upcoming endoscopy!

I've got an endoscopy schedule for next wednesday!

I'm just looking for anyone's experience before/during/and after the procedure!

Thanks!

My endoscopy went so smoothly that I didn't remember much of anything. I remember the doctor putting the plastic mask on my face and before I knew it, I was lying down in a nice, comfortable bed.

I felt a little groggy, but otherwise felt fine. I was warned that I might feel some stomach or esophageal pain (due to the biopsies taken) afterwards, but all I felt was the normal pain I felt anyway.

They told me not to drink any water for at least 2 hours and not eat any solid foods for 4 hours.

My endoscopy was seamless and would have no fear to do it again. I'm sure I'll have another one in a year or so just to make sure I've completely healed.

Sadly I had to reschedule, so ill be going November 4th now.. but thank you for the replies! I WILL be having the sedative.

By far, the anticipation and the worry beforehand was so much worse than the actual procedure.

I had sedation but I was still relatively lucid and can remember most of the procedure, the only bit that is fuzzy was them putting the scope in. It was not at all painful, and thanks to the sedatives I found the whole thing kind of funny because the movement of the scope makes you burp a lot. I clearly remember the biopsies being taken and it was nothing, I barely felt it, less than a pin prick. Taking the scope out felt a little strange but it didn't hurt and I wasn't bothered by it at all, just more burping haha.

Thank you!!

Hi, Melissuh - I just got home 1 1/2 hrs ago from my fourth Endoscopy this year. My throat isn't even sore, just a little hoarse. Due to the short-term relaxer, I'm supposed to eat light, no driving or alcohol for the rest of today and tomorrow. And they said take it easy today; no worries! I'll be loafing, for sure...

Popsicle for lunch, maybe some chicken soup. Not hungry anyway.

I realize Doctors differ in how they do things. But I think most of them are using a short-term sedative for this procedure. Hardest part is no water (or coffee!) from midnight until procedure is over.

You go in and put on a hospital gown (you get to keep your underwear on!) and they hook you up to a nice little warm air unit that goes into the gown. ( Looks a little like a hair-dryer hose... you may not have ever had a bonnet hair-dryer.) So then they hook you up to an iv-drip (saline solution) in preparation for the short-term sedative.

A lot of different medical people will pop in to ask a lot of questions.... this is a good thing. They are very careful even with a minor procedure like this.

They will attach three contact pads to your chest to monitor your heart and take your blood pressure. All this will stay on until you are done.

Your Gastroenterologist will pop in to say hi and reassure you. A person from anasthesiology will come by and ask lots of questions, again a good thing. They are being careful.

When your turn comes around, off to the surgery room on your floating lily-pad. When you get there you will be positioned, oxygen placed in your nose, a mouth-guard placed in your mouth (to protect teeth and tongue) and within seconds you will be out! Next thing you know you will be asking for a cup of ice-water, and wondering if they did the procedure yet!

I hope you will find this information reassuring. Once you've had an endoscopy, you won't be afraid of another.

Best wishes on your medical journey! Fresh Greens