Terrified of Endoscopy

[beccabond]

Hello.  I'm 27 years old, and I've been having stomach problems since November.  Basically, I'm experiencing nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and a burning ache in my upper left abdomen late at night or after eating.  I tested negative for the h. pylori antibodies by blood test in November.  I was given Prevacid 30 mg, but it didn't help much, and it made the nausea worse.  Now I'm on Zantac 150-300mg.  Today I had an ultrasound on my abdomen, but there was no sign of gallstones.  The techinician said it was hard to tell, though, because there was so much gas present in my abdomen.  I have no pain on my right side, so I never thought it would be my gallbladder anyway.  My gastroenterologist wants me to schedule an endoscopy, and though I know I need it, I'm terrified.  I have a terrible gag reflex.  My gastroenterologist said he would give me a strong sedative (stronger than the norm for endoscopy), and an anesthesiologist would be present.  He promised me I would not wake up during the procedure.  I have this fear of waking up with the tube down my throat, gagging, and throwing up.  I've read stories on the internet of this happening to people.  My sister and mother have both had an endoscopy, though, and they said they can't remember a thing.  Can anyone give me any reassurance that the endoscopy is not as big of a deal as I'm making it out to be?  Thank you so much.

[endoscopyhurts]

A related discussion, Endoscopy with Sedation can hurt was started.

[midsummer]

I had an endoscopy last July and only had my throat sprayed no IV at all. I was alive and kicking throughout. I did not gag once although three nurses were stroking my head and hands just incase.
Very quick procedure.

[isoabch]

I have had four endoscopies done since September because of recurrent pancreatitis.  I have to tell you my first one was like something from the Dark Ages because I was not given enough sedation and was already coming out of it before they had the scope out of my mouth.  I then went to a university teaching hospital where I had four more ERCP's done.  It was a totally different experience.  I remember nothing, I felt nothing -- it was almost a totally non-experience.  If you have a good relationship with your doctor and he realizes that you are very concerned, I am sure that he will do all that is necessary to make sure that you are cared for with the utmost
caution.  Good Luck.

[Suziepie]

Their going to put you out, so you have nothing to worry about.  My daughter had it done when she was 15.  About a year ago.  If you take any medication to calm yourself down be sure to mention it because you don't want to be overmedicated.  They give you plenty of stuff before the procedure.  It's not bad at all.

[Blueyes132005]

ok..I don't know anything about endoscopies...but I might have to get a colonoscopy and I'm scared to death. my doctor thinks I might have chron's...can ANYONE give me some advice??? PLEASE!!

[Son4]

Just had one last friday piece of cake I didnt even remember leaving the hospital and I had a biopsy too so fear not It was very simple hardest thing was not having that weak cup of coffee the morning of the test

[banyantree]

Don't be to worried about the endoscopy. I have had 4 in the last several years, never had it done under anesthesia (that is way too scary for me).......I've had wonderful doctors, that sprayed the local anethesia in my throat, which helped a lot. I also got to see the inside of my stomach (I found that pretty interesting and it helped me cope with the situation), and within 2 minutes, I was done......and he was pulling the scope out. If you don't mind being under, then I would go for that.
Good luck!

[4gpact]

If they do it right, it is a piece of cake, you won't even know what happened. It sounds like your doctor is aware of your anxiety and will handle it accordingly. Just keep repeating yourself to everyone at the hospital. Might not hurt to take something before going for the procedure. The anticpation is worse than the procedure. It is a very quick procedure too, and I always sleep like a baby after I get home.

[nadia]

I had my 2nd endoscopy on Monday.  They used a local anasthetic spray at the back of my throat and  a sedative through the IV.  I immediately went into a twilight state and it was over within the next 2 minutes.( I guess it just seemed like 2 mins.) Anyway I was kind of disappointed because I wanted to see what was going on. I didn't even sleep afterward. They gave me a muffin with apple juice for a snack and that was it. I was a little groggy but it didn't last and I went home an hour later. The biopsies may cause a little internal bleeding so don't be alarmed if you have a little blood in the stool. It goes away very quickly. I don't think I would have liked to be completely out because I wouldn't want to wake up in the middle of the procedure.  Anyway, good luck and don't worry!

[beccabond]

From the way the gastroenterologist explained it to me, he said I will be completely out of it.  He said that they normally give people a sedative to help them relax, but that with me they would give me a very strong sedative that will put me to sleep, though not a general anesthesia.  He said this type of strong sedative is often even used during surgeries.  It doesn't sound like that is what you had since you remember the gagging of them putting the endoscope down your throat.  Has anyone had an endoscopy done with this stronger than normal sedative?

[Askos]

I just had an endoscopy done last month (December).  I am a terrible gagger, too, and I told them that.  In most cases, the sedative is light, and you will be awake throughout the procedure.  So I was terrified because I am a such a bad gagger.  I told them that, and they gave me more local anesthesia.  They spray it into the back of your throat and you gargle it.  (I am such a bad gagger that I don't gargle, so they helped me gargle.)  I did gag some when they sprayed the anesthesia and at the very instant the doctor put the endoscope into my throat.  But after that it was very easy!  The sedative takes effect very quickly and relaxes you just as the doc puts the endoscope into your throat.  It was much easier than I expected.  In fact, for the next day or two afterwards, I felt the best I had in months!  Not sure why.  They will fill your stomach with air, and then after the test you belch it out, and this felt real good, for me at least.  Anyways, not a bad test at all.

[beccabond]

Thank you both for your comments.  This makes me feel better.  I just wanted to make sure they didn't start the procedure until I was completely knocked out.  I will let you know how it goes.

[catwoman2965]

It really isn't that bad; I've had 3, and am about to have a 4th in a couple of weeks.  For all of mine I was completely out.  Some doctors will do it under sedation where you are awake, but not aware, and even that isn't so bad (I had one of those as well!)  BUt if you are going to be completely out, the anasthesiologist will inject the medicine into your iv, and the next thing you know, you are waking up.  I have never woken up in any of the ones I was out for during the procedure.  They won't insert the tube until you are out, and continue the medicine until they are finished, and then you wake up. I was nervous too before the first one, but now they don't bother me at all...I think the thought of what's going to happen sometimes is worse than the actual procedure.  GOood luck!

[MTV]

Please...try not to get so upset about the procedure.  I am 31 and had an endoscopy done about a year and a half ago.  They do give you a sedative as well as a spray that numbs the back of your throat.  I did not wake up at all.  Trust me...lots of things went through my mind too...and what you imagine is usually worse than the reality.  Don't let your fears prevent you from getting it done....it is just a precaution to make sure nothing more serious is going on.  My endoscopy went fairly well..and I am sure that yours will too.  Please let us know how it goes...good luck!

Melinda