Hope it goes ok for you. I had it done and now it turns out I have a gallstone causing my problems and have to make up my mind in a few weeks wether to have my gallbladder out.
Good luck and let us know how it went.
Both of my endoscopy were done privately and you will have a great experience. When they are ready for you they get you to walk to the endoscopy suite. As you enter its like going to the doctors, the equipment is out of the way so you won't see it. They sit you on the bed, spray your throat, get you to lie down, give you the sedation and that is it!!!
You wake up about 20mins or so later and its like waking up from a sleep. No gagging, no memory, no nothing, its wonderful. Which is why I was very relaxed when I had it done the second time. Afterwards I was fine, and eventually they gave me something to eat which was nice and I went home and rested, but felt fine.
This time I had a ph monitoring device left inside and was given a wireless transmitter to wear for 48hrs to monitor my acid levels and I didn't feel anything from that either.
Its natural to worry but from my experiences the gagging comes when people don't have sedation. I think the NHS prefer the non sedation route because its quicker which is why you hear so many gagging stories
Amanda,
Thanks for your reply.
I doubt that they would sedate you before you go into the procedure room, (but they might as you are going privately). They usually like the patient to get on to the procedure table/bed under their own "steam", and if you were sedated in another room they would need staff to transfer you. However, there is no harm in asking.
They usually inject the sedative just before they start the endoscopy. The sedation works very quickly.
They probably will want to put the mouth guard in before the sedation "kicks in", as they need to check it is positioned correctly in your mouth, and where your teeth are biting on the guard to help keep it in position.They will also put an oxygen flow pipe under your nose, and a blood pressure monitor.
You should be able to breath without any problem at all. I found the "secret" is to breath through the mouth, not the nose. One then gets plenty of air, and it seems to help keep the route into the throat open and relaxed; thus less risk of any gagging. However, the endoscopy team will advise you on what they think is the best way to breath etc., I would then hope that the sedation will kick in just after the mouth guard is placed, and that will be your last memory.
I think one is sedated for about 30 minutes, but coming round takes awhile, but is not at all an unpleasant experience. Sedation affects people differently, but I would think you should be "ready to go" about 2 hours after the sedation. Obviously the nursing staff monitor you and only let you go once they feel you have recovered enough.
As I mentioned before, I would not hesitate to ask your Consultant's secretary if you could talk to one of the endoscopy team to talk through how they handle the sedation etc., and whether any of your requests can be accommodated. I found two NHS hospitals I have been to very happy to talk to me before I went for the procedure, so I would expect a private hospital to do that for you.
I do not mean to sound a "bossy boots", but I would suggest you write down the concerns or points you would like to discuss, as it is easy to forget to raise points if some one 'phones you. You will then be sure you have covered all the points you want.
I would do the same about any concerns you have about your health. Are there any particular points you would hope the endoscopy will look at, and you would like some "feedback" on?
Be prepared for the endoscopy not showing anything specific! That can also be quite frustrating, as you know you still have the symptoms and are not feeling well.
Hope this helps a bit. I do feel talking to one of your endoscopy team beforehand will reassure you alot, but one does feel anxious about the procedure and the uncertainty of what the endoscopy might find, or not.
Anyway, hope it all goes well.
Happy to respond to any other questions you have. Otherwise do let us know how it all goes.
All good wishes, nfa
Hi Anita,
Thanks very much. I though you problem might be gallstones with the pains that you are having. I would have it done if I was you. I had terrible pains about 8 years ago for months and had the operation by keyhole to remove my gallbladder and it was the best thing I've ever done I could eat properly afterwards and no pain at all and was only in hospital overnight. Its just this problem now that I need to get sorted out!
Thanks again and I will be in touch.
Hi,
Thanks for that, that is eassuring. I was supposed to have one done with the NHS a few weeks ago but when I got into the room they wouldn'st sedate me so I just paniced and wasn't able to go through with it! Hence going private this time for a better experience and less waiting time! I am hoping that they will sedate me before going into the room but I will check this nearer the time as that is the point where my nerves set in! I might see if there is anything I can take from over the counter just to take the edge off before I go in and won't affect the sedation.
Many thanks for your help and advice.
Amanda.
Hi Amanda
I think the Drs told me to breathe through my nose but in the end I breathed through my mouth. I gagged about 3 times each one not lasting more than 3 seconds. Don't worry about the procedure, it's really over quickly, and I think with gagging the best is to try and keep calm and not panick. I'm not sure where you are but I had mine done at Sprinfield Hospital in Chelmsford (Dr Shah) who was really good. The only downside, is that I've got Barretts oesophagus and will probably need surveillance at least every 2 years i.e more endoscopies. The worst of it all is no chocolate, alcohol, caffeine and a low fat diet. That sucks!
