terrified of endoscopy

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tmgirl

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If your talking about the scope they put down your throat to check things out, I just had that done and was not looking forward to it at all. They used Conscious sedation during the procedure also a colonoscopy and I woke up feeling fine. Did not notice any sore throat or hoarseness of anything. Good Luck
 
I have one a upper GI tomorrow which I am absolutely NOT looking forward to. Usual fears, anxious about the actualy procedure and fearful that they might find something very nasty! :(
 
You will be fine! Trust me! I had my first one done last Jan. I was terrified and it was over in no time. And they found nothing wrong with me. I still have reflux on and off but no damage. Just relax and go through with it and you will be glad you did for peace of mind! Good luck!
 
I am so glad things went well for you mucous! I knew it would. And I am glad it wasn't anything serious they found. The hernia thing is treatable! So glad its all behind you! Now enjoy the holidays!:)
 
i have to agree... i was terrified before my endoscopy but it really was absolutly fine,not painful atall and only slighly uncomfortable . u will be fine goodluck x
 
Thanks TedRAB, fingers crossed and yes the peace of mind will be great for Christmas (touch wood!) Will let you know tomorrow. RegarRAB
 
Don't be terrified. It is a pretty common procedure. They usually give you something to relax you and you won't even know it has been done. I have had it with a relaxer and without, either way, it is not painful.

Sunny
 
Well had my endoscopy yesterday and have to say that it was not as bad as I expected. I did have the mild sedation (not sure how mild because I can't really remeraber much). I do remeraber making a bit of a gagging noise at one point but nothing to be frightened of.

Anyway the upshot is that I do have a hiatus hernia but everything else is normal (always feared something worse than hernia).

I am continuing on the pantoprazole and also have to take some domperidone once a day to speed up digestion.

I am on a bit of a health kick at the moment and have joined a gym which I am enjoying (especially the pool and steam room), so hope to try and reduce the stress triggers of my reflux.

Good luck to all of you who are still waiting for endoscopys.

RegarRAB
 
Apparently I am one of the rare people that remerabers the entire procedure despite the sedative they give you. Here is a blow by blow of how mine went. It is nothing to be afraid of. (Unless you take Valium often- as I do for panic attacks- you are unlikely to remeraber anything later).

First they prep you- you change into a gown and they put you on an IV.

Then they wheel your bed into the OR and they hook you up to the machines that will monitor your blood pressure and heart rate. I was nervous prior to the procedure, so mine were a bit elevated. ;)

The doctor arrives and they spray the back of your throat with a rather nasty tasting nurabing solutions. Really, this is the worst part.

My doctor gave me a rather stiff dose of a sedative- felt something like Valium but stronger, through my IV. At first I felt a bit sick to my stomach, which they said would pass momentarily and it did. Then I just felt extremely relaxed.

The doctor will have you roll on your side. He will insert a plastic guide into your mouth that both holRAB your mouth open and guides the scope to your throat.

The doctor will apply pressure on the scope and request that you swallow. As soon as you swallow, the scope is in your throat. You don't feel much there. I was able to feel the scope a little in my stomach - I felt it puff my stomach up with air, then pull the air back out. The doctor may take samples from your stomach to test for h. pylori or other, and he'll take pictures.

When done, the doctor will remove the scope.

The entire procedure seemed to last just 5 minutes or so. I could have a time lapse there due to the drugs they use, though.

What you do not need to be afraid of: It won't hurt. You don't gag. You don't feel like you're choking. You breathe normally the entire time. And, at least in my case, they sedate you but don't fully put you under, which I prefer because I don't like to be knocked out.

After the procedure they will let you lay there for a while- you might fall asleep. Then they will wheel you into recovery, where they keep an eye on you. When you are able to swallow and your gag reflex returns, they will release you.
 
I was absolutely terrified as well. My first one was almost 20 years ago and even though they told me I was going to be in a "twighlight" state, I was fully aware of EVERYTHING that happened. I had nightmares about it. SO I put off having another one until this past February. I explained my fears and asked the doctor if I could be totally put to sleep. She agreed and the procedure was perfectly fine.

I was MUCH MUCH MUCH happier being totally knocked out. It made me feel better ahead of time.

Good luck.
 
I have to have one too! Mine will have to wait till next yr when we get some money because there is No way I can afford it right now :(
 
My gag reflex is so bad that my doctor can't even use a tongue depressor, but I have to say that I didn't feel a thing during this procedure. Piece of cake.
 
Would you mind telling me what treatment they recommended for your hernia? Are they just watching it or are you having surgery? Thank you, Michelle
 
one of the easiest procedures i've had done. over in no time, and i didn't feel a thing afterwarRAB, other than a little groggy from the anathesia. believe me, you have nothing to worry about.
 
Please don't be terrified. It's more uncomfortable and weird than painful. It's worse when they spray your throat, and when the tube goes past the mouth and into the esophagus. Aside from that, it's very doable.
 
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