WHAT IS A SCOPE

[moozie]

Hello,

After  2months with no relief form meds, the doctor has ordered a scope from a GI specialist, can someone tell me what it is and what the procedure is for and how they do it.

Thanks

I'm really scared.


Moozie

[jaspur]

I have an endoscopy w/biopsy every 18 months. They give you vallium and a drug called vesid intravenously. The vallium puts you to sleep and the versid (amsensiac) makes you forget. I have never felt anything. Ask your Doc what it is that they are going to give you to "knock" you out. After my first endo I always make sure I get the same drugs and doses,write it down because the versid makes you forget and make sure you tell the person that you are with to recall what the Doc says after the test because you will nor remember. After 10 of these procedures I have never had an unpleasant experience...Good Luck

[marygold]

Hey, Christine, don't get too wound up over this. I was so sure I had Barrett's Esophagus when I went for my scope because I've had GERD for a good 6 yrs by then, and figured I had it for sure. The biopsy came back negative, meaning I didn't have it. How long have you had GERD/reflux now? If I didn't have anything after having it for over 6yrs, untreated, then chances are, you won't have anything. Take a deep breath, calm down, and drink some herbal tea. My fav teas are the "Wellness Herb Tea" line by Celestial Seasonings. I add just a little touch of honey, and they are my stress reliever. The one called GingerEase has herbs added that naturally enhance digestion, and it's caffeine free! I know I said this before, but try not to worry. You can make yourself sicker that way. I know it makes me sicker.

[marygold]

Hey, yo! I had my scope on Jan 15th 2002. Funny funny. Good luck!

[moozie]

I'm so worried I have gastric cancer. I going insane !

[moozie]

Thanks Marygold,anmi and the other person who replied, don't know what I would do without this place. Sheesh !
I hope I'm as brave as you guys are ! I'm just shaking

I've been on Pariet for the last week, he has increased my meds to 20mg twice a day. Seem to get a bit of relief from that.
But I'm worried that he thinks that there is something more serious that's why he is sending me for a scope. I'm a single mom and I"m all they have.

The diet thing is true and trying to relax is another, suffering from panic attacks sure doesn't help my situation. I always think that I have the worse. I would love if anyone could email me anytime . ***@****

Christiane, my scope if for January 15, 2003, maybee I'll be better then and I won't have to go...*sigh*.

Thanks again ,

Moozie

[marygold]

Hey, Moozie! It's me again.

I've had a endoscopy (another name for the scope test) in January 2002. It ain't no big deal, and not worth getting all stressed over, though I know you probably will. It goes much smoother if you're relaxed. Basically, they give you a local anaesthetic in the back of your throat, and you swallow some of it to numb your espohagus. They give you oxygen, and stick a hunk of plactic in your mouth so you won't bite the scope. The scope is just a long, flexible tube with a light and camera on the end that is fed down your throat. It takes pictures of you esophagus, and goes through your stomach to take pictures of your duodenum, too. (The start of the small bowel right where the stomach ends.) The doctor can also take a small sample of your lower esophageal tissue, called a biopsy, if you've authorized it, so they can test it for any abnormalities. I had a biopsy, and it will give you pain for about a day, sometimes longer, where they took the sample. You can feel the scope going down your esophagus, but there is no pain. it's just there. I tried my best to stay awake during the procedure, cuz I wanted to learn more about it, but there wasn't much to see. I was facing away from the tv screen that the scope was linked to, and the stuff they gave me made me sleepy. I fell asleep, and there was no pain or discomfort. Just remember to relax, if you can. While you're having it, just remember that you're in the hands of a specialist, and he/she will take care of you. The most you can do it relax and take a snooze. My mom was more anxious than I was. I was looking forward to a good nap. Afterwards, your stomach will be filled with gas, from air that got trapped when the scope was being performed. I know this sounds weird, but the nurse will tell you to burp (and even fart) to get the gas out. It's important that you do. If you don't have a biopsy taken, you will feel slight discomfort for a day, but no pain. Look forward to it as a nap. Most people fall asleep afterwards, and are sleepy for a while. You are not allowed to drive home. Someone else has to come get you. I didn't sleep for that long. I woke up at the end, when they were wheeling me out. I rolled over and went back to sleep. You'll feel tired, and that's fine. Sleep as long as you want. It's not a general anaesthetic, so there's no danger there.

If there's anything I've forgotten or that you want to know, email me. When is your scope test? I'll try my best to answer right away, but it may be a day before I answer because it's right in the middle of finals week. You have my email.

Good luck!

Christiane

[iamamy]

I forgot to tell you that they will insert a small tube into your esophagus.  This has a device (like a camera, I guess) that they may see the inside of the esophagus and then they will look at the stomach.  The Dr. will also take some biopsies to check for H-pylori and probably some other things (of which I'm not sure).  The main thing is that they do a very thorough exam while they are there.  My Gastro Dr. did not do my scope.  That was before I got a Gastro Dr.  The surgeon that did my scope did not do any biopsies.  So, the Dr. is wanting to redo it himself so he can understand my condition better.  The procedure only lasts about 10 minutes.  Hope that helps.

[nathal]

the scope is called endoscopy -- had that recently.  It's quite simple and it seems scary, but really nothing to worry about because you'll be sedated and won't remember much.  You GI doc will pass a scope (it looks like a long snake with a light at the end).  I know I was totally scared, but when it was over I asked when it was going to start. The only thing is when you come back to reality your throat will be a bit sore for a day.  Just drink plenty of fluids and suck on some mint lozanges.  Also remember not to eat any solid foods before the procedure (can't remember how many hrs).  Don't worry and good luck!  They did not find anything on my scope -- so it could still be my gallbladder.

[iamamy]

Hey Mootsie.  I should have commented to you earlier.  I have been having the same problems as you.  I have never had heartburn before until 3 months ago.  I was in severe pain, all the time.  I too am having a hard time finding any medicine that will work.  But, hang in there.  Things are getting better for me.  I will tell you, that I do not think it is the medication.  I having started a very strict diet.  I have lost 30 lbs. in 3 months.  I don't eat anything spicy, nothing with caffeine, no chocolate, nothing fried, no chips, soft drinks, or anything greasy.  I have been eating mainly boiled chicken, and very little beef.  I could go on an on, but I won't.  I really believe that the diet has made the biggest difference.  Also, I was really stressing myself out, of course you kind of tend to do that when you are in pain, but I believe that also contributed to the severeness of the reflux.  Once I calmed down a little, I think that helped it to also calm down.  But, now about the scope.  First of all, let me tell you that I may be 33 years old, but I am a BIG CHICKEN.  I have never had to have any kind of medical procedure.  In fact, I am too scared to have my wisdom teeth cut out.  I am saying all of that to tell you that the scope is a very easy procedure.  I was terrified, but it was really easy.  They will start an IV, spray your throat with a numbing spray, put a bite block in your mouth, and then they will give you a little something in your IV to relax you.  I was aware of what was going on for a while, and then I don't remember any of the rest.  I slept for 14 hours afterwards.  Good luck.  I definitely think you should have one done.  I will be praying for your speedy recovery from this GERD.  It has been challenging for me.  I still question things everyday.  Sorry for the long post.  I hope this helped.