NY 1009

Dear Hopeful,
It's not as bad as you think it is. It really is quick, and not painful in the least.
being you are very nervous, it is better that you are under so that you aren't aware of the tube going down.
I had it done during what I call "the barbaric ages" when I had it performed while awake. they only sprayed a numbing agent on the back of the throat and gave me an i.v. of valium. something like valium anway.
this was back in the early 80's. I tried to grab the tube when it hit the gagging reflex. The water just shot out of my eyes as if a river was flowing. you can't control it either. then I had to concentrate with all my might to not think of the feeling I was going through. he even asked me at the beginning if I wanted to change my mind and that it would be alright.
I was determined to get to the bottom of my illness so continued on with the procedure.

believe me! It is MUCH better for the patient AND the doctor to have the patient sedated to the point where they can't communicate or feel anything.

The 2nd time i had it which was about 2 yrs ago, they fully put me out with an anesthesiologist, right in his office where he performs all the colonoscopies and upper scoping. i didn't even have to go to the ambulatory surgery unit of the hospital next door.
I think that's what causes alot of anxiety in people too. when they see they're in a hospital setting. I know it does to me. so having it in his office makes me feel like it's alot less serious and i"m much more relaxed.

it was a breeze...... It will be for you too if you can calm down and think positive. we would tell you if it was anything horrible. believe me. LOL

oh, and thank goodness I stuck it out the 1st time i had it, because he wound up doing a biopsy, which you don't feel at all, and I wound up having the H.pylori bacteria in my stomach. THIS little bugger can cause a form of stomach lymphoma and even stomach cancer if left untreated.
I was on antibiotics and a month on chewable antacids, cherry flavor, that I will never ever chew again. 2x a DAY or more I had to take it with the antibiotic to get rid of the bacteria. it worked.

so my family dr who was blaming my complaining of not feeling well when he couldn't find anything on me being a mother of four kids all still in diapers and just being stressed out. so when my gastro dr. saw the little disc turn a bright pink when applied a solution to the biopsy, he told me he's sorry I wasn't feeling well for so long and that he hopes I feel better.

I'll never forget how insulted I was by my primary dr just pooh poohing my illness to the fact of just being a woman with kids.

oh well, just thought I'd share that little story with you of my case.

I wish you the best outcome and we're here to support you as the day approaches. that's tomorrow, Friday, right?

what time are you having it?
please come back to let us know how you made out. OK

sincerely,
Linda