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Decided To Get An Endoscopy- Is It Scary?

AlexJ72

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AlexJ72 Apprentice
AlexJ72
Posted

Im afraid of being awake and having that tube shoved down my throat - am i gonna gag and vomit or dry heave? should i be put to sleep?

ive been off gluten for a while but my GI still thinks he can get some idea of whats going on inside..he doubts my intestine has healed completely so he may be able to see some residual damage

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mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

No, the endoscopy is not a scary procedure at all, only the thought of it is scary. You will be medicated (sedated with a drug that will make you forget the procedure entirely) and will have no consciousness of what is happening. Usually, the only after effect you are likely to experience is perhaps a mild sore throat for a day and most don't even have that. Don't be afraid of it.

chiroptera Apprentice
chiroptera
Posted

I have had two endoscopies as an adult and had NO problems at all!

The first one I didn't feel a thing, although for the second I did start to wake up as they were pulling the tube which was rather freaky but not at all painful.

Really, it will be fine and if I had to have another one tomorrow I would be fine with it!

The one "funny" is that be careful who is your designated driver because you will be goofy from the sedation and you never know what you may say!!! :lol: You may just "spill the beans" on something you'd rather not! :o

Tigercat17 Enthusiast
Tigercat17
Posted

The upper endoscopy is a breeze. You'll be asleep the whole time. I was worried too & I keep asking the nurses & doctors to make sure I'm asleep. I'm so glad I went through with the procedure. I just had it done two months ago. That's when they found the celiac & now I know what's wrong & can heal with the gluten free diet. Now my doctor wants to do another one with the Bravo study since I'm still having acid reflux. I think my small intestines are pretty damaged & it's taking a while for me to heal. I probably had celiac for years.

At least you'll know for sure what's going on & it will give them more information. And the drugs are Real Good!

I did have a little sore throat that day, but it was no big deal. Really. Don't be afraid -You'll be fine! :)

Ahorsesoul Enthusiast
Ahorsesoul
Posted

The new drugs they use now are fantastic. You won't mind at all. I was worried because I always was vomiting after being put to sleep for surgery. I'd just had eye surgery in Sept, awake but drugged, it was great. Didn't mind a bit.

I know I was asleep during my colonoscopy but I do not remember anything except arriving at the hospital. Same with my dh, he wanted to go shopping after having his done. He doesn't remember it at all.

Took a friend for her endoscopy. She'd had one about 10 years ago that ended up not being finished and with her admitted into the hospital because she'd gotten so upset and couldn't breathe. Of course she was highly upset to have another one. She sailed through it without one problem. All because of the new drugs.You'll love it.

You can do this. Besure to report back how it went and the results.

luvs2eat Collaborator
luvs2eat
Posted

No prep ('cept no eating after like 11 pm...) UNLIKE a colonoscopy... they put you into a really nice sleep... heated hospital blankets... that test was one of the best I've ever had!!

psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted

I have had it done twice; no worries. I was sedated and have no memory of the actual procedure and there were no aftereffects other than wooziness from the sedative for a few hours.

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grainfree Newbie
grainfree
Posted

I echo everyone here in their experience to the endoscopy - no problem whatsoever. And the good news is, once its done, its done, and you can move on to recovery.

luvthelake21 Rookie
luvthelake21
Posted

My daughter was 10 when she had hers (three years ago) when we got home she called her girlfriends and told them the only thing she did not like about the test was they left her gown open in the front and she was mortified, modesty sure kicks in at a early age LOL. You will be fine. Let us know.

  • 9 years later...
Minny Rookie
Minny
Posted

I have been reading these positive messages...thank you. I have my endoscopy in three weeks and my anxiety is already at a maximum. I have been told even with sedation I will feel everything. Someone also said you are 'pinned' down but the nurses. I am really scared. I know the results could be even more scary but I can't move beyond freezing when I think of having the procedure.  I have a very sensitive gag reflex (had a piece of bacon rind lodged in my throat when I was a child....no longer a meat eater!!! and still have bad dreams about mum trying to remove it) I struggle even cleaning my teeth. I don't know what to do. Can anyone  help? Is there anyone in England who has had the procedure and found it to be the same as the ones posted here? Thanks in advance.

M 

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
2 hours ago, Minny said:

I have been reading these positive messages...thank you. I have my endoscopy in three weeks and my anxiety is already at a maximum. I have been told even with sedation I will feel everything. Someone also said you are 'pinned' down but the nurses. I am really scared. I know the results could be even more scary but I can't move beyond freezing when I think of having the procedure.  I have a very sensitive gag reflex (had a piece of bacon rind lodged in my throat when I was a child....no longer a meat eater!!! and still have bad dreams about mum trying to remove it) I struggle even cleaning my teeth. I don't know what to do. Can anyone  help? Is there anyone in England who has had the procedure and found it to be the same as the ones posted here? Thanks in advance.

M 

Have you talked to a nurse or your doctor about these fears? They might be able to reassure you. Hopefully some of our members from the UK will respond but you may want to start a new thread to ask them about their experiences with endos in your country.

Minny Rookie
Minny
Posted
6 hours ago, ravenwoodglass said:

Have you talked to a nurse or your doctor about these fears? They might be able to reassure you. Hopefully some of our members from the UK will respond but you may want to start a new thread to ask them about their experiences with endos in your country.

Thank you I didn't think of doing that

M

Minny Rookie
Minny
Posted

Hi

Sorry, I don't know how to start a new thread!!!! Can you help?

M

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
2 hours ago, Minny said:

Hi

Sorry, I don't know how to start a new thread!!!! Can you help?

M

If you go to the top of the Prediagnosis thread (or any other) you will see a red box that says 'start new topic' if you click on that you will be able to start a new thread.

chocolatesunrise Explorer
chocolatesunrise
Posted

I am also very encouraged by all the positive things people are saying about endoscopy. I have one scheduled in about three weeks as well and I am terrified!!  So good to hear about all these positive experiences!!

Donna Sue Newbie
Donna Sue
Posted
On 8/23/2019 at 5:07 PM, chocolatesunrise said:

I am also very encouraged by all the positive things people are saying about endoscopy. I have one scheduled in about three weeks as well and I am terrified!!  So good to hear about all these positive experiences!!

I had one a couple of weeks ago. I was given an anesthetic. I did fine ,no memories. My throat was a little tender for about three days. 

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