Thanks everyone. Now I feel better that it will be like the colonscopy - don't remember a thing except going to sleep and waking up. Yeah!

[jkmunchkin]

You have absolutely nothing to be worried about!! I've had 2 in the past couple of years. The 1st was actually when I had self diagnosed myself (correctly) with H Pylori. The stories about this endoscopy have become legendary. Apparently, according to my then boyfriend (now husband) I told the nurses several very personal stories I would not have wanted to repeat. Made several phone calls I to this day don't remember. And best yet, convinced my boyfriend to take me shopping for a purse I wanted, where in the store I threw myself on the check out counter when I no longer could stand on my own and he had walked away for a moment. I do remember the horrified look of the sales lady - lol!!

I managed to make it out to dinner with friends that night after a nap, but they still talk about how completely out of it I was that night.

WHile the 2nd endoscopy was not nearly as eventful (I think they gave me a tad bit to many drugs the 1st time), I don't remember anything besides them giving me an IV to go to sleep and then waking up in another room.

[Lisa]

I was out completely and do not remember a thing that the doctor told my husband and myself. So... make sure that you bring someone who can tell you what the doctor said. You will not remember.

Good luck, it's a breeze.

[debmidge]

ditto on what last poster said; and tell Dr. to put you out for procedure.

My husband had it a year after celiac disease diagnosis, put it off because he was scared basically. And when he finally had it done, he said he should have done it sooner as it was nothing to be scared about. Then I gave him a "love tap" for all the aggravation he put me through over this!

[ownedbykira]

I had a colonscopy and an endoscopy just before chrissy...

All I remember was the drip, being asked to roll over on my side and a needle stick in my arm...next thing I remember is being in recovery. I was asleep for about a 1/2 hour and then they gave me some food and booted me out of the place. According to my aneathitist (????) bill I was under for 44 minutes. One thing I was annoyed about was that I could not remember what the doctor told me So when I got home that afternoon, everyone asked, what the doctor say, and I could not remember,

[Rachel--24]

Apparently, according to my then boyfriend (now husband) I told the nurses several very personal stories I would not have wanted to repeat. Made several phone calls I to this day don't remember. And best yet, convinced my boyfriend to take me shopping for a purse I wanted, where in the store I threw myself on the check out counter when I no longer could stand on my own and he had walked away for a moment. I do remember the horrified look of the sales lady - lol!!

I thought I was goofy afterwards. I don't feel so bad now.

Floridanative,

Like everyone says...its a breeze. I have to agree with Amanda....I'd totally do it again. I felt so relaxed afterward...I felt like I'd slept for hours. It was probably really only 15 minutes or so but anyways it felt good.

[floridanative]

Well I just got back from my endoscopy and obviously I'm wide awake. I begged to be put completely out and the nurse warned me that the doc doing the procedure didn't like to do that. So he gave me 'conscious sedation' which meant I felt that huge thing in my mouth, but not the tubes going down. I could hear and see everything pretty much. It only took about 10 minutes but if I ever had to have another one, I would NOT go back to this doc. I told him when we set the appt. for the test I need to be completely out but I guess my words fell on deaf ears both times. I complained the the nurse later and she actually said 'well you know you can always chose another doctor' and she was being quite sincere not sarcastic or anything. I was surprised and appreciative of her comment. Doc says I have to call his office for results next Thurs. He did take more than one biopsy so that was good at least.

Oh I almost forgot - once I was put in the procedure room about 12:55 pm for a 1 pm appt., the doc finally showed up at 1:45 - that was nice. The nurse was thoughtful enough to go find my husband to let him know we would not be leaving at 2 pm as previously stated to us.

[sillyyak]

I had both my endoscopy and colonoscopy at the same time. I was OUT. They gave me versed and demerol. I remember NOTHING about the procedure.. thank goodness.. but I did have a sore throat and some abdominal pain after.

[jerseyangel]

Hi!--Glad it's over, and you're back home. That Doctor sounds like a real peach

[floridanative]

Hey Jerseyangel - I agree about the doc and the nurses let on that maybe he wasn't the nicest guy they knew which didn't surprise me. But they did say he's a really good doctor regarding investigating problems for patients until he figures it out. That's all I want and he has already figured out that my anemia seems to be gone and wants me to take the iron for a few more months to rebuild my stores which are now finally in the low normal range. He thinks whatever caused the anemia could have messed up my ttg level too which has now gone down from 10 to 7 and he thinks if we retest in a few months is will be back to normal.

It's looking quite suspicious that Neuronton (drug I took in 2004 for complication from shingles) may have caused my problems. Pfizer who I called to inquire about anemia being a side effect of it, has sent me two letters requesting the name of the dr. who presribed it to me. They indicated that they will send me the letters repeatedly until I send it back as they legally have to report any drug side effects to the FDA. If the drug could cause suicidal behaviour in bi-polar patients it could probably cause my anemia. So in the event that I don't have celiac disease, I want to thank everyone here who has been so helpful. This last few months has been quite a rollercoaster with being tested for several cancers and so forth, and I could not have gotten through it without all the support I found on this site. For that I'll forever be grateful to you all!

[MACE]

Well I just got back from my endoscopy and obviously I'm wide awake. I begged to be put completely out and the nurse warned me that the doc doing the procedure didn't like to do that. So he gave me 'conscious sedation' which meant I felt that huge thing in my mouth, but not the tubes going down. I could hear and see everything pretty much. It only took about 10 minutes but if I ever had to have another one, I would NOT go back to this doc. I told him when we set the appt. for the test I need to be completely out but I guess my words fell on deaf ears both times. I complained the the nurse later and she actually said 'well you know you can always chose another doctor' and she was being quite sincere not sarcastic or anything. I was surprised and appreciative of her comment. Doc says I have to call his office for results next Thurs. He did take more than one biopsy so that was good at least.

