After an ENDOSCOPY-How did you feel?

[Dnas1]

After an endoscopy what are the possible symptoms after?
Please do not suggest that the person ask the doctor, as she would like to hear from others who underwent such. Thank you.

[Banned1]

This is an honest response, so please don't read this if you don't want to know.  I've had an upper endoscopy, which was really easy.  Later that summer, I had a colonoscopy that was easy (beyond the preparation).  Both were quick and relatively painless.  I've also had an ERCP.  A year after the ERCP, I had a Sphincterotomy.  The ERCP and Sphincterotomy were anything but easy.  After the ERCP, I developed acute pancreatitis.  

I think your experience depends upon the GI and technicians who conduct these procedures.  Their skill and comfort levels set the tone.  I was mostly awake during both the ERCP and the Sphincterotomy.  It's horrible because you can't communicate with that stupid tube down your throat.  You also can't move and, if you move involuntarily or in response to someone else's actions, it can be painful in your throat and your abdomen.  I was crying, too, and I became terrified that my nose would get congested and, since that was the only way I felt I could breathe, I panicked.  Eventually, I just did my best to remain as calm as possible and let the tears fall down my temples.  They eventually gave up on the ERCP, which was failed.  The Sphincterotomy was a technical "success" in that they removed a stone, sludge and provided better drainage.  Unfortunately, my symptoms didn't improve afterward and, because the procedure was "successful", my GI gave up on me and I haven't been able to find another GI willing to help me.

The most important thing is to know what's going to happen.  Talk to your Doctor and express any concerns you have.  There is an element of risk with any procedure, so if your Doctor blows you off or won't take the time to speak with you or if you have a bad feeling, say something!  Tell one of the nurses if you're afraid and, if you are nauseous beforehand, please say something.  They can give you a medication to help that.  Finally, I made sure to note that I didn't want a resident to work on me.  If you feel the same way, write on your admission papers that "I do not give my permission to allow residents or students to conduct this procedure".  That should protect you.  I know they have to learn sometime, but I didn't want them "learning" on me, especially if they have to 'learn the hard way'.

Good luck and Godspeed,

Sam

[leevinejr]

I have all of the symptoms mentioned but have massive diarrhea as well and feel yucky and tired.  Anybody have that from just the endoscopy?

[bmw1]

I had an upper endoscopy with esophageal dilation and biopsies 6 years ago and 10 months ago (for evaluation of dysphagia). I also had concurrent colonoscopies (family history of colon cancer.)

They were among the least intrusive, most comfortable procedures I've ever had. The 'conscious' sedation was pretty heavy duty. I recall very little about the acts of the procedures. My GI is older and experienced, and the facility was warm and friendly.

I felt no discomfort after any of these 4 procedures. Just a little groggy from the sedation which wore off by the end of the day. I did pass blood in my stools the next day which can be common if you a procedure (I had 4 polyps removed.)

All in all, the tests went well, and the results were negative for anything serious.

[nansong]

Hi, I had my first one 2 days ago.It wasn't bad at all. I was a little tired afterwards for that night,and I had a mild headache. But I awoke the next morn feeling fine.Hope all goes well. Nancy

[jencob]

I have had 3 endoscopies.  All of them have gone well.  Obviously it is not something you want to have done, but the meds help me to rest up.

[Lmarie3157]

Hey  I actually just had my first one this morning.  I was very nervous about it but it went very smoothly and I feel completely fine like nothing every happened. No sore throat or anything.  :)  Hope that helps

[Banned1]

Hi there:

What type of endoscopy was it?  Upper endoscopy?  ERCP?  EUS?  They all require some sedation, so usually it takes a day or two to recover from that but if you're worried at all, please call the hospital where you had the procedure done or refer to the literature they gave you when you were discharged.

All the best and feel better soon,

Sam