Endoscopic Exam On Monday

[JennaSoto 85]

I've never had one before- please let me know what to expect.

[Maddysgram 6,159]

I've had 2, really no big deal. Like LBS, first your talking to nurses and next thing you wake up in another room. Get dressed & go home. Easy Peesy!

[clarks4willie 153]

Yes. maddys correct. I was freaking out...over nothing. You'll be fine:) good luck!

[Rojasanoll 920]

They sometimes give you Vercid, a drug that you don't remember anything after its over. Its needed and a good way to check all the way to the stomach. They found my hiatal hernia with this procedure.

Best wishes

[Toddy 758]

I had my first colonoscopy and endoscopy at the same time. Easy peesy is right!! The worst thing was a slight sore throat for a couple of hours. My daughter had an endoscopy and didn't even have the sore throat.

[Mayasgram 351]

NO BIG DEAL..... you sleep through it ..wake up and go home......

[JennaSoto 85]

How long until I am feeling OK to get around again- I am trying to make a eye appointment for later that afternoon. My appointment is at 9- will I be ready by 2?

[Mayasgram 351]

I think they don't want you to drive afterwards and you might be sleepy. If someone takes you I guess it would be ok. They tell you not to sign any papers . Drink some caffine maybe...

[jen_1381 446]

If you'd like the play-by-play...I used to work in endoscopy.

Basically, you'll check in at the hospital or surgery center. The nurse will start in IV that they use to give you medication through. When it's your turn, they'll take you into the endoscopy suite (or OR, depending on the size of your hospital). You'll have time to greet the gastroenterologist or surgeon and ask any questions before you get any medication.

For an EGD, or upper endoscopy, they give you usually a combination of Versed and Phentanyl. Versed is to make you sleepy and not remember the experience, Phentanyl is for any pain you may have and to relax you. You are not sedated to the point of needing a breathing tube, but you are typically very sleepy and not at all bothered by the scope.

As soon as you're comfortably sedated, they put the scope into your mouth, down your throat, down your esophagus, and into the stomach. If you resist the scope at all, they may put a bite block in your mouth so you don't bite the scope. If you have some mild jaw pain aftewards, it could be from the bite block (same ones dentists use). The scope is very flexible, and about as wide around as a pencil, if not a little smaller. The EGD itself typically takes less than 3-4 minutes. If they do any type of treatment during, like banding or botox injections (yes they can inject botox into your esophagus, it can deaden the area if you have a stricture) the procedure may be longer. It takes more time for you to get sedated and wake up than the actual procedure.

Aftewards you'll go back to your room or area, wake up, and after usually 30-60 minutes drink some liquids, eat some crackers, and be on your merry way. Because you've had sedation, you cannot drive for 24 hours. Must not. You may feel great but your reaction time is altered. You'll need a driver to take you home, and most times they'll want someone to be with you or immediately available to you in case anything comes up.

Hope that helps!