Endoscopy - scared and need advice

Not sure when you should stop taking meds but my wife and I have both had endoscopy tests and you will be fine.so don't sit there worrying. All the best.

Hi

Don't worry about the endoscopy. I'm a wimp when it comes to things like that, but I got through mine and the docs were able to get a clear view of things in my stomach.

The throat spray is a bit yucky, but noting serious. I never felt too much of the tube going down, it was only when it was further inside, that you do feel it and it feels awkward, as your body isn't used to having a tube put down it lol

Just explain to the staff how you feel and ask them to take it slowly. The hospital staff with me were brilliant. there was one point I wanted them to take it out, but they got me to focus on my breathing and talked me through everything.

If I can do it, you can. Try not to worry too much. It really takes no more than 5 minutes and you'll be chuffed that you got through it. 

 

I had the throat spray. I didn't feel it going down my throat, just when it got further down into my body, but thats when you have to let go and focus on your breathing and think of other things.

When you do go for your endoscopy, you might find the sedation better, if your in pain. I haven't had the sedation, as I don't like going under. But thats just my opinion. Talk with your doctor about it :-)

They should offer you the choice of sedation or just throat spray. Most people find sedation means you'll find the scope no big deal but you'll need someone to take you home and not use machinery for 24 hours.

Sedation doesn't work with me so I have to rely on just throat spray and it's not nice. I try to remain quite calm and not to gag.

Once you have a date, do check with the hospital about medication. Usually it's not necessary to come off it. Remaining on the medication means there shouldn't be oesophagitis to obscure the view for any abnormalities such as Barrett's Oesophagus. (Occasionally it's necessary to be off medication if they wish to see if it's necessary.)

If your hospital's anything like mine, you may have to wait a while. My next scope's due but I know they're rushed off their feet working over weekends as well and understaffed and having to pay to send some to a privatised hospital for scoping.

All the best,

Chris

I have had three endoscophys, two with sedation, one without. It is over with rather quickly and there are nurses there to help you feel at ease. I prefer to have the sedation. Try not to worry as the thought of it is worse than the actual thing. I hsd oesophagitis and some years later gastitis, both times put on omeprezole and zantac, as too long on the omeprezole caused me extra symptoms. At the moment i am not on medication.

Hi I hope all goes well for your appointment

I have had this with and without sedation

I personally prefer sedation as I did not

Remember having it done.

It was useful for me to have these tests as

I needed to have surgery.

I recently had the linx procedure.

Good luck

I am the biggest wimp ever !!! I remember sitting in the room thinking " They are going to stick a pipe down in my stomach "... I was panicking but opted for the throat spray and you know what it was nothing!!! In fact if someone came into our house now and said could I do it there and then I would open my mouth for the spray ..the spray tastes like bitter stuff and makes you want to wipe your tongue . Then as the it starts working you can't feel yourself swAllow which is the strangest experience ever . I kept saying I can't swallow but the doctor just laughed and said you can you just can't feel it . He took a few biopsies which felt like a bubble of wind in my stomach ( no pain just a feeling) and within 2 mins it was done !!!! My husbands friend took great delight in telling me the horrors he gies through when he has his and I'm sorry I listened to him as it was nothing like he said . Just focus on your breathing , not because you are going to die or anything , but whilst you are focusing on that you won't think about what they are doing . I then went on to have one up my nose a few days later and I was like " bring it on I am fearless "... Again the taste of the spray was the worst bit . Good luck and I hope you get your diagnosis you want x

Hi I have had my endoscopy and it showed I have Barrett'S Oesophagus. The endoscopy was fine, I had sedation and didn't remember a thing about it. I will need to take medication for the rest of my life and have regular endoscopies to rule out any change in the cells. I still have the symptoms, some days are worse than others. I would advise anyone to go for the endoscopy and don't delay because you are scared, it is really nothing to worry about.