Upper endoscopy with sedation - my positive experience

I had an upper endoscopy done a few weeks ago and I wanted to share my positive experience. I was so nervous and scared before this procedure and combed the internet for people's detailed experiences, so here's mine. Hopefully this can help set your mind at rest if you are about to have this done!

I am a female 23-year-old. I developed upper right stomach pain after taking indomethacin for 4 days. My doctor believed it had caused an ulcer and put me on first Tagamet and then Prilosec, in ever increasing doses. My pain just kept getting worse and the meds weren't helping, so I was referred for an EDG or upper endoscopy.

I had a brief appointment first with the doctor who would be performing the procedure. He was friendly and answered my questions and asked about my pain. Then I saw a nurse who answered more questions, told me not to eat any solids after 5 pm the night before my procedure, and scheduled the EDG. I asked what I would be given for sedation and the nurse wasn't sure, except she knew propofol for sure would be included.

I was so nervous leading up to my procedure, especially because no one was available to go with me and I had to go alone. But I felt pretty good on the actual day of the procedure. I had only clear liquids after 5 pm the night before, and then nothing at all except a tiny sip of water with my med that morning. I thought I would be really hungry and thirsty but I felt fine.

My husband dropped me off at the hospital and I checked in. A nurse met me in a waiting room and brought me up to the right place. I was put in a private little room with a nurse. She gave me a hospital gown, shower cap type thing, and little paper booties. She told me to undress completely but I was on my period and asked her if I could keep my panties on. She said sure, so I took off everything else and got dressed in the hospital paraphernalia.

The nurse had me get comfortable on the bed and we went over paperwork, she took my vitals, I answered questions, picked out what I wanted to eat and drink afterwards (apple juice and cookies), and she got an IV started. I have a hard time with IVs normally, but the nurse got it in without a problem.

I waited for a while and then met my surgical nurse and the anesthesiologist. I asked the anesthesiologist what sedation I was going to get. He said propofol. I asked if I could breastfeed after the procedure (I breastfeed my 18-month-old) and he said yes, no problem. Finally I saw the doctor I had my pre-procedure appointment with, and he asked if I was ready. I said yes.

I felt pretty terrified as I was rolled into the procedure room. I was so scared of not waking up from the propofol. But things started moving pretty quickly from that point and I didn't have much time to think. There were several nurses and the anesthesiologist in the room, which was cold. They covered me in warm blankets and put little sticky monitors on my chest. They had me roll onto my left side and put pillows under me to support me comfortably. A green plastic thing was put on my mouth which felt weird but not uncomfortable.

The anesthesiologist clipped something into my IV and told me I might feel a burning pain. I didn't, just warmth going up my arm. He told me to take a few deep breaths and I did and suddenly I was out.

I felt like I was asleep for a while. I dreamt some and had a hazy sense of time passing like you do when you are asleep. Then suddenly I was waking up in recovery. It was such a weird experience. I felt like my senses faded in one at a time. At first all I noticed was a beeping sound, then slowly my vision came back, hazy and dark. Then I could hear people talking and my vision cleared and I remembered where I was and what was going on.

There was a nurse next to me. I think we talked but I don't remember what she said. I felt like I was waking up from a very heavy sleep and had a hard time focusing on what was happening. I asked if the procedure was over and she said yes. I suddenly realized that it was all behind me and I hadn't died. I was so relieved I started crying, which was very unexpected and awkward. I am not a crier normally, I think it was an effect of the propofol.

After a few minutes, the doctor came in and told me that I did not have an ulcer, I have gastritis. I had a very hard time focusing on what he was saying and asked him for clarification a few times. He gave me some material to read about gastritis and wrote a brief note on the paper explaining his findings, then left.

Soon afterwards I was taken back into the first small room I had been in. I was given my requested snack and drink and told to eat it slowly and take my time. I texted family members to let them know the procedure was over. The snack tasted great but my throat was sore and uncomfortable.

I was told I could go home whenever I could dress myself, so I slowly started working on that. I felt sluggish and weak, and I could see in the mirror that I was pale and looked exhausted. It took me a while to get dressed, and then the nurse walked me to the hospital exit and made sure my husband had arrived to pick me up. He had, and we headed home.

I was very relieved to be done, but exhausted from the propofol and stress. I spent the next few hours on the couch, sipping cold drinks and eating Popsicles to soothe my throat. After the rest I felt quite a bit better and was able to eat a meal and go about the rest of my day like normal. My throat felt totally fine the next morning.

Overall, the experience was so much less difficult than I had feared. I definitely stressed out about it far more that was needed! If you are about to have this procedure, I hope this detailed account is reassuring to you and that you will be able to relax a little and have a good experience as well!

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