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Posted 12/19/2006 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

My doc just told me I need to have and endocopy done because of my gerd. I've never had one and I'm feeling nervous about it. Can anyone tell me what it is going to be like?

I was taking nexium for my gerd until my insurance company decided not to cover it. Now I've had to take prevacid and since I need two per day my doc thinks it's time to get a scope done.

Thanks for any advice.
Posted 12/19/2006 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,
I had one done in September. It was over before I knew what hit me. The doctor sprayed my throat with some numbing spray, then gave me something intravenously that knocked me right out. I was awake in about 45 minutes. Mind you, it took me a good couple of hours to get over the grogginess and after that I felt fine. My throat was sore for a day after and that was it. All in all, it was painless.
Posted 12/19/2006 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, that doesn't sound too awful. My hubby had a similar procedure(ERCP) and he is hard to sedate so he remembers everything and that had me feeling very nervous. I've had a colonoscopy done and other than the prep part, I don't remember the actual procedure so I'm hoping it will go as well.
Posted 12/20/2006 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,I just had a colonoscopy and endoscope at the same time and i dont remember a thing.I was so nervous at first but i would do it again if i had to,it was a breeze,dont worry.The endoscope showed that i have Barrets osophagus,im now on nexium and i have to have this test every year now because Barrets osophagus can cause cancer cells.Im glad i had this test. Tammy
Posted 12/20/2006 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
yeah  I just had the scope done about 4 months ago I was really scared but honestly it was a piece of cake...went in went to sleep Bam it was done never felt a thing even after went home had a lite dinner and that was that...I have anxiety and panic too...so don't worry you will do great.
Posted 12/21/2006 5:16 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks for your replies.  It really helps to hear that you guys are saying it was easy.  I hate being a big scaredy cat about this.  Wow, both scopes at once! Yikes!  Well, maybe it's best to get them over with all at once.  My doc mentioned that Barrett's esophagus too.  I used to take Nexium for the longest time so I'm hoping that might have prevented some damage.  Does anyone know if nexium is the only med that helps like that?

Thanks again!

Posted 12/25/2006 7:48 PM (GMT 0)

heatmiser said...

Thanks for your replies.  It really helps to hear that you guys are saying it was easy.  I hate being a big scaredy cat about this.  Wow, both scopes at once! Yikes!  Well, maybe it's best to get them over with all at once.  My doc mentioned that Barrett's esophagus too.  I used to take Nexium for the longest time so I'm hoping that might have prevented some damage.  Does anyone know if nexium is the only med that helps like that?

Thanks again!

No, Nexium is not the only drug that can help prevent erosion.  So do Prilosec (the old version of Nexium), Aciphex, and Prevacid...

The endoscopy is no big deal.  They put you in a state where you don't realize you are there (it's called "conscious sedation," I believe).  When it is over and the meds wear off, you don't even remember it!  You can have it done without sedation but most people don't because they don't want to take the chance of gagging.  I felt zero pain after it.  It was like nothing happened!

Posted 12/26/2006 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
 I have had eight EGDs done over the past two years. I had a fundoplication, successful, in 2001.  But, due to a 2004 auto accident which tore my diaphram and fundo, I had to have a redo fundoplication.  I've had problems with food sticking since the surgery done Nov. 2004.  I am now being seen by a surgeon (referred by my gastroenterologist) and this surgeon has indicated to me that having a fundo done again (which would be my 3rd) would be tricky due to scar tissue.  So, I don't know whether to have it done or not. I have another hiatal hernia and have been suffering for one year with ulcers in the esophagus. Meds don't seem to be helping heal them (Nexium and Protonix). I just know I cannot go on this way ... eating food daily which gets stuck to the point I throw it up. I'd love to hear from anyone who has had repeat fundoplications as to their success or not. So, don't be too concerned about an endoscopy...it is really quite easy. The doctor will spray your throat, or give you some gel-like stuff to suck on which will numb the throat.  You will have an IV in the right hand area, where they will give you meds to make you woozy.  Actually I usually remember them saying they are giving it to me, and then I wake up and it is done.  You should/will not feel anything during the testing.  After, you may have a sore throat for a day or so, but gargling with salt water helps that. 
Posted 12/26/2006 3:30 AM (GMT 0)

I didn't even have a sore throat after my endoscopy.  And I didn't feel woozy at all.

discouragedinMaine, there is another thread where a person wrote about having more than one fundo. done.  Or maybe you can post a new thread to find out if anyone else has had that.  Sorry about the car accident, etc.

Posted 12/26/2006 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
I just joined and am not familiar with site yet. Where do I view the "Thread" where a person wrote about having more than one fundo done?? Thanks and nice to meet you.
Posted 12/26/2006 3:57 AM (GMT 0)

discouragedinMaine said...
I just joined and am not familiar with site yet. Where do I view the "Thread" where a person wrote about having more than one fundo done?? Thanks and nice to meet you.

The thread is called "three fundos and still Gerd."  So the person hasn't been cured.  Still, maybe you can relate to each other?  You just go to the main GERd page and stroll down to find it.  Or, maybe you can post a new post asking if anyone else has been in your same boat.  Good luck.  nice to meet you too.

friendlygal

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