Have you had a gastroscopy? Just how awful was it?

[Soda]

I'm going for a gastroscopy in a couple of weeks and I'm getting really nervous. They are checking for ulcers and even possible tumors (that's enough right there to scare the hell out of me!). I just don't know what to expect. One friend of mine told me it was the most horrible thing she ever had to go through, including root canal. My dad said it wasn't that bad, he'd been given sedatives and was pretty mellow during the procedure.

I will definitely ask for a sedative, but I'm worried I'll be so distraught about the whole thing that it won't help me much.

So bring it on. Scare me, or calm me, either way is fine as long as you educate me.

[Andy]

Well, it isn't pleasant, but you knew that.

I had it without the sedative as I had to go back to work and
I'd rather stick pins in my eyes than go through it again

Seriously though, it's not that bad. Some tips; don't take to staring at the tube thing before they pop it in your mouth.....it's a little on the large size, although the nurse will convince you that it's no bigger than the little pinky she's wiggling on her hand. When the doc and nurses tell you to swallow, do it. It is hard to concentrate but is much less uncomfortable than them having to shove the thing down your throat! Once it's gone down (and it'll be out again in 2 or 3 minutes), there's plenty of room left for breathing. I think the trick is to try and relax; if you start squirming, it'll take longer.

The inflation part ain't so nice.....and damnit, that little muscle between your stomach and duodenum ain't half strong.

If you ask nicely beforehand, they'll skewer you so you can see the monitor at the same time, or ask for a copy of the video....it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to see all those bits and pieces down there!

[Xerxes]

they'll skewer you so you can see the monitor at the same time

Skewer?!

S'probably another UK/US thing, but over here, skewering is something you do with, er, a skewer (think BBQ).

[BTW Soda; good luck, hope you get some more good info. If not, I'll ask my sis-in-law (nurse) and get back to you]

[Fretful Porpentine]

S'probably another UK/US thing, but over here, skewering is something you do with, er, a skewer (think BBQ).

Umm, aren't you both "over there"? Don't tell me you Brits can't even understand each other?

[ladybug]

I had to have one last summer and it wasn't too bad. The doctor I went to gave me Valium right before he started so I was asleep for almost the entire time. And he numbed my throat first so I couldn't feel anything when he put the tube in.

It wasn't fun, but it's not something I'd be afraid to do again -- which I might have to do because my stomach was full of ulcers the last time and I don't think they've all healed.

Try not to worry too much, Soda. Just try to relax during the test if you can. If you can talk to your doctor before the test that might help, too.

Good luck -- I hope you get good news.

Amy

[berdollos]

A suggestion:
Say "When you sedate me, please give me LOTS OF SEDATIVES."

Best wishes, Berdollos

[Xerxes]

Umm, aren't you both "over there"? Don't tell me you Brits can't even understand each other?

Ah. I forgot. I tend to assume everyone's American until proven otherwise. Sort of a reverse 'innocent until proven guilty'. (Just kidding).

[Andy]

When they stick something in your mouth and keep feeding it in until it feels like it's almost out of your ass, I'd call that skewering....

[Xerxes]

If you ask nicely beforehand, they'll skewer you so you can see the monitor at the same time, or ask for a copy of the videoquote

I kind-of misunderstood this; I thought you meant something along the lines of

If you ask nicely, they'll move/skew/whatever you (or the monitor) around so's you can see it.

Anyway, this is probably not what Soda had in mind, so sorry for the slight hijack.

[Tiburon]

Okay...I have an appointment with my doctor to find out if I might have an ulcer...I posted about this in another thread.

I have heartburn that gets worse when I sit up, better when I am horizontal. That's the opposite of most heartburn so it might be that I have an ulcer. What exactly do they do before they jump to this procedure?

I am hoping they send me home with some simple instructions to eat more regularly and maybe some zantac.

As cool as it would be to see my insides, I'm sort of scared of that thought. You know...when I was 12, I'd have volunteered for this, just cause I'd have thought it was soooo cooooool to see.

Tibs.

[shell]

Soda, I had the proceedure done a few years ago and it was not all that traumatic. I was given an anti-anxiety agent, an amnesiac (probably versed), and my throat was numbed. I didn't experience any pain and was unaware of even being scoped. I did have some discomfort when swallowing for a few hours after the proceedure but was told that is normal.
You may want to talk through the proceedure with your physician before it takes place so you know what to expect. Good luck and I hope the doc is able to resolve your problem.

