Anxious about endoscopy next Wednesday.. :(

[Rls1994]

So the time has finally come and I'm anxious as hell. I'm worried that it's going to be a terrifying experience or I'm going to freak out and embarrass myself there. The thing I'm worried about the most is the sedation not working well enough and I will be gagging and everything.. Also, the fact that I'm going to be in a hospital terrifies me since I think they are sv* ridden places (stupid, I know). Do they talk to you before you have the procedure done? 'cause I want to tell them that I'm REALLY nervous about it and want to be sedated.

I just don't know if I can go through this or not since I'm the biggest wimp ever when it comes to medical procedures. This month has been almost PERFECT for me. I've had hardly any nausea waves or anxiety whatsoever (reason why I haven't been on here lately), so I don't want a bad start to May.

[Syrup]

I am so sorry that you're nervous! You are going to be FINE! I've never had one myself though I have had quite a few family members and friends (including children) who have. They will certainly talk to you before the procedure. It's wise for you to tell them your concerns so that they can ease your fears.

You will be sedated which with relax your muscles and there won't be any gagging. They will be sure that you are comfortable and will ensure that you are out before the test is performed (it's really quick!). Remember that they do this multiple times a day and there won't be anything new in your case.

As far as viruses go, yes, they sometimes have outbreaks in the fall/winter in hospitals but #1, it's the end of the season, so I doubt that will be an issue and #2, the section of the hospital you'll be in certainly won't be contaminated with anything as they won't do procedures on ill people. The places that would be an 'issue' would be in the ER or admitted rooms, which you won't have any contact with.

You will be 100% FINE and will be so happy when it's over!

[Syrup]

P.S. Are you having the procedure due to nausea or anxiety or is it something else? It really is a 'no big deal' of a procedure, so if it's for something else I can 100% tell you that you'll get through absolutely fine. If it's for the nausea, and you're feeling better you could postpone if you think it's simply due to anxiety.

[andee]

Hi, I've had one last year and have to have another this year too. I was realllly nervous too, and even told the anesthesia guy about my fear. He was not too nice and just said that the stuff they give me has anti-emetic properties so I don't need any more. Anyway, they will talk to you before, and just be totally honest with them. They brought me in and put a plastic piece in my mouth for them to put the tube in. Then it was lights out!! I know you said they don't put you out but I am sure they will make you very comfortable. I woke up and felt okay but the nurse raised my bed and I felt a little nauseous from that. And they wanted me to start eating crackers and drinking right away, which I didn't want to do...but after a few minutes, I tried to, slowwwwly. Just take your time waking up as they try to rush you sometimes. The best part about this test is you don't have to really prepare or drink any gross stuff. Let us know how you do!!! Good luck!!

[Rls1994]

Thank you two so much! It's nice to see positive experiences with endoscopies, as I've seen and heard a lot of bad experiences with them. Oh, and I'm having it done because I think I'm having reflux but I'm not sure if that even makes sense? I often get these v* tasting burps or bring liquid up but it never feels acidic or anything. I always feel nauseous during these periods as well. I also get heartburn sometimes and it's not very nice. I've been put on Omeprazole for 9 weeks and when I went to see my doctor 4 weeks ago saying that they haven't been working she said enough was enough and to refer me to have the scope done. Can you take your own food in by the way? It's just that I don't really like eating anything from hospitals.

[Rls1994]

Omg.. I just read that if you get sedated then you need to stay in a hospital BED for at least 2 hours after the procedure! Omg why?! I don't mind staying there for 2 hours after, but in a hospital bed?! Also, I'm guessing my Dad will want to use the loo there as he goes very often and then I will be scared that he will catch the sv* since it's in a hospital and it's still doing its rounds here.. Ughhghghgh

[andee]

Hi, you probably can take your own food in...just something light, like plain crackers and something to drink (not water). And mine was done at an outpatient facility, and the stuff they give you is quick acting (I think it's propofol, the Michael Jackson stuff), so you stay until you are awake and alert for the most part. But I don't know what they do in your area. You'll be okay!!

[andee]

Also, yes, don't fool around with reflux and heartburn...get tested. There has been a huge increase in these problems and they can lead to esophageal cancer. Don't mean to scare you but definitely get it done. I have reflux that affected my voice and am just now getting my voice back. So I need to have it done again this year to see how it looks.

[sarahcox]

I just had one and it wasn't bad at all! And remember, you aren't in the regular hospital ward...you are in the GI surgical ward and if someone was sick, they wouldn't be going to get the procedure done!! I asked for an anti emetic just incase but I was fine! The last thing I remember was them telling me to enjoy the nap. I woke up with a mild sore throat and I was hungry. I sipped on some coke and ate some crackers. When I got home, I ate some toast and went back to sleep. You will do great! My daughter gets one every 6 months since she was 6 months old. She is almost 3 now. SHe has done great every single time. Good luck, but you will be great. Just remember, you aren't with the sick people....you will be just fine

[Rls1994]

Thanks a lot you two. Do you have to ring them if you want a certain sedation? Like a stronger one or whatever. Or do I just go to the hospital and I ask them for it there?

