Early Learnings and Advice for New Celiac Patients

[Pegleg84 50]

Hi all

Probably a million people have asked this before, But I have an endoscopy scheduled in a couple weeks, and am wondering what the procedure is like? I know i can't eat anything for at least 6 hours before (apt is at noon, so no breakfast and nothing the evening before, to be safe).

As for the actual procedure, do they drug you or put you under? Should I have someone to help me get home? Can you eat right after? etc?

So you know, I've been on the gluten-free diet for over 3 years. This is not to get a diagnosis, but to check things out and make sure there aren't any other problems. I am going to ask if they can take biopsy samples anyway, just for the sake of it. (My Dr is referring me to a GI, which will take a few months, so she thought I'd might as well let them take a look around first)

Any info and tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Peg

[mushroom 1,209]

They usually give you heavy sedation with a drug that makes you forget everything that has happened. It is a pretty much non-event from the recollection point of view. You do need someone to drive you home, however. You can eat afterwards whenever you feel like it. They advise no alcohol that day.

[IrishHeart 1,640]

In addition to what shroom has told you, I will offer you this thought.

Try to get the earliest possible appointment of the day on the schedule as you will be fasting the night before.

It's about as easy peasy as it gets for a gastro test.

It's not at all uncomfortable, it's over in no time, there are no side effects or ramifications and (this one is a big yaay!) the prep for it is nothing like a colonoscopy prep.

[Pegleg84 50]

Yeah, I dodged the colonoscopy bullet. My Dr thought I should do one, but when I went in for the consult the GI at the scope clinic thought there really wasn't any reason to put me through all that. We'll see what the GI I finally get referred to says.

So, really no side effects other than a bit groggy?

My appt is at noon. I'm going to a clinic not far from my home (couple subway stops). My hope is to stumble down the street and have a congratulatory lunch of gluten-free fish and chips! Or there's a nice salad place around the corner from there too. The last thing I want to have to do is go home and cook. Unfortunately my BF is out of town that day, but I can either get a cab home, or have another friend meet me.

[GottaSki 460]

Really no side effects other than groggy - the groggy can be a little or a lot! They usually require someone to pick you up - if not during an appointment, they usually send written confirmation of your procedure that will spell out the need for a ride home.

You may feel like going out after, but I would stock a simple meal or two in your frig in case you feel more than a little groggy. My husband was ready to eat anything in sight when he was done with a colonoscopy, but when I have had my endoscopies I don't feel like doing much of anything after. Depends how you respond to the meds.

[IrishHeart 1,640]

but when I have had my endoscopies I don't feel like doing much of anything after. Depends how you respond to the meds.

This is me because I respond poorly to meds and anesthesia

however, I know others who have had them done and they went to work after. Go figure.

I agree with GottaSki about having someone meet you as you are coming out of the procedure. No hospital I have ever been to for a GI procedure would let you out the door alone.

[Celiac Mindwarp 125]

In the uk it seems you can usually choose anaesthetic throat spray or seditive.

I can report 2 experiences of throat spray. My friend hated it, as you are awake to gag, and would go for sedative next time.

I hate drugs like those, and while I would not do it for fun, it was ok. The staff were great, and told me when I needed to relax, and to remember to breathe! Once I worked out that you really could 'breathe around' the tube I was ok. There was some gagging, but once I relaxed it was much better.

I have had worse dentist visits!

Not sure if this applies to your situation. Someone might be interested I guess...

Afterwards there was a mild feeling in my throat, and I was very tired. That might have just been relief at it being over though. I was fine next morning.

I'd agree the get the first appointment of the session if you can.

It is all quite fresh as I had mine 4 days ago!

Good luck, you'll be ok

[Pegleg84 50]

Thanks guys

Unfortunately, my appt time is already set for noon. I'm going to sucker a friend of mine into meeting me, and will either treat him to lunch if i'm up for it, or just get home and crawl into bed. It's been an awfully long time since I had a sedative, but it will probably do a number on me...

Well, still have 3 weeks to gear up for this (ie: try to forget about it until the night before)

I'll let you know how it goes.

Peg

[IrishHeart 1,640]

Well, still have 3 weeks to gear up for this (ie: try to forget about it until the night before)

I'll let you know how it goes.

Peg

Do keep us posted and honestly, hon?...it's no big deal, I promise you.

[sa1937 324]

Peg, I felt the same way. My greatest fear was fear itself. I didn't feel anything and I didn't remember a thing. I was loopy afterwards but had made a pot of gluten-free chicken and rice soup and Betty Crocker brownies the day before so my son and daughter-in-law could have lunch with me after they brought me back home.

[psawyer 697]

Peg, as others have said, it is not a big deal. But please take the advice to have someone take you home and make sure you settle in.

