Gigi D
05-19-2006, 12:44 PM
Has anyone ever had a gastroscopy? I'm scheduled to have one in mid-June, and I'm really worried about it. I just don't think I can do it! I'm afraid it will make me gag and throw up.
If anyone has been through this, could you please let me know what to expect?
Thanks!
If anyone has been through this, could you please let me know what to expect?
Thanks!
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diamond79
05-19-2006, 12:50 PM
It's really nothing to worry about...I had the same fears as you do. You will more than likely be asleep and not remember a thing although in some places you are awake for it, like I was. You may gag on the spray they use to numb your throat but that's about all. And I highly doubt you will vomit as you are not to eat anything from the night before until after the scope. I think the actual procedure took all of 5 mins to do. The waiting and the IV took the longest.
Good Luck, you will be fine!
Good Luck, you will be fine!
Gigi D
05-19-2006, 03:58 PM
Thank you!
June is going to be a nightmare-I have 3 different tests scheduled. Gallbladder ultrasound, colonoscopy and the gastroscopy. Only the gastroscopy has had me worried-I've been reassured the colonoscopy is no big deal. And now I'll try not to worry about the gastroscopy-it helps hearing from people who have been there, done that :) !
June is going to be a nightmare-I have 3 different tests scheduled. Gallbladder ultrasound, colonoscopy and the gastroscopy. Only the gastroscopy has had me worried-I've been reassured the colonoscopy is no big deal. And now I'll try not to worry about the gastroscopy-it helps hearing from people who have been there, done that :) !
Pika
05-20-2006, 07:25 AM
I had one done in the beginning of May. I slept right through the whole procedure. I got the needle in at 2:15pm and I woke up at 3:00pm.
I think I have made a big mistake chose to do it. I'll never go for anymore test in the future.
Good luck.
Pika.
I think I have made a big mistake chose to do it. I'll never go for anymore test in the future.
Good luck.
Pika.
kehorner
05-21-2006, 01:02 AM
I felt nothing. Went to sleep and then woke up in recovery. Then went home and napped for about three more hours. Had a sore throat for the next day or so, but that was all. No other bad effects. The worst part of the whole thing is the needle stick for the IV.
Ol'Line Rebel
05-22-2006, 02:23 PM
I hope you get the total anesthesia kind. I did. And a co-worker who's suffered a long time most recently has.
My mom, some 5 years ago, was made to do it without even any benefit of any kind of anesthesia. No wonder it was horrible for her! (At 1st I thought it was because she is very "medically" sensitive, but she just revealed this about no calming at all.)
And then, even current patient literature is saying that you'll be "lightly sedated" and awake but clueless for the procedure (i.e., the way you feel before you totally go under).
Some people have posted about this latter. So, I think it depends alot right now on where you're doing it. I was very nervous going in for the same reason; I kept reading about half-awake and was paranoid about the gag reflex! That very day - end of March - I found out I was being knocked out. Good!
I hope you get the "full" treatment! :)
My mom, some 5 years ago, was made to do it without even any benefit of any kind of anesthesia. No wonder it was horrible for her! (At 1st I thought it was because she is very "medically" sensitive, but she just revealed this about no calming at all.)
And then, even current patient literature is saying that you'll be "lightly sedated" and awake but clueless for the procedure (i.e., the way you feel before you totally go under).
Some people have posted about this latter. So, I think it depends alot right now on where you're doing it. I was very nervous going in for the same reason; I kept reading about half-awake and was paranoid about the gag reflex! That very day - end of March - I found out I was being knocked out. Good!
I hope you get the "full" treatment! :)
Gigi D
05-23-2006, 06:30 PM
Thanks, everyone, for all your responses!
I'm not sure if I'll be fully knocked out or just mildly sedated-I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the first :) ! I'm sure it'll be fine, just the thought of it makes me shudder and want to gag. I don't know why the gastroscopy's got me more freaked out than the colonoscopy, but it does. Oh, well, it's just a short period of time out of one day in my life-I can handle that!
Thanks again.
I'm not sure if I'll be fully knocked out or just mildly sedated-I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the first :) ! I'm sure it'll be fine, just the thought of it makes me shudder and want to gag. I don't know why the gastroscopy's got me more freaked out than the colonoscopy, but it does. Oh, well, it's just a short period of time out of one day in my life-I can handle that!
Thanks again.
divadebi
05-24-2006, 04:09 PM
What does this gastroscopy reveal? What is an endoscopy and why hasn't my friend who has been through a myriad of tests been ordered this for major abdominal pains so bad she has to take serious pain meds to exist? I think it might be her pancreas, but ct hida scans didn't show anything. Isn't the pancreas hidden and I would think that xrays wouldn't show anything unless you go in with a light and actually look in the pancreas???
Gigi D
05-24-2006, 06:43 PM
What does this gastroscopy reveal? What is an endoscopy and why hasn't my friend who has been through a myriad of tests been ordered this for major abdominal pains so bad she has to take serious pain meds to exist? I think it might be her pancreas, but ct hida scans didn't show anything. Isn't the pancreas hidden and I would think that xrays wouldn't show anything unless you go in with a light and actually look in the pancreas???
If I understood my doctor correctly, the gastroscopy just looks at the esophagus and stomach. I think the pancreas is located behind the stomach, but could be wrong. I do know that pancreatis (or something like that) is on my doctor's list of possible causes of my abdominal pain, and depending on the outcome of these first tests I might have to have a whole bunch of other tests done (I think she said an upper GI series??? I don't know, I think my problem is intestinal, but guess we'll find out!).
What tests has your friend had? Has she been to see any specialists? Maybe she should seek a second opinion if she isn't getting the help she needs.
If I understood my doctor correctly, the gastroscopy just looks at the esophagus and stomach. I think the pancreas is located behind the stomach, but could be wrong. I do know that pancreatis (or something like that) is on my doctor's list of possible causes of my abdominal pain, and depending on the outcome of these first tests I might have to have a whole bunch of other tests done (I think she said an upper GI series??? I don't know, I think my problem is intestinal, but guess we'll find out!).
What tests has your friend had? Has she been to see any specialists? Maybe she should seek a second opinion if she isn't getting the help she needs.