Oh I almost forgot - once I was put in the procedure room about 12:55 pm for a 1 pm appt., the doc finally showed up at 1:45 - that was nice. The nurse was thoughtful enough to go find my husband to let him know we would not be leaving at 2 pm as previously stated to us.

WHEN I HAD MY ENDOSCOPY I WAS OUT LIKE A LIGHT. THEY PUT AND IV IN MY ARM IN A HOLDING ROOM. THEY STARTED WHEELING ME TO THE TESTING ROOM AND THAT IS THE LAST I REMEMBER UNTIL THE TEST WAS OVER. IT HAS BEEN THE SAME WAY WHEN I HAVE HAD SEVERAL COLONOSCOPY IN THE PAST. HAVE A SISTER IN LAW THAT TOLD ME SHE WAS NOT PUT ALL THE WAY OUT FOR HER COLONOSCOPY. I HAD SAID SOMETHING TO MY DOCTOR ABOUT THAT FACT WHEN I WENT FOR THE ENDOSCOPY. HE TOLD ME THAT NO GOOD DOCTOR WOULD DO A COLONOSCOPY OR EVEN ENDOSCOPY WITHOUT PUTTING THE PERSON OUT ENOUGH NOT TO FEEL IT. I WOULD BE LOOKING HARD FOR A NEW DOCTOR AND MAKE SURE HE WILL BEFORE DOING ANY TEST WITH HIM. I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN UP AND LEFT IF THEY HAD TOLD ME THEY WERE NOT GOING TO PUT ME OUT AS I HAD ASK.

[Rachel--24]

I think I would have freaked out if the doctor told me I would have to be awake...even *slightly* awake.

I feel bad for you...at least its over and done with.

[floridanative]

Thanks again to all who responded to my note regarding biopsy. However, I have another question regarding what biopsy lab results should look like. I had to wait until today to get my test results but the nurse called me back and left me a v-mail stating that even though mt test results are there, the Dr. isn't and he has to interpret them. Oh and he's out tomorrow too. She said she put my file and phone # on his desk for him to get back to me but I should still call back Monday since he's so busy. I'm glad I wasn't here when she called because I'm sure I would have been rude to her when she's not at fault. But really, what the heck do these doctors think???!!! And if my biopsy was perfectly normal, wouldnt' that be easy for the nurse to interpret? If so, I'm guessing my results may not be what I was hoping for. Anyone out there know what biopsy results say or look like or anything? I've got five more days to worry now.

[MACE]

that is what happened with mine and i had to wake 4 days for the doctor to come back from his vacation. she would not tell me anything. my biopsy did not show anything, but was told that it happens that was sometimes if they do not do biopsy in a place where there is damage. have any of you been told that about the biopsy??

[floridanative]

that is what happened with mine and i had to wake 4 days for the doctor to come back from his vacation. she would not tell me anything. my biopsy did not show anything, but was told that it happens that was sometimes if they do not do biopsy in a place where there is damage. have any of you been told that about the biopsy??

Thanks Mace - I was told the same thing regarding how biopsies are taken. Thankfully, my Dr. took three samples for that reason. He even gave me a test page with marking of where each sample was taken from. Now if I can just get him to call me with the results.....

[Lisa]

When I was mostly away after my biopsy, who the GI guy say blunting...they gave me juice and a cheese craker.....go figure

[floridanative]

Lisa - thanks for making me laugh!! A cracker - seriously ?!

[floridanative]

I just need to vent about this idiot GI that did my biopsy. Still today no one has bothered to call me with my results which they have admitted are in. The doc was to be in today so his nurse told me he'd call me. When he hadn't called by 10:30 I left a v-mail. Then I left another v-mail at 2:30. Now I have resorted to faxing them, just once a minute ago. I'm out almost all day tomorrow so I'm guessing if they don't call in the next few minutes, I'll be in lingo until at least Wed. But I'm in the office all day that day so I'm going to resend my fax every hour on the hour, hoping they get tired of me wasting their time, paper and toner and get someone to freakin' call me. Okay, now I feel better. And the way I see it, if it was bad news, surely they would feel compelled to call me instead of ignoring me.

[jerseyangel]

I'm not surprised--like we talked about last week--the same thing happened to me. How can they not know that we're waiting nervously and all we ask for is a simple phone call. The doctor dosen't even have to make the call himself--he can read the results and ask a nurse to call. That's who finally gave me the news, a nurse, after 4 attempts by me to talk to the doctor. The doctor, himself, had told me to call in a certain amount of time (I forget now how long) if I didn't get a call. That's when I started calling and getting the same runaround as you. All you can do is keep at them, as you are doing. I hope you hear something soon

Oh--I almost forgot, how was the visit and the baby?

[floridanative]

You are right about everything you said. But I do think this doc is particularly inconsiderate. He was almost an hour late ......never mind. He just called as I was typing and I have classic sprue. According to the labs, the dr. says it's absolute clear, not even the slightlest question. Oh well, guess I should have gone to get a Krispy Kreme this morning after all. I know I should be thankful that I have something I can treat without chemo and I am but right now I need to cry myself out before my hubby gets home. He gets so upset when I'm upset. We'll clean out the pantry this weekend and until then I'll just stick with naturally gluten-free foods. I'm sure I'll be in touch with a million questions soon. Thanks Patti for being there.

Oh and our little niece was so tiny and cute. She hardly ever even cries. She already has a wardrobe fit for a movie star. Thanks for asking.

[jerseyangel]

Tiffany--Take some time to digest the news--I'll PM you later