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Author Topic: Endoscopy  (Read 27719 times)

Dancinggirl

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Endoscopy
« on: April 28, 2015, 03:13:46 PM »

I've been having persistent discomfort and burning across my abdomen/diaphragm and have been on PPI drugs for a suspected stomach ulcer.  My GP has now referred me for an endoscopy and the thought of this is really worrying me.  I had a cystoscopy last year and though this was uncomfortable it was bearable.  I can tolerate most things at the dentist but having impressions done for crowns often makes me gag badly. I can't eat spaghetti or anything slimy because it makes me gag. The though of this camera going down my throat is frightening me a bit - I've fullishly looked at stuff on the internet with people reporting some nasty experiences.   Apparently sedation can make you difficult to control so makes it more difficult for the doctor doing the procedure.
I know this is a routine procedure and I can probably have sedation but I'd like to hear some positive stuff and/or recommendations about the best option.
Has anyone had an Endoscopy? Did you have sedation together with the throat numbing? Did anyone find the numbing enough to stop you gagging without the sedation?
DG x
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CLKD

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Re: Endoscopy
« Reply #1 on: April 28, 2015, 03:18:51 PM »

Well for starters I would be discussing my worries with the Dept. concerned asking lots of questions.  I believe that a sedation is available and don't read what others complain about …….. ask the people in the Dept. how people are likely to react, they will be dealing with patients every day  ;)

Once you get the endo out of the way it will probably turn out to be a hiatus hernia  ::) which is a common complaint with ladies of a 'certain age'. 

I'm the same - there are certain food stuffs that I can't face …….. due to texture.
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Dancinggirl

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Re: Endoscopy
« Reply #2 on: April 28, 2015, 03:28:13 PM »

Thanks CKLD - I'm hoping it's something minor like that.  I don't get acid in my throat or anything - it's a nasty burn across my diaphragm which sometimes penetrates through to my back and up to my left shoulder. The PPIs seem to be helping but I still find I wake in the small hours with burning sometimes - it comes and goes through the day and when I'm empty it tends to burn. I'm eating small amounts often and avoiding foods that might aggravate.   As my older sister has Crohn's and my younger sister had Ulcerative colitis I'm naturally bit concerned.
I will quizz the department when I get a chance before the procedure.  DG x
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CLKD

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Re: Endoscopy
« Reply #3 on: April 28, 2015, 03:30:56 PM »

Give them a ring and see if they have someone you can talk to if you can't go along before, maybe there's an e-mail facility?  Don't wait or you will feel more nervous  ;)

Are you able to sleep with bed tilted to avoid the burning sensation?
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Jenna

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Re: Endoscopy
« Reply #4 on: April 28, 2015, 03:32:22 PM »

Hi Dancinggirl,

My sister paid privately and had a general anaesthetic - maybe the way to go if you are really worried. The second time she had numbing and sedation and didn't remember anything afterwards. She did say that it said in her notes that she had resisted the procedure, but I don't think she remembered anything about that.

Jenna x
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Dancinggirl

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Re: Endoscopy
« Reply #5 on: April 28, 2015, 03:43:42 PM »

Thank you CKLD and Jenna.
CKLD - sitting up doesn't make any difference - I'm sitting at the computer at the moment and it's burning now - I've just had a fennel tea to try and calm things.
Jenna - I've just spent a fortune on getting a root canal done privately and I had to pay to see a private gynae to get put back on HRT so can't justify having this done privately.  I will probably go for sedation but I don't like the idea that I will be out of control and perhaps difficult to handle while sedated - although I expect they are used to that.
I pride myself on being a practical person and don't generally get anxious about things - it's just my problem with gagging that worries me.  DG x
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Dancinggirl

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Re: Endoscopy
« Reply #6 on: April 28, 2015, 05:02:12 PM »

sparkle - thank you so much - that was really helpful. I wouldn't be at all surprised to be told I had a hiatus hernia - that's what I'm 'sort of' hoping. AS for gall stones - I believe it is a different type of pain - more severe and for particular bouts of time and the pain radiates up to the right shoulder - however if they rule out anything with the stomach I expect that may be the next avenue they go down in getting to the bottom of this issue.
DG x
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HorsesHorses

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Re: Endoscopy
« Reply #7 on: April 28, 2015, 05:05:57 PM »

Hi Dancing Girl,
I agree with Sparkle. I too was really worried about the endoscopy but it was fine. I opted for sedation and spray and I can hardly remember anything from it. The staff were great and really caring. It really was painless and quick.
HorsesHorses
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Dancinggirl

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Re: Endoscopy
« Reply #8 on: April 28, 2015, 05:11:06 PM »

Thank you HorsesHorses
I was feeling a bit of a wimp wanting to have sedation but I suspect they may prefer we go for this if we are nervous than have problems during the procedure or chicken out half way through.  DG x
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ellie

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Re: Endoscopy
« Reply #9 on: April 28, 2015, 05:36:24 PM »

Have had it done twice, once with and once without sedation.....if I have to have it done again, I would opt not to have sedation.....but that's because I like to go home as soon as its done...
It really isn't too bad, but if you are at all nervous, go with sedation.....
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SueRoe

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Re: Endoscopy
« Reply #10 on: April 28, 2015, 06:20:34 PM »

I had an endoscopy a few years ago and was so worried I phoned the hospital and said I was thinking of not coming. The nurse said she would tell the doc that I was so worried and to come in anyway. I did. My throat was sprayed with something that tasted bitter. A small "butterfly" needle was put into the back of my hand (painless) and the sedative was injected (I was given Midazolam). Then I was being asked to sit up because it was all over -they inject something to reverse the sedation once they've finished I believe. I remember nothing and wasn't sore after - ate scratchy toast straight away. I would have no qualms about having another. I'd advise making it VERY clear that you're worried. Also, stop reading what Google has to say! Apparently you're only difficult to control under sedation if you're thrashing around before they start.
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CLKD

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Re: Endoscopy
« Reply #11 on: April 28, 2015, 08:10:14 PM »

 :thankyou:  Freda.
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Linsey44

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Re: Endoscopy
« Reply #12 on: April 28, 2015, 08:39:19 PM »

Hi DG my husband has had 2 endoscopies and 2nd time opted for sedation, mainly as its a natural reaction to tense up,when awake.

Would a bed wedge be any help to you for comfort in bed?

Good luck
Linsey
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Dancinggirl

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Re: Endoscopy
« Reply #13 on: April 28, 2015, 09:21:49 PM »

Thank you everyone - your posts have been really helpful. I'm feeling far more confident now. I'm going to ask for sedation. DG xxxx
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oldsheep

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Re: Endoscopy
« Reply #14 on: April 28, 2015, 11:08:49 PM »

good luck! I've had 3 done over the years. First one was NHS in the 90s, total sedation. Second was in South Africa, no sedation as the specialist said it was not entirely safe to do an endoscopy with sedation.
Last one was about 8 years ago in the UK and had minor sedation. It was unpleasant, but it's over quickly at least.
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