having an endoscopy

I am waiting to have an endoscopy in a few weeks time.  I am petrified!  Can anyone tell me what its like.  Whats  the worst bit   do you feel like your choking  and can you breathe ok.  Would appreciate any reassurance.  Thanks  Carol

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
Upper GI endoscopy is a procedure in which a long tube is passed in to the stomach up to the duodenum ( 1st part of small intestine).
This is done to look for inflammations, ulcers, erosions, varices, diverticula and tumors.
It takes only a couple of minutes to complete this procedure.
An anesthetic medication will be sprayed on to your throat to minimize discomfort ( the protocol differs in different centers however). A mouthguard will be placed to keep your mouth open and also not bite the scope.
If you are too anxious, the procedure may be done under mild sedation with medications like midazolam.
Slight choking sort of thing may be felt for a fraction of a second while the tube crosses the throat ( which is minimized with the spray).
Breathing is not affected.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.

- Ratnakar Kini M.D.

[scubaskim]

Hi,

I had an Upper one done today-  The worst part was the taste of the anesthetic medication they spray in your throat.  They put me under an IV and gave me mild anesthetic.  I don't really remember what happened during the procedure but after about 30 minutes I was awake and a little groggy.  Didn't really have any side effects to the procedure.  I was very scared since I've never had a procedure like this done before but turned out not to be bad at all.  Don't worry about it!