A Little Scared

[jknnej]

Ok, so I just need a little reassurance about it. It's on Monday and I'm a bit scared. Will it hurt? Will I throw up? Gag a lot? I have an absolute terror about throwing up!!!

Please don't share horror stories-but any good experiences would be great!!

[Emme999]

Don't worry! I was scared too, but this is what happened (using "conscious sedation"):

I was wheeled into the room where they do their business and I said to the nurse, "Okay, I've got this anxiety disorder.. and I'm kinda claustrophobic.." He smiled and said, "You sound like everybody else My job is to make sure that you are absolutely comfortable through this whole procedure. Don't worry, I'll take care of you!" Then he started to tell me what was going to happen.. "First, we're going to spray this numbing stuff in your throat. It's supposed to taste like bananas but it really tastes like banana flavored antifreeze " Then I saw this nurse coming towards me with a the spray stuff...

Then, what seemed like a few minutes later, I said, "So.. when are you going to do this?"

My nurse laughed and said, "We already did "

I had no problems afterward - no sore throat, nothing. It was absolutely fine.

You will be just fine my friend *hug*

- Michelle

[jenvan]

No worries, I've had 3 with no issues. I had a bit of a sore throat after my last one, but nothing more than that. My experience with 3 different docs it that you get a combo of anestethia drugs--one to put you out and one to give you amnesia in case you happen to see a bit of it. Either way you'll be under and shouldn't really notice anything... Good luck girl!

Oh--the worst part for me was being freakin' starving from fasting until the procedure was over.

[celiac3270]

I've had two with no issues...slight sore throat after the first, no symptoms after the second. LOL...yes, the worst part is not eating. I was nervous for the first as well, but the second was a breeze since I was familiar with the procedure. I was put out completely for both--they often do that with kids. It doesn't hurt, you won't throw up, and you shouldn't gag because they spray the back of your throat to stop the gag reflex (temporarily, of course )

[mytummyhurts]

This will sound kind of messed up, but I kind of enjoyed mine. At least the drugs made me feel really relaxed afterwards. I don't remember very much after they started hooking me up. So, don't worry about it. Schedule it for the morning and the fasting won't be as bad, because you're asleep for most of it. I scheduled mine for the afternoon and suffered while hungry at work.

[steve-o]

I had my endoscopy a couple weeks ago, and I was really nervous about it too....but it was so easy. The worst part is the anticipation.

They had me gargle with some nasty stuff to numb my throat. Then the doctor told me to lie down on my side...and the next thing I remember, I was waking up in my bed at home. My girlfriend went with me to the appointment, and she said the doctor talked to me afterwards for a while, but I have no recollection what-so-ever about this. I was really out of it, from the sedative. They call it "conscious sedation", but it knocks you out like a light.

I didn't have a sore throat afterwards. I did have a strange feeling of tenderness in my stomach and esophagus when I ate, for the next couple days. But it wasn't uncomfortable...just a little weird, since I'd never felt such a feeling before.

[jknnej]

You guys are SO wonderful!! I am already feeling less scared!!

I can't wait for it to be over!!!

Keep the stories (good ones of course:)coming if you haven't posted yet!!

[VydorScope]

I have had two, and my stories are identical to those above.. . sore throat after the second one.

BIG BIG IMPORTANT NOTE: Make sure you bring someone that you trust to talk to the doctor after the procedure and tell them to take notes. It is very likely you will not remeber talking to the doctor AT ALL. So you need some one there to ask all the questions and write down the answers.

[ddeatley]

I have had two also with similar results. The gargle is really bad tasting, but nothing to be afraid of. I never have slept so well in my life. If you are sleep deprived, you will certainly get caught up on your sleep. I actually looked forward to the sleeping. On both occassions I did not have any sore throat or discomfort in my belly despite him taking a number of biopsies. I did remember talking to the doctor afterwards, but the suggestion of having someone with you to take notes is a good one, just in case you don't remember. My doctor also gives me a written report of what he tells me as well.

I think you will have a similar experience as the rest of us. It certainly is nothing to be worried about and I find it a relief as I look at it as a first step to getting better.

Good luck, you won't need it though as you will go through it with flying colors.

Dennis

[VydorScope]

Yea, I forgot to mention, you have NO PAIN SENSORS in your intestine where they will be taking the biospys from, so you will not feel that.

I slept for several hours after the procedure... hehe.

[celiac3270]

Yea, I forgot to mention, you have NO PAIN SENSORS in your intestine where they will be taking the biospys from, so you will not feel that.

I slept for several hours after the procedure... hehe.

True--you won't feel it. I was also exhausted after. I wanted to sleep even more!

[Guest Eloisa]

When I had my endoscopy I didn't feel a thing and it was the best sleep I'd had in a long time.