Hi Wknight
do you have a silent reflux? It's what I have and just wondered if that's the reason for ph monitoring. I'm sticking to a low fat diet but sometimes I wished I had the classic GERD signs to tell me that what I'm eating is on the food trigger list as I have no idea at the moment. So I'm having to play it completely safe with foods.
cheers
Sean.
Hi, that is good that you were able to breath through your mouth too as that is what was making me nervous and putting me off. I have also been told it doesn't last long so hope it is nice and quick! I am having mine done in a private hospital in Rochdale, great Manchester so quite far from you. I am sorry to hear that you have got Barretts, hope that you will be ok. That does suck but if it helps to make you better. If it makes you feel any better I haven't had any solid food for the last 6 weeks and been following liquid diet due to the feeling of a lump in my throat and also have had no goodies, chocolate or alcohol for nearly 3 months now! The weight loss results have been great though ha, ha! Take care and keep in touch.
Amanda.
Hi, did you get a nutrition bullet, apparently there good. Went into prets today for a boring chamomile tea and was envious of all the people drinking cappuccinos and eating croissants. Good luck anyway and I hope your results are good news.
cheers Sean
Hi Sean,
I have never heard of a nutrition bullet, what are they?
Thanks,
Amanda.
Do you still have to stick to a low fat diet or can you sneak in the odd treat without any problems. Some people have problems with acid after they have their gallbladder out. Is your problem related to having it out at all.
Hi
it's basically a blender that's meant to be really good for smoothies, juicing (I think), Argos, Amazon and Lakeland sell them
I ended up buying a Vitamix because I was mainly making soups. A friend of mine has the nutribullet and loves it
cheers
Sean
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Hi
you'll receive a double reply as my previous message contained a link and is being moderated!
basically, a nutribullet is a mini blender that makes smoothies of fruit and veg. Most places sell them...Amazon, Lakeland, Argos.
cheers Sean
I have had ph monitoring twice. The first time was when I was initially diagnosed to determine just how much acid reflux was occurring. Last year I had it done again, this time with a wireless device which was very nice, because we thought the pain I was suffering was caused by the medication not working. The monitoring showed that the medication was keeping the reflux under control so the pain was coming from somewhere else.
Don't bother with over the counter stuff , what they have to give you will work far better. Are you not seeing the consultant before the procedure? They give you the choice but when I say I would like sedation, they look relieved as its makes their job so much easier and they are not in a rush as they are with the NHS. Seriously RELAX!!!!! With sedation you will kick yourself afterwards as to why you were so worried. It hurts more taking a splinter out....
Hi Sean,
Oh many thanks for that. I shall have a look into it as I am mainly on liquids a the moment until I have tests done to see what is going on! Thanks for your help.
Amanda.
Hi Amanda,
I guess everyone is different, I had an endoscopy, under sedation - which makes you actually amnesic of the moment - but can remember that it was a nightmare, I could not stop gagging and I remember the nurse catching my hand because I wanted to grab the tube and take the camera out!
Then i had a Phmetry and manometry of my oesophagus where the wire goes through your nose, without any sedation, I was dreading before hand but it actually went so well! Just some pain in my nose when inserting the wire, but otherwise no gagging, or anything. One advice that the physiologist gave me if you go through your nose, you have to swallow water at the same time, when you can feel the wire in your throat, just imagine you are swallowing a tablet with the water! It worked for me at least...
With either option I think it depends on the person, but anyway I wish you good luck because it's never nice to have this kind of invasive procedures!
Hi, my name is Nancy,
I've had at least 5 Colonoscopys in the past. But now; for about a year; I've had severe acid reflux, severe coughing and trouble with food getting caught between my esophagus and my stomach. This past Jan. I had to have a camera put down my esophagus and all the way to my stomach and small intestines.
It was scary for me because I also have bad gagging reflux. So, I was really scared. As soon as she put the camera down my throat she found my throat immediately started bleeding. She put me on 1GM Salcrafate for 4 months. Their horse tablets and I had to take 4 a day and broke them up in fourths and I could still hardly swallow with a hot drink. Then she recommended another Gastroenderologist who put something down my throat to look around and said he would have to refer me to another Gastroenderologist. So, I was recommended to Dr. Mougey in Medford, OR. He is doing an Upper Endoscopy with a tumor in a Camera all the way to my stomach where I know I have at least 3 old ulcers. Then he is putting a tube down my nose into my stomach and leaving it there for 24hrs. Has anyone had this done. I'm quite afraid of that because of my very scratch throat and I have severe dry mouth disease which is medically known as Sjogrins Syndrom.