[IrishHeart 1,640]

oh yes!

I admit, I was walking "funny" when I came out and I was glad to have hub's arm to lean on. And drive me home!

And as Sylvia says, have some food prepared and waiting for you at home.

And a good movie. Just take it easy afterwards.

Let us know how you make out. We care!

[sa1937 324]

oh yes!

I admit, I was walking "funny" when I came out and I was glad to have hub's arm to lean on. And drive me home!

And as Sylvia says, have some food prepared and waiting for you at home.

And a good movie. Just take it easy afterwards.

Let us know how you make out. We care!

Actually my daughter-in-law had to heat up the soup. And I asked them the same questions half a dozen times...or so I am told. A nice nap in the afternoon might be good, too.

[IrishHeart 1,640]

Actually my daughter-in-law had to heat up the soup. And I asked them the same questions half a dozen times...or so I am told. A nice nap in the afternoon might be good, too.

...and I apparently sang to the hubs all the way home in the car and HE had to make my sammy for me. But I was not hungry until later in the day.

I am not the "norm" however. I react adversely to many drugs.

but whew, I am glad others are chiming in here and admitting they get a tad loopy from the drugs.

Peg, your experience may be different!!!

[shadowicewolf 166]

The stuff they knocked me out with was brutal (I too don't react well to those type of drugs). Last thing i remember is they put this bit thing in my mouth and i was trying to swallow (dry throat) and then the room starting to spin and flip. Don't remember anything well until i'm back in the room they had me first in.

Ugh, do not want to do that again.

I ate when i got back to deal with GERD but thats another story.

[sa1937 324]

...and I apparently sang to the hubs all the way home in the car

Bet you were cute!!!

[Cara in Boston 71]

I was loopy for several hours after the procedure and in no way would have been able to go out to eat. My husband picked me up and dragged me to the car. I made him stop at McDonalds on the way home and scarfed down a Big Mac (which I never really ate before this, so it was weird.) Then I went home and slept/watched TV on and off for a few hours before I felt normal again. I have NO RECOLLECTION of any of this. I do not remember my conversation with the MD after they were done, don't remember drinking juice with the nurse, etc.

Our hospital would not allow patients to leave without a responsible adult. You would not be allowed to take a cab home or the subway either. They also made sure someone else would be home to care for children, etc. and I was instructed to "not make any important decisions or sign any contracts" for the rest of the day. Good thing too.

Cara

[user853 1]

I am a post-anesthesia puker. So, I asked for antinausea drugs and they put them in my IV after the prodecure! I ate on the way home, told my husband the same story over and over again, and slept the rest of the day. Don't expect to do anything afterwards.

[mushroom 1,209]

I am a post-anesthesia puker. So, I asked for antinausea drugs and they put them in my IV after the prodecure! I ate on the way home, told my husband the same story over and over again, and slept the rest of the day. Don't expect to do anything afterwards.

Are you sure it is the anesthesia that makes you puke? I puke too, sometimes for a couple of days, but only if they give me morphine during the anesthesia. On anesthesiologist did this when I specifically instructed him not to

[user853 1]

Are you sure it is the anesthesia that makes you puke? I puke too, sometimes for a couple of days, but only if they give me morphine during the anesthesia. On anesthesiologist did this when I specifically instructed him not to

Yes, definitely anesthesia. I refuse all morphine related pain meds after I freaked out on dilaudid once.

[Pegleg84 50]

Well, considering how much of a lightweight I am, I'm sure i'll be pretty entertaining on the way home.

I'm not afraid of the procedure or the after effects or anything, just wanted to make sure I have all the bases covered and don't end up having to beg a friend to come meet me at the last minute.

My boyfriend is escaping to Chicago that day. Grrrr! I'll have to exaggerate how awful it was just to make him feel guilty (just kidding)

Thanks again!

[kareng 2,144]

One of my boys is a post anesthesia puker. The doc put an anti-nausea med in the IV and that took care of it. He said to tell the anesthia or doc next time and it can be adnministered before he really wakes up.

[Pegleg84 50]

Hi Guys

Had my endoscopy Saturday (ended up being 1pm before I got in. Sooo hungryyyy). They knocked me out, I had a nice nap, and felt pretty ok afterwards. They didn't see anything unusual while in there, but did take biopsy samples. That's definitely not going to show Celiac, but you never know. At least now the GI will have something to go on when my referal finally goes through.

Thanks again for the advice. I did feel much better knowing my friend was there waiting.

Cheers

Peg

[GottaSki 460]

Glad it went well

[Celiac Mindwarp 125]

Well done, nice to get it over with isn't it?

My biopsy came back negative last week, but I was relieved to know there were no big nasties.

On with the adventures, good luck