I will be having the scope done next Friday at 1 30. I have been putting this off for such a long time. I have been having sever reflex for 4 months and am getting no relief. Have been on protonix but probaly shoud switch to nexum as many on this board say that they have had very good results.

Anyway I am very scared. Have much anxiety and I shake just thinking about it. trying to read all I can to relieve all this anxiety. Does anyone have any advise on how to get through this test without all this fear?

thank you for your opinions.

Lily

I wish I knew the answer because I have mine the following Monday.

I also have no idea, tlily. Mine is on Monday. Right now I am so worried about the results themselves that I am thinking less about the test. I am just hoping that everyone is right and that with the conscious sedation I will have no clue what's happening. I worry that it will be like laughing gas, which does nothing for me. I had this for my wisdom tooth removal and I was clutching the chair I was so scared and aware of what was going on.

I had my Endoscopy a couple months ago. I had never had a procedure with sedation. I was in and out of the hospital in under 1 1/2 hours. I went in, filled out a couple forms and made a partial payment towards the procedure. They then took me back and had me remove the clothing from my upper body and put on a gown. I also had to remove my shoes and put on the slippers--wierd because I didn't do any walking. They then had me lay on the bed and they administered the IV. The pinch of the IV needle was probably the worst of the procedure. They then wheeled the bed into the the examining room. Throughout this entire time, they were talking me through everything. Once I got in the room, the nurses introduced themselves. One explained how they needed me to roll onto my left side. The other explained that she was administering the sedation and placed a couple monitors on me. The first nurse said they would put a small plastic ring in my mouth with a strap around my head to hold it in place. This was to protect my teeth and the scope. The doctor then came in and asked if I had any questions. As soon as I said no, I was out. The next thing I knew, I woke up as the bed was rolling into my room. It was strange. Once I woke up, I was wide awake. They then had me sit there for a few minutes before getting dressed. I was ready to go home then, but had to wait about 1/2 hour for the doctor. He came in, told me the results and recommended follow-up. All-in-all, it was quick and painless. I was glad I had brought a book to read while I waited. I was required to have a driver home from the hospital. We picked up lunch on the way. I was REALLY hungry by then because it was 3:30 and I had not eaten in 22 hours. Once home, I took it easy for a couple hours, but didn't really feel I needed to. I felt perfectly fine.

I know you are anxious, but there really isn't anything to worry about. The hospital staff were nice and the procedure was quick and painless.

I hope this helps. Good luck tlily and taape. I hope your results are good.

Hi
I know how you feel. I was extremely anxious for my endoscopy. So much so I tried to back out of it at the last minute. You can go into the endoscopy room with the knowledge that within seconds of lying down on the couch and being given the sedation you will be awake and it will all be over. It really is just seconds after they give you the sedation. Before I went in an elderly lady was lying in the recovery room apparently asleep. A nurse came in, went up to her and the lady said " am I going in for it now"?. The nurse said "its all over, you've had it"! Thast how quick and painless it is. I wouldnt be as anxious a second time.

Bilbobeth: I'm most worried about them spraying my throat while being awake. How is this done and can it be done after being sedated? When the dentist uses novacane it makes my tongue, lip, etc., numb but it feels gigantic. If your throat numbed with medication wouldn't it be hard to swallow? I can't even stand to have my throat checked when I have a sore throat.

OK, rather than re-post what I've already said a couple of times :), here are two threads with endoscopy info in them...

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=390491

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=388043

And to reiterate what MountainReader said, the procedure is quick and painless. :)

Taape you can choose not to have the spray. Just say you dont want the spray. I reacted to an anaesthetic at the dentist and just said I cant have the spray. They are not bothered if you have it or not. In fact I dont see the point in the spray because they use sedation. Once that sedations in you you wont feel a thing...just have a bit of a sore throat afterwards and maybe for several days.

I am praying for quick and painless. The last colonoscope I had, I was up through most of it with limited pain. I fight the sedation even though I try not to. I think thats why I am so afraid because it is going down my throat and I may be up watching the whole thing.

Lily

I was so afraid of mine too, it was... oh almost two years ago now, so a long time.

I have emetophobia, fear of vomiting, so I was very very afraid. My mom called the endolab at different times to ask different nurses if I would throw up, I was so afraid I would.

It was very easy!

