Endoscopy Nightmare! Help!

[LindsJ83 56]

Hi all. I am *almost* done with my 6 month diet per insurance and I have (had) an impending endoscopy I need for clearance from gastroenterology. Basically, here's what happened: I was scheduled to have an endoscopy on the 11th and although I was a little nervous (I have never had anesthesia before) I wasn't freaking out. I show up at the hospital at my scheduled time and start to get prepped. Sit down in the hospital bed and as I am talking to the nurse she starts taking my BP. I think it's important to note that I normally DON'T have high BP - so I'm surprised when she looks at the machine and says - Do you normally have high blood pressure? It's 197/99. Strange I thought but the machines aren't the most accurate things. So she proceeds to take it another 6 or 7 times alternating my lower and upper arm. All high. Now I've got 3 nurses in the room - and one is trying to insert an IV on my other arm at the exact same time they're on my other side taking BP. Enter another nurse. Now they're saying my pulse is at 166 (I'm stressed at this point because of my BP) and they decide they have to do a STAT EKG. (I couldn't even make this up if I tried.) So now I've got somebody putting leads on me, the nurse is trying to get my IV again and I'm being asked questions about my medical history. Can't get the IV, now we have to call IV Therapy to come down. At this point, I start to have a panic attack which I haven't had in years. I end up NOT even having the procedure. I was SO frustrated and angry. I think most of the apprehension came from the dr who was supposed to be performing it. I wanted nothing to do with this guy to begin with but I figured it was only an endoscopy and I may as well just get it over with. I was wrong. I have a call into my surgeon now to see if I can be recommended to someone else (I'm in awe that with as phenomenal as the surgeon and everyone has been with the hospital I am affiliated with this dr SUCKS!) I have never had anesthesia and while I am a little nervous, I don't know WHAT it is about the endoscopy that makes me feel like I'm petrified. I'd rather have the surgery than the endo done. I know that sounds ridiculous. This is something that I need to have done in order to have the surgery (per my surgeon) and I just don't know if I can do it because of the horrible experience I've already had. I don't know what to do so please help!

[BBdoodle 483]

Sounds like you have anxiety for this procedure for sure - can you ask your doctor for a Valium - something to take the edge off. Believe me when I tell you a endoscopy and colonoscopy are normal procedures.... you know nor feel NOTHING. I was freaked out about the colonoscopy I had to have done I went for the endoscopy first and a week later the colonoscopy. I think its the unknown what is frightening you... !!! Here is what happens.... after they prep you (IV, etc) , you get wheeled into the procedure room, there is the anestheologist (sp?), your doctor and assistant. Both doctors speak to you and ask are you feeling ok and then the anestheologist says he is going to put you to sleep, he said "where do you want to go on vacation? I said Hawaii... and the next thing I know I woke and was in recovery! The nurse was asking me how I feel and gave me a snack and something to drink. In a 1/2 I was out and on my way home. They can also give you demarol (SP) which helps you relax too.

[oldoneyoungagain 200]

I've had three endoscopies, one of which I was put to sleep. The last two I actually watched, feeling nothing. My last one was actually done by my surgeon who did the band removal and bypass. That took a total of about 15 minutes max. Now the colonoscopy, I have had numerous and I am always put to sleep on that one. Don't fear the procedure just don't care for the pre-op that you have to go through. My last endoscopy they asked if I needed something to relax me and said no I was fine. Did the same when I had the band out. But for some reason they gave it to me once I was in the operating room, about a minute before they put me to sleep. Haven't figured that one out. Don't think I had a choice for bypass. My fear is always the pain afterwards, and yet my imagination seems to make a mountain out of a mole hill. The pain is never as bad as I thought it would. Of course there isn't any pain that I am aware of with the either the colonoscopy or endoscopy. So if the procedure bothers you that much ask your doctor to give you something. All I can say you'll be okay. A very simple, safe, fast procedure. In and out.

[LindsJ83 56]

Thanks so much for the encouragement everyone. I think all I needed to hear was from people who are going/have gone through this process too so you really helped! My surgeons office sent a new referral over to another GI doctor for me so I just need to call and schedule an appt now. I appreciate all your kind words and I will take the Valium suggestion into consideration!!

[Tamisa73 17]

Thanks so much for the encouragement everyone. I think all I needed to hear was from people who are going/have gone through this process too so you really helped! My surgeons office sent a new referral over to another GI doctor for me so I just need to call and schedule an appt now. I appreciate all your kind words and I will take the Valium suggestion into consideration!!

I had my endoscope done last week and was also very nervous..much to my suprise it wasnt so bad..it was done right in the Dr's office and all I had to do was sniff some meds to numb my nose and throut..it took about 10 mins and was done..I couldnt drink or eat for about a hr after till the numbing had gone away but I felt fine I even watched the screen and the Dr showed me my stomach..lol

[Tamisa73 17]

Thanks so much for the encouragement everyone. I think all I needed to hear was from people who are going/have gone through this process too so you really helped! My surgeons office sent a new referral over to another GI doctor for me so I just need to call and schedule an appt now. I appreciate all your kind words and I will take the Valium suggestion into consideration!!

I had my endoscope done last week and was also very nervous..much to my suprise it wasnt so bad..it was done right in the Dr's office and all I had to do was sniff some meds to numb my nose and throut..it took about 10 mins and was done..I couldnt drink or eat for about a hr after till the numbing had gone away but I felt fine I even watched the screen and the Dr showed me my stomach..lol