[The Mermaid]

I'm an RN and have been there with patients having it done and I've had both upper and lower endoscopy done and for me the lower was worse, but(pun intended) that is where I was having the problem.

Definitely ask for the versed. Usually demeral is given with it. Versed has the added benefit of being an amnesiac, you will be awake and breathing on your own but your memory will be very foggy with recollections of being there but no clear recall of the events.

Try to relax and listen to the instructions given by the Dr and Nurses. It's OK to be scared, just let the Dr. know about your concerns and he/she can help you better. It will be over before you know it and you will have a little sore throat after. Many small lesions and stuff can be taken care of at the same time without the needed for a separate procedure.

Take care.

[Soda]

Hi all.
First, thanks. It's been a very helpful thread so far. Keep it up and don't worry about scaring the crap out of me, because
second, drugs. Drugs (in this case) is good m'kay? Can I please have general anaesthetic? And laughing gas? And how about some Valium, just in case?
No, seriously. I'm worried about it, but I know it's not going to kill me. My BF is going to take me there and afterwards he can pamper me for, oh, about a week, feed me ice cream and give me back rubs.
But android? What's being inflated? What are they going to do to me?
::whimpering like a baby::
And please explain versed to the ignorant Swede. I mean, I do watch ER on a regular basis, but I can only pick up so much.
Thanks again.

[Patty O'Furniture]

My experience was the same as shell's. I was given an IV that drip-drip-dripped into my arm, my throat was sprayed to numb it. Just before they started, he injected something into the IV that knocked me out. Actually, the doc said I wasn't knocked out and that I was aware enough to follow his instructions, but afterwards I don't remember anything so I was as good as knocked out as far as I am concerned. It was like I blacked out just before he started, and woke up moments later realizing I was in the recovery room.

I think it is one of the least invasive proceedures you can go through in a hospital. If you have to go to a hospital for something, you should pray it's something as simple as an endoscopy. I mean, they're not cutting you open or anything, and you're back to normal a few hours later. Plus you get some great glossies of your stomach lining.

[Andy]

Soda: Versed is a drug, but don't worry, as these lot didn't capitalise, I thought it was some odd use of the verb too.

Inflation: as you'll probably not have eaten for 24 hours, your stomach will have shrivelled, so they blow a little air in to get a better look at the walls, or at least they did with me. Am I the only one who remembers this? They knocked you lot out, wusses

[Soda]

as you'll probably not have eaten for 24 hours

What are they trying to do, kill me? In my current condition, if I don't eat regularly, and I mean on the dot, I get so hungry I get nauseous. I feel like I'll throw up any minute, and they'll ask me not to eat for 24 hours? Oh, poor, poor me...
::whimpering even more over in the corner::

[shell]

Soda, when I had my 'scope done I went in first thing in the morning, with an empty stomach. Talk to your physician. He/she may be able to schedule your proceedure early so you don't have to feel miserable all day.

[Soda]

I got a letter yesterday explaining things. I'm scheduled for the procedure on April 19, at 1.45 pm. I cannot eat or drink anything six hours before the procedure. Six hours is still going to be hard, but at least I won't die. I'll be able to have a decent breakfast.

[Jodi]

As the reluctant participant in numerous medical procedures, I draw a distinction between things that are painful and things that are uncomfortable. It's not a line the medical profession is particularly good at drawing, IMO; they say "you may experience some discomfort" when what they really mean is "this is going to hurt like hell."

But in my experience an upper endoscopy is uncomfortable, not painful. You're lying there as they shove a tube down your throat and you'll be burping away to get rid of all the air they are introducing into your stomach. It will not be your best moment; no one would choose to do it for fun on a day off, but it doesn't hurt. (Oh, and as far as drugs are concerned, I had a mild sedative (Valium, I think) and a numbing agent they sprayed in my throat to overcome the gag reflex, and that was it.) My advice is just to lie there and think of England (or wherever) and concentrate on the fact that it will soon be over.

But I cannot overemphasize -- it doesn't actually hurt. There's far worse things the medical establishment can inflict upon you.

[shell]

One last note Soda.... have you considered some self-hypnosis to alleviate anxiety? I did it with 'scope proceedures, surgery and childbirth and it effectively eliminated any pain for all three. It doesn't take long to learn although I did have to practice quite a bit. If you can't find any info on how to do it online I'll try to dig up some references. Good luck!