I'm scheduled to get an endoscopy done -- the doctor's suspicious of GERD and a possible stricture of the esophagus. I'm not excited about having something go down my throat, but I will be sedated (asleep). Major fear is anesthesia. Experiences, feedback?

The anesthesia they use is not the same as when you go in for surgery. They generally use a combination of versed and a narcotic, like demerol. The versed is basically a memory eraser, and the narcotic makes you sleepy. But you won't remember the being sleepy part.

So you go in, get into a gown, then they take your pulse and blood pressure and ask you tons of questions. Then they put in the IV and take you into the room. They had me lay on my side and then she showed me this plastic thing that goes in your mouth so you don't bite the tube, and she had me lift up my head so she could put the little straps under it. Then she put the drugs in the IV and you feel it, but it's not like you're struggling to stay awake or anything. You just sort of get this lightheaded floaty feeling, and then the next thing you know you're in the recovery room. Then they take out the IV, let you get dressed, and you're on your way.

I was pretty shaky when I left, so my friend had to hold my arm out to the car and walk me up the stairs in my house. Then I either had a snack and took a nap, or the other way around. But I slept for 2-3 hours. I did have quite a sore throat for the next two days. I got through it by chain-sucking halls fruit breezers. But you can use the lozenge of your choice.

So really it's nothing. They put the drugs in, and out you go. You don't remember a thing. In fact, the doctor came and talked to me when I was in the recovery area, but I was still out of it so I didn't even remember that. That's the funny part about versed: to everybody else, you look like you are coherent and you talk and respond, but you don't remember any of it. But don't worry, it doesn't make you spill your deepest and darkest secrets, you just say what you would normally say. Apparently I told my friend the same stupid story 3 times, but I only remember trying to tell her the fourth time...

I don't have much to add. My experience was the same. Except they made me bite that plastic thing before I was out, which made me nervous that the anesthesia wouldn't be strong enough. But that is the last thing I remember. I kind of remember my mom putting on my shoes, but I don't remember anything else about being in recovery, walking out, riding home, going to the bathroom, and laying down on the couch. I woke up about an hour later feeling perfect. My mom said I seemed completely lucid, but on the ride home I told her 4 times how nice it was of the doctor to hold my hand while I was drifting off :)

Yeah thats how mine went.. Just about the same.. They told me to bite down on the plastic thing and then i was out cold. Woke up in the procedure room after it was over and then was wheeled to the recovery room. Painless and nothing to worry about. Easiest procedure to have done.

Yeah, I guess I do have a very vague recollection of them putting the thing in my mouth, or starting to, at least... but it's not like a big huge thing, so don't worry about that.

For me the anethesia was the same as what the do for surgery. I was totally out. This was over 3 years ago, so I don't remember everything, but I will tell you what I do.

I got to the hospital and they took vital signs, temperature, weight, etc, and I changed into a gown. They also did a urinanalysis. I had to wear the cool hospital bands and everything. My GI came into my room to talk to me, then the anesthesiologist came in. The both listened to my breathing, etc. Anesthesiologist hooked me up to oxygen via nasal cannula and I walked into the room. I was asked to lay on a table and told how to lay. They put a piece of plastic in between my lips. The anesthesiologist started an IV and told me I would be sleeping soon. I felt the liquid go into my vein, and than was unconscious near instantly. I woke up in recovery about an hour later.

I felt a slight lump in the throat type thing when I swallowed the rest of the day, but no pain. Biopsies were taken, and my esophogus had minor bleeding, but nothing too major.

It really was nothing to be afraid of and all went smoothly.

I JUST had my endoscopy two weeks ago today and was very anxious about it. I am a wimp and hate hospitals. At 41, this was my first procedure, ever.

My experience was pretty much the same. It was done at my Gastroenterologist's Endoscopic Suite. I met with my Dr., then the anestheliogist. They took my vitals. I wore a hospital gown top, but could keep my bra, jeans, socks and sneakers on.

The iv didn't take in my hand, so he put it in my arm. Ouch. That's the last thing I remember. I woke up in recovery, a little out of it. My parents put me in the car, and I slept at their place for several hours.

Had a lump in the throat feeling the next two days.

Best of luck,

Lori

I JUST had my endoscopy two weeks ago today and was very anxious about it. I am a wimp and hate hospitals. At 41, this was my first procedure, ever.

My experience was pretty much the same. It was done at my Gastroenterologist's Endoscopic Suite. I met with my Dr., then the anestheliogist. They took my vitals. I wore a hospital gown top, but could keep my bra, jeans, socks and sneakers on.

The iv didn't take in my hand, so he put it in my arm. Ouch. That's the last thing I remember. I woke up in recovery, a little out of it. My parents put me in the car, and I slept at their place for several hours.

Had a lump in the throat feeling the next two days.

Best of luck,

Lori

I JUST had my endoscopy two weeks ago today and was very anxious about it. I am a wimp and hate hospitals. At 41, this was my first procedure, ever.

My experience was pretty much the same. It was done at my Gastroenterologist's Endoscopic Suite. I met with my Dr., then the anestheliogist. They took my vitals. I wore a hospital gown top, but could keep my bra, jeans, socks and sneakers on.

The iv didn't take in my hand, so he put it in my arm. Ouch. That's the last thing I remember. I woke up in recovery, a little out of it. My parents put me in the car, and I slept at their place for several hours.

Had a lump in the throat feeling the next two days.

Best of luck,

Lori