Gastroscopy

[Shadeebare]

I have to go for a gastroscopy on Thursday and was wondering if anyone out here has gone for one. I am nervous, because I do not know what to expect. Can anyone tell me what they will do to me and will I be out of it for the day... Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

[Shadeebare]

Thank you everyone for your feedback... I feel so much better now... I still have a little anxiety, which I would think to be normal, but I feel nothing like I did before I got all of your responses. Thank you all so much! Happy Holidays to all!

[noonoo]

Don't worry.
I've had two without sedation, just the spray.
I was very worried before the first one. For me they were over within 5 mins. But I didn't have any biopsies or anything taken.

In the UK:-

1. Blood pressure and heart rate tested before procedure.
2. Spray to back of throat just before.
3. Small oxygen tube just inserted in one nostril.
4. Pulse clip on earlobe.
5. Lie on your side.
6. Swallow scope (I found it very easy). Try and relax and
   breath normally. This sounds ridiculous but its OK.
   My heart rate actually lowered to about 75!
   I did not gag once.
7. Scope removed.
8. 30 minutes later heart rate and blood pressure tested again.

The only thing I would say is that you can feel the scope moving about inside you which is a bit of an weird sensation. It doesn't hurt, just odd.

In the UK sedation is optional, I chose not to have it on both occasions.

It really is not worth worrying about.

Hope this helps.
:-)

[nadia]

Speaking from personal experience, I believe that a sedative is used through intravenous feed.  I don't think that a general anesthetic is always used. They use a local anesthetic spray for the back of your throat to prevent the gagging reflex. I don't think they used enough because I still gagged a little when they told me to swallow the tube.  I can remember much of what went on and it was over very quickly. It is my feeling that if the problem is bad enough, the test is really nothing compared to the pain that you must endure.  I am scheduled for another scope in February.

[catwoman2965]

You're welcome; I've had one EGD (Gastroscopy), two ERCP's (a different type of endoscopic procedure) and and endoscopic ultrasound (where they use the scope as well).  My overall experience is that it isn't nearly as bad as you imagine it to be.  The first couple I got all worked up about this and that, and it turned out to be so much better than I though.  You really won't feel or be aware of anything, the anasthesia is quick acting; in seconds, and then you wake up and you're all done.

[Andydrew]

I've had this done a couple of times, once with anasthesia
and the other time with a sedative. The procedure didn't hurt at all. It is over in several minutes. The sedatives were too strong for me and left me too drowsy afterwards but the anasthesia knocked me out fast and woke me up fast. No problem.  

Don't worry, it really doesn't hurt. If you have an allergic reactions to medications make sure the doctor knows.

GOOD LUCK!!

[Shadeebare]

Thank you for the feedback. I feel somewhat better now knowing what is going to happen. I too am worried about the anesthesia, becuase I never had that before.  I never had surgery done or nothing like that. So I feel a little uneasy. Thanks for the reply!

[catwoman2965]

I've actually had several of them, and there's really nothing to be worried about.  I was most nervous the first time about the anasthesia, but after it was all over i was fine.  You will most likely be alseep for the whole thing, and won't even feel or know the scope is going down.  

My experience was THAT they bring you into the procedure room, and then put a hard rubber cylinder with a hole in it in your mouth, with a strap that goes around your head.  This is where the scope will go down your throat, but they knock you out first, so you won't feel a thing.  The next thing you know, you are waking up in recovery.  They kept me for about a half and hour to make sure everything was ok, and then i went home.    You won't be able to drive, so you need to ahve someone there to take you home.  I was sleepy, but not out of it...i just went home and took a nap and was ok.  It also depends on how you react to anasthesia...not to alarm you, but my mom had one, and she was sleepy and slightly out of it for a day or two. you are able to eat, and everything else is ok.  All in all, don't worry about it, it will be over before you know it!  Good luck!