I got there and they put the IV in, which isn't a big deal, they do a LOT of them every day and the nurses are good at it because they do so many on a daily basis. I didn't have to change or anything, just wore my regular clothes and laid on a cart type thing (that sounds weird, a wheely bed I guess!). I did get the back of my throat sprayed, it was not bad at all, I think chloroseptic sore throat spray is worse! This was in a can with a straw thing on it and it tasted like cherries, the nurse just sprayed it in my mouth and asked me to swallow. Then the next thing I knew I was waking up and could drink ice water.

I'd never had sedation or narcotics, and had been feeling so sick for so long, that it was the first time I'd felt good in years (it took two years to diagnose my constant nausea as gastroparesis/GERD) and I had a fun day. My mom took me out for a light lunch and we went shopping.

Try not to worry, the IDEA of it is so so much worse than actually doing it. I actually felt proud of myself for doing it because I faced a huge fear.

I guess what is scaring me the most right now is the unknown. Also the fact that the surgery center nurse asked if I had a living will. I wasn't even asked that when I had my gallbladder removed! I am hoping that they just ask everyone that goes there, since they do more serious procedures. But boy what a question...

Eve8

I am not sure I read this but are you having the scope tomorrow? If you are, I wish you luck. I know what you mean about the unknown. I am so scared to. I am such a baby when it comes down to the unknown and procedures. So many have had this done and things turn out fine. I will be waiting to see how it all turned out for you.

I remember me being very afraid of the colon scope and it all went fine. So have to think positive thoughts. I try to focus on somewhere that I love to be like an island in the caribbean and sometimes it works. I know easer said than done. That said......good luck.

Tlily

This may sound silly but I love having the scope done, until its over. I was a little nervous before my first one but the sedation is great. I sound like a druggie, sorry but I have anxiety and I don't take meds and the reflux is 24/7 for me so having the sedation was great! I don't think my doc uses throat spray, I get knocked out and feel really calm the rest of the day. The procedure is quick. I do have some pain after, I usually have biopsys done. The pain is managable and not much worse then what I live with anyway.

Good luck and take care

Katt

I was really nervous the day I had to get one done.. (the got me at both ends that day) I have a really nasty gag reflex (1 doctor has been able to check my throat for redness with a depresser.. and I've only gotten 1 successful swab for strep) and the only thing they gave me for my endoscopy was something in my iv which relaxed me.. I was awake and even fought the doctor as he was shoving the camera down my throat lol.. I was like aren't you supposed to numb my throat first.. He told me the meds they pumped in my iv relaxed me to the point where I wouldn't gag at all.. the next thing I remember was a little discomfort as they gave me my colonoscopy but that's about it hehe.

Tlily, Thanks for your good wishes. I will be having mine tomorrow between 2 and 3. I have to arrive at 1:45 to fill out paper work, get my iv put in etc... I will let you know how everything goes as soon as possible.

Nate-X, you were awake? How scary. My doc said that I should fall asleep, I hope so. Either way I will keep my eyes closed. That's what I do at the dentist, I do not wish to know what is going on in there, lol.

Kattjo, You said you usually get biopsies, what do they test for and how long does it take the results to come back? Do they at least talk with you after the procedure to let you know what they are thinking about what they saw? For example, if they test for cancer I would at least like to be told if it was because it was routine to do so, or if it was because they saw something suspicous. I tend to worry...ALOT :)

Nate-X, you were awake? How scary. My doc said that I should fall asleep, I hope so. Either way I will keep my eyes closed. That's what I do at the dentist, I do not wish to know what is going on in there, lol.

Actually I was a lot more scared then what I should of been. Once he began putting the camera in and I didn't gag (which was what I was so nervous about), I calmed down.. slowly breathed in and out my nose.. and I think I dozed for a while.. when I woke up though I was looking in my intestines hehe. Was a little uncomfortable I think they shoot water or something while they are doing it.. but I lived =P.

I cannot sleep. This reflex is horrible. Took all my meds so I can not take anymore. Wanted to change my meds and the Doctor said after the scope. It should be changed now as it is not working. Had a horrible day today and it is going right into the night.

Have not been getting much sleep lately. how does everyone else sleep?

