Endoscopy

[neena1127]

Hello all. I'm new to these message boards. I decided to become more pro active in my own health care. I am a woman in my late 40s, feeling like 60 lately. Have emphysema, asthma and now obviously some new stomach ailments. Actually they are not new I have just suffered long enough... I have been set up for an endoscopy in three weeks. I have put it off that long because I have my teenage daughter's grammar school graduation and want to get her off to camp for three weeks and I will take care of it while she's gone. Anybody else have any breathing problems and have this done? I'm worried that I won't be able to breathe while they stick whatever it is into my throat! Am I just worrying for nothing?

[kehorner]

Most people are sedated for an endoscopy. This means that you will have an IV and feel like you have gone to sleep, so you shouldn't remember a thing. Some people aren't as sedated, and get a numbing spray for the throat, so they are aware of the procedure and might gag a bit. But I haven't heard anybody mention difficulty breathing. Mechanically, there is no reason that you would have trouble breathing, so I think it would only be perhaps and anxiety issue if you were awake. But most people are sedated so it shouldn't be an issue at all. And don't worry about recovery time. Because of the sedation, you will probably take the rest of the day off, but you can go back to your normal routine the next day. Good luck.

[Shamrock]

If you're worried about breathing problems,call and ask your doctor if you should do anything before the test. I don't have COPD but I do have asthma and they told me to take my regular dose of Advair and bring my Albuterol inhaler with me. I'm having an endoscopy and colonoscopy on Tuesday. Good Luck!!

[tattooyu]

Thought I'd share my endo experience from last Thursday! Oh sure, mistakes were made, but all-in-all, it wasn't bad. I live in the San Fernando Valley in California. My endoscopy was at Northridge Hospital by my gastroenterologist.

7:45am - "Who am I?"

Check-in. The girl behind the counter in the Outpatient Center was very nice. However, I did notice that my last name was spelled wrong (mistake #1). That was easily fixed. I signed my papers and was walked down to the lab with my wife.

8:00am - "Which End is Up?"

Exam prep. The RN greeted us with a smile and asked me to get into a gown. She said, "You can leave your shirt on, but you need to take your pants and underwear off." Huh? For an endoscopy? So, I asked why that was necessary for an endo, and she says, "Ohhhh. We just assumed you were having a colonoscopy." (mistake #2) GLAD I ASKED!

She escorted me to the gurney for some relaxation.

8:35am - "Cap, Please!"

On the gurney. Waiting for the doctor to finish up with another patient. The same RN comes over to start my IV (saline at this point). She got the vein on the first try, which is always nice. Hmmm...what's that running down my arm? Ohhhh, nothing...just my own blood. AHHHHHHHHHH! She forgot to cap the line, so my blood started dripping down onto the floor. (mistake #3) "Oops! I forgot to cap the line!" Yeah, thanks.

So, she cleans up my arm, and the floor.

8:45am - "Cleanup On Aisle ME"

An orderly, a very CUTE orderly, came in to wheel me into the exam room. She shrieks, "Ah! I have blood on my hands. I need to go wash them." Apparently, the RN didn't get everything (mistake #4)...I'd hate to see her house.

After a brief respite in the washroom, the orderly comes back and wheels me into the exam room.

Well, my gastro did a great job...he's really nice. The drugs were A-OK, but they wouldn't let me take any Demerol home...darn! The only other bad part was that I apparently have a strong gag reflex, even under sedation, so I do remember gagging...vaguely, like a dream.

It really wasn't as bad as I'm making it out to be. You'll be fine! It's really a piece of cake.

Keep us posted!