Terrified about endoscopy

I can't handle having things in my mouth, I have the worst gag reflex ever, my mouth physically can't open very wide at all and it's just going to be awful. Is there anything I should know to make the process easier?

I'm also scared about what they might find. I've been throwing up more and more, always in the middle of the night, and I have absolutely no idea why. There's no pain or heartburn with it. Because it's always in the middle of the night, I've never really seen what exactly is being thrown up, but a couple of days go it happened closer to 7am... and it was weird. It was yellowy, and streaked with something darker. I'm scared to even entertain the notion that it might be blood.

I've also been having bloody BMs, but my blood tests show no inflammation. Which makes me worry that something else besides the UC is causing me to bleed.

Does anybody have any thoughts as to what might be wrong? I'm driving myself crazy waiting for the procedure.

ipoopedmypants said...
I don't have any ideas, just wanted to say I'm sorry you're having to go through this :-(

Thanks :( I've just graduated and set to start my new job in a few weeks, and I'm scared they'll find something wrong and I'll have to decline the job :(

Don't be afraid I have had quite a few endoscopy s they give you a sedative and you won't gag because you will be in la la land

Thank you all for the encouragement. I wonder if it's different in England though, because I was told I would be given a drug to make me drowsy and relaxed, but will still be awake.

I've never had an Endo but my husband did. They just gave him the same stuff they use for colonoscopies. His throat was a little scratchy for a day or two but he had no issues.

But I agree that you should ask to be knocked out so your anxiety will ease. Good luck!

Thank you all! Feel better about it now, I will definitely ask to be put to sleep, just hope they do it. I've got a flex sig the same day too, so it's gonna be brutal.

Don't suppose anyone has any theories as to why I'm throwing up so much? I really don't think it's acid reflux but that's been suggested by my consultant.

Will the flex sig have any sedation? Might be an issue with two in one day.

The big difference between twilight sedation and full knockout is the latter requires an theologists, who bills separate.

With twilight, as it take hold, you may be aware they are putting a plastic piece between you teeth, and telling you to swallow. I barely remember that, and I cannot remember actually doing the swallowing. Next thing I knew it was over.

If you are not awake enough to swallow, I think the insertion may be a little more scratchy on your throat.

Thanks pb4! Tests are on the 22nd, I'll be sure to update.

DB: Yes, I'm definitely going to need sedation for the flex sig. I don't really know how this is going to down, having both on the same day - just hoping they don't stick me at both ends at the same time! That's a good point about the scratchiness of the throat though... I'll have to weigh up the options.

Dikid: I just looked up gastritis - definite possibility, except I'm not in any pain.

The yellow stuff is bile, I used to throw up almost immediately after waking up for years or it would be what got me out of bed way early in the AM, it was strange I would actually feel fine I just had a slight upset stomach, I would cough just a little and the next thing I would be throwing up bile and anything else that wasn't digested. And from time to time yes I would see blood (very rare) but in time of a cold or sickness the throat can get dry and start to bleed. I tried anything and everything I could. One day reading this forum I was learning about LDN, I decided to give it a shot as I was flaring at the time. Not totally sure if the LDN helps my UC much but I know for a fact that stopped me throwing up in the morning. I haven't throwing up in the morning since the day I started taking it, the only time it has happened since is when I have ran out of LDN and I'm waiting on the mailman to deliver more. And for me it is almost instant, the day I take it it is gone, the day I run out it comes back. Never heard of anyone else like me, but wanted to throw it out there for you.

Just for accuracy, conscious sedation is provided by the GI's RN under his/her direction. "Twilight" or moderate to heavy sedation is provided by a nurse anesthetist or anesthesiologist. Very different since propofol is available to anesthesia personnel. Conscious sedation is a benzo and an opioid. Don't worry about your gag reflex...it is unlikely that you will remember.

Thanks! I'm seeing my doctor in September and hopefully she'll be able to help me.
And this is weird but... I hope you get all nice and drugged up for your procedure! Hopefully they'll understand your situation and hey, you can't be the first person to ever ask for that.