Lily

tlily,
I'm sorry to hear you can't sleep. What happens when you lay down do you have heart burn or throw up or what? Thankfully I can sleep but have these horrible nightmares from the PPI meds which wakes me up, but I'm able to go back to sleep if the nightmare isn't too disturbing. Nightmares/bad dreams every night it's hardly restful. I don't understand why your doctor won't change your meds, it's a long time until Friday. Ask again, call his office tomorrow or right now and talk with the answering service. You can't miss sleep like this.

I also have weird nightmares every night. I hate it and when I am not having nightmares my dreams are still very vivid. I can remember everything that happened in my dream.

I am sorry that you can't sleep Tlily. This is probably a silly question, but have you tried sleeping with your pillows against the backboard in a sitting up position? I noticed that this helps me, when I can't lie down.

Ok now it is the night before my scope and I am very scared. I was good all day and now I am starting to panic. I know others on this board said that it is not that bad but I still am very tense. I never was out when I had my colonscope. SO I am afraid that I will be too awake tomorrow.

My throat is burning me and I am also afraid of the results. Don't mind me I am a big baby these days. HELP

Tlily, I know exactly how you feel. I was terrified from the day before all the way up until my endoscopy. Try to relax if you can. The anesthesiologist assured me that I would fall asleep and not remember a thing. You will remember being told to count and the next thing you will remember is being in the recovery room.

I will be thinking of you tomorrow. Let us know how everything goes.

Eve
Thanks for your encouragement. I think they are only giving me the twilight sleep. I hope they do what you had.

I will post here tomorrow night. I just wish it was tomorrow night. lol lol

LILy

Eve and Tlily,
I re read the instructions for my procedures for this coming Monday. I'm sure that I won't be asleep because it says that I may be asked to change positions. Why can't the staff change my position. I'm totally scared, I can't be awake during these. I'm going to ask to be put to sleep. If it's available why not. Tlily, maybe you should ask also if they only said twilight sleep. The last time I had twlilight sleep for a procedure I was fully alert (talking, etc.,) and awake and very scared. I wish you good luck tomorrow.

Tlily, I'm also having a colonscopy the same day -Monday. What was it like to be awake, was it really necessary to be awake from your perspective? Was it painful?

Taap

The colocospy was not bad at all. Believe me when I say this because I am such a baby with these things. Yes I was watching it on the screen. I would dose off and on. Had no pain and the Doc even went into my small intestint and they usually do not do that. They asked me to turn around a couple of times. That I could handle. I have no problems with this test. I think the less meds they give you the faster you will recover. I think.

However putting something down my throat when I have a very difficult time swallowing a pill. I am scared of this. I do not think that they will put me out as they have to be prepared to do so. I spoke with the nurse today to confirm tomorrow and she said that they give more meds whe they do a endoscopy. I am trying to focus on that. I will ask to be put to sleep but will not count on it. I am praying that I will.

Thanks for thinking about me. I am a reck for sure. I would not be like this having the colocscopy. maybe because I have done that before. Somehow I can not get by the tube going sdown my throat.

TLILY

Tlily,
I can't get over the tube down the throat part either. I'd rather have more medication and take longer to recover than be scared during it. The other thing is all these anesthesia meds make me nauseous and I'd rather just be like that when I wake up, that's bad enough, but not throughout the procedure. I guess that's what I will tell the doctor.

Thanks for the information regarding the colonoscopy. I'll be thinking about you tomorrow. Please come back and post. Try to rest tonight if possible.

did not sleep to good last night. boy am I scared. I have to be at the hospital at 12 30 amd the procedure is at 1 30. I am shaking already. :eek: I just do not do good with hospitals. :o

I will post when I return.

Lily

lilly,
Dont be anxious i was petrified.

It was a peice of cake !!

I asked for a light sedation, all i remembered was this gorgeous Doctor looking down at me !!

The only sensation i got through it all was that i slightly and i mean no more than a cough gagged a little as they pulled the scope out, its tiny, no wider than a drinking straw, if THAT wide.

I was in and out of the ER room in 20 mins and having a drink within 30 mins and home within the hour. The results for me were almost immediate, like about 2 hours, everything was ok except i had a little inflamation on my oesophagus wall, which was causing the horrible heart burn id been suffering, (i wouldnt like to know what serious inflamation felt like !! )

i was put on omerprazole which i think could be Nexium in the States and ive been absolutely fine since, im trying to lose some weight as im 110% sure this is caused by over weightness. Good luck you will be fine :)