Freaking out about Upper Endoscopy! Tell me your good experiences!

[jamimb]

I am having one of these done on Friday and I'm freaking out. Anybody got any reassuring words????

 

[The Mystery Machine]

When you get your results it will be a relief.

I had a colonoscopy and an endoscopy. I figured, while I was out....

Hang in there!

 

[phorsenuf]

Piece of cake. I remember them spraying the back of my mouth with a numbing agent and then I woke up in the recovery area. They put you in that twilight sleep but I don't remember a thing.

No big deal at all! Good luck.

 

[MushyMushy]

Easy peasy! I'm such a big baby about medical procedures and I wouldn't even sweat another endoscopy.

You just go in, get IV sedation, and as you're starting to drift off to sleep they spray a nasty numbing stuff in your throat. The next thing you know you're waking up. There's no pain whatsoever, no discomfort. Personally, the sedation lasts a long time with me, but that's just me. Most people are ready to go after it's over.

I know the last two I've had, I was even able to eat right afterwards.

 

[jamimb]

Thanks but the thought of them putting a tube down my throat is making me crazy! and I know its rare but I'm worrying about complications. How long does it usually take??

 

[MushyMushy]

Thanks but the thought of them putting a tube down my throat is making me crazy! and I know its rare but I'm worrying about complications. How long does it usually take??

You won't even be conscious of it! Think about it -- they do hundreds of these a week... an experienced gastroenterologist has done thousands.

You'll never feel a thing with the tube -- nothing. The spray they use is this industrial strength anesthetic. They could shove a sword down your throat and you'd never feel it.

All told I think you're there 2-3 hours maybe. The procedure itself doesn't even take a half hour. I know my husband was amazed at how quickly it was done.

 

[Mysteria]

I've had 4. Try not to worry about it. You'll get some good drugs and then when you come back around you'll wonder what you had been afraid of.

 

[bethd]

I'm scheduled for Friday morning too.Not looking forward to it but after reading the responses on this thread, It appears I'm freaking out for no reason. I guess as long as I'm out before they insert the tube I'll be fine.

Good luck to you. I'm sure we'll both do fine

Beth

 

[hellokitty86]

Don't worry about feeling the tube!! They monitor your pulse and blood pressure and they can tell when you are totally out. If they start and you are conscious and can feel it they can tell and they will stop!

It will be over before you know it.

 

[HsvTeacher]

Thanks but the thought of them putting a tube down my throat is making me crazy! and I know its rare but I'm worrying about complications. How long does it usually take??

Don't worry! You'll never even know they're putting the tube down your throat. When I had it done, they put medicine in through my IV, and I was out the entire time. When I woke up, the only thing I felt was a dry mouth. You'll be fine!

 

[Butwhyistherumgone?]

Versed is a wonderful drug! You will not remember a thing! Very quick procedure , you will be just fine!

 

[klynn]

The first time I had it done it was horrible. I was awake and kept choking the whole time. The next time I had it done at a different place and I don't remember a thing! Just make sure you get enough sleepy medicine before they start.

 

[kellydizfan]

I have had many done where they have this long wire with a light at the end and it goes down thru the nose into the throat. I have LPR reflux. They put a numbing spray in my nose - I can still feel it and am wide awake during the whole thing. It tickles and lightly burns but nothing real bad. I can't imagine that the one they knock you out for is any worse. Being awake is the worse even though it is different than what you are having. Usually he does both sides of my nose but I was lucky this last time it was only the side closest to the doctor. He did pull out the one they use when they knock you out first and then realized that is not what he wanted. Good Luck and you will be fine.

 

[mjkacmom]

I had one done with my colonoscopy - truly, it was nothing! They put a plastic thing in my mouth, and then I woke up.

 

[Kristi1357]

Versed is a wonderful drug! You will not remember a thing! Very quick procedure , you will be just fine!

I have had about two dozen of these done.
The very first one, I was a mess & so scared - fear of the unknown.
They really are a piece of cake!

 

[ToTLaugher]

My DD15 and I have had them done. We found the procedure to be very simple. They widened my esophagus and still there was little pain afterward. Neither one of us has any memory of the actual procedure.

 

[ols386]

I had something similar, about 3 years ago, and I was super nervous about having it done, and it ended up being no big deal at all. They gave me something for twilight sleep, and when I woke up, I knew nothing of the procedure.

Try not to be nervous, it will be fine. You won't know or remember what happened.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I had it done in Sept., along with the colonoscopy at the same time. All I remember is them putting some purple plastic thing in my mouth and saying you are going to sleep now. I was happy I could eat lunch later on. It was over before you knew it.

Best of luck. I am sure you will be fine and posting how great you did!!

 

[JanaNs]

I had it done about 4 months ago and I was totally stressed because nobody told me they were putting me out for it! When I got there and they said they were going to start the IV I was never so relieved in my life!!! Never felt a thing. Woke up went home and slept it off for the afternoon. I didn't even have a sore throat. You'll be fine. There's nothing to get worked up over. Good Luck!

 

[C.Ann]

Another vote for "scared to death" - and never felt a thing..

Honestly - it was a breeze.. I was so scared they sent me off to "la-la land" about 1 minute after I got in the procedure room.. When I woke up, I was in recovery and my DD was sitting there talking to me.. (Evidently I was "talking" before I was actually awake..LOL)

Wouldn't even hestitate to have another one done if necessary.. We're not pulling your leg here to make you feel better - it's really nothing at all to be afraid of or concerned about..