[sarahcox]

For my endoscopy they gave me a mixture of verdet (spelling) and dilauted....for the colonoscopy they gave me prophenol (spelling) both put me out where I had no idea what was going on. I also asked for an anti emetic before they put me under. The first time they gave me a shot of phererghren and the second time they gave me another one called Zofran. Both were only taken as a precaution, I explained to them my emet and they understood. Prophenol has an anti emetic in it and they only put you under for a few mins so the odds of having post op nausea is really slim. You can call the nurse and ask what they give for sedation ahead of time and you can tell them when you get in there and start getting ready what you would prefer. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

[PyroYoshi]

They give you drugs to make you not care that you have a large tube like camera going down your throat. Once the drugs kick in (which only takes a few seconds), someone could puke right outside your room and you'd never notice, or if you did, you wouldn't care.

I had an endoscopy last winter, and it was fine. The only side effect was a very sore throat for a couple hours afterward.

[kaiilyn_23]

You'll be absolutely fine!

I had mine done last year, when I was thirteen. They gave me a weird drug that kept me conscious yet I didn't feel or remember a thing. I also had a colonoscopy right after. Since I was also still very paranoid of vomiting, they also gave me some Gravol (antiemetic) to calm me down, since I was so nervous about it. I was terrified going into it, but it's a piece of cake, I promise.

Best of luck. You will be fine. You will not vomit, or be at risk for vomiting, or anything. Nobody who is at risk of vomiting (stomach flu, infected, etc) will be there to have their endoscopy that day.



I told my doc right from the start that I wanted something strong, but my mom is really paranoid regarding drugs so we compromised on the "conscious state sedative." It was really fine, like I said, don't remember anything, never felt anything. To me, it was like I was passed out for the entire time. I kept coming in and out but I barely remember it. And I never felt anything. One minute I was being wheeled in, the next I woke up to see my esophagus on screen, the next I was being wheeled out and then after they were shoving water and biscuits down my throat.

[Rls1994]

Thank you both soo much. I feel a lot better now than how I was yesterday. I was feeling really ill and I just knew it was because I was getting anxious over tomorrow. I hate getting anxious so easily. My Dad doesn't mind what they give me so I will offer for the strongest sedative. I'm not that anxious now, but I bet in the morning I'm going to be a nervous wreck anyway.

[Mutanatia]

I have only really thrown up from being sedated once to my knowledge. That was before I started in with full-blown emet. And it was after I had by appendectomy. Considring the strength of that sedative to something that only last for 2-3 hours...I think you will be absolutely fine. And if something does happen, it'll just be you waking up suddenly with dry heaves for a few moments before passing out again most likely. This only lasts a few hours, and definitely not consistently, until it's all out of your system. And that's without an anti-emetic. I'm betting you won't even have that! When I had my wisdom teeth out, never even dry heaved or anything like that and was really drowsy for the whole day, and that was without an anti-emetic.

But beyond that, as far as contracting a virus? I have been in the ER many times from dehydration caused by SV as a child. Never once caught something bad. And that was in the nasty area of the hospital and in the winter if I remember rightly. Just remember, if you do get anxious, your big, happy emet family is here to help you. That's what I love about this place: You are never completely alone.

As a final note, my dad had a colonoscopy and never V'd. He just had an awful lot of coughing for a few days and was fine after that. We think it was an allergic reaction anyway.

[asiandudeyo]

Guys sorry for being an idiot. It has been a while since I logged into this site, and I forgot how to create a new thread. Can anoybodt shed a light? Sorry to just get into somebody's else convo...

[Rls1994]

I can't stop being anxious... I'm feeling so nauseous and unwell it's unbelievable. I'm also having reflux right now (I think?...) as I can feel something come up. UGH, I just HOPE that it doesn't happen tomorrow or I think I will v*! It's even worse when there's going to be people around me. Omg FML......

[andee]

Okay, you NEED to calm down or you're going to make tomorrow that much worse....you are feeling sick because of anxiety!! I know it's sooo hard to do but just tell yourself what we all have been telling you. You will be fine, it's fairly easy, you won't know or feel much of anything, and you will have an anti-emetic. I hope you can get a decent night's sleep...good luck and tell us all about it! Hugs

[Mutanatia]

Ris, I'm 99% confident you will be fine.

[Rls1994]

Thanks, have been playing games for a few hours and I'm ok now. I just don't think I will be able to sleep tonight. It's 12:15 AM and I'm not tired at all.

[sarahcox]

Let us know how it goes! You will be just fine...enjoy the nap!

[Rls1994]

Thank you Sarah, I slept very well. I'm not anxious about it even though my appointment is 4 hours away. I'm glad that I've convinced myself that everything will be fine. It's all thanks to you lovely members.

[sarahcox]

How did it go!!

[Rls1994]

Hey. They didn't even do it... So I had been fasting all morning yesterday for nothing. I was in the waiting area ready to be called in then a nurse told me to calm down because they're not going to perform the endoscopy. Instead, I saw a specialist and had to tell them my symptoms so they can decide whether the endoscopy would be necessary or not. The specialist said that I may have a small hiatus hernia and I will be having the endoscopy if the symptoms still persist after six months (which they will..). Hmm, bit annoyed to be honest. I had mixed emotions when they said they're not going to do it yesterday. I was sad, relieved, happy, and annoyed at the same time. If that even makes sense haha.