Endoscopy?

One of the things that my doctor requires before surgery is an Endoscopy.  I know what it is but I'd like to hear experiences from others who have had it done. 

They said you are sedated - how did they sedate you? 

I'm veeeeery needle phobic, but I'm trying to tell myself that by doing this process and surgery, I'll save myself a lot of health problems (and thus needles) over the years.  LOL

Thanks for sharing.

Hi Laura,
Sorry to say, IV needle.  I had one a long time ago and I think they use the same as I had with my previous colonoscopies (get to have 1 every 5 years thanks to my moms history).    They used a drug called Twilite.  It used to make my sister totally fall asleep but she could sleep at the drop of a hat.  For me, it just makes me go under enough to not really care what they are doing. 

This is an upper endoscopy?  If so, they will spray a local anesthetic on your throat too.

Nooooooooooo!  Not an IV!    Those are the worst.

Yes, just an upper endoscopy.  Spraying things is okay, needles are not. 

Hang in there. IV's are GOOD things. Just a little poke to get a smallish needle in the vein and THEN you get the "good stuff" medicine so the procedure is easy. I haven't had an endoscopy, but a colonoscopy and 2 cardiac caths in the past few yrs. We are SO lucky because there are quick acting anesthetics to help with these procedures so you are kind of awake, but you don't care what's going on. It's so much easier on patients that this stuff used to be.

SMALL poke; you will be fine.

  I had to have an endoscopy for my surgery, too.  I had it two weeks ago and thought it was a pretty easy procedure.  The iv was pretty quick and easy, and the rest I didn't even remember.  They had sent me this brochure with all kinds of issues I might have, and didn't even have one.  I didn't even remember what they did!   Seemed like it was over so fast.

Maybe they can just hit me over the head with a hammer and then put the IV in.  LOL

My SIL asked me what part I was most nervous about and I told her the IV and she said, "WHAT?!  THAT'S what you are most nervous about out of everything?!!" 


I can't help it - I have to lay down after I have a blood test.  I passed out when I got my ears pierced.  See - I have issues.  LOL

My IV was hard to get in, but that's because I have the world's WORST veins- tiny, deep, and they immediately roll & hide the second a needle gets anywhere near them.  Suckfest.

But overall it wasn't bad- I don't have an issue with needles and I'm used to the fact that any sort of vein access takes a LOT of poking and prodding.  Beyond that, I got on a table, lay on my side, and next thing I know I'm awake and going home.  Not too bad!

Be aware of if you need an arterial blood gas- the needle is BIG, and it's going to an artery, not a vein, and it's more painful and, on me, they had to go in DEEP.  The entire 4-inch needle disappeared in my wrist and I could tell that the tech (who is the best in the dept and who does nothing but draw blood all day long in a hospital lab) was getting really nervous that it wouldn't work.  Ack!  

I agree, arterial blood gases are harsh, but I want to clarify that this is NOT needed for an endoscopy. Arterial blood gases are needed if you are having an asthma attack or arrive at the hospital barely breathing.

For an endoscopy, they just stick a small needle in a vein to get access to the blood supply so they can deliver the medication. When I had my cataract surgery in June, the nurse put the needle in this tiny little vein in my wrist. I was amazed that she found it so easily.

So HANG IN THERE with the endoscopy and I think you'll find it wasn't too bad.

Love your photo by the way. Is this your dog and is he wearing a wig? CUTE!!

Oh thank you so much - when I read about the arterial blood gas thing, I got really woozy and had to put my head down.  LOL

I've had 4 surgeries and haven't had to have that done so I figured it must be something else, thanks for clarifying though.  :)  I just keep trying to think of my last surgery where I had half my thyroid removed and that IV was really easy and barely hurt...so hopefully I'll have good luck with the next IVs too.  :)  There is a reason I'm teacher and NOT a nurse!  :p

That's not my dog, it's a picture I found on the internet.  And I do think he's wearing a wig - it just cracked me up.  There is little resemblence between me and the dog - except that I am very pasty white and I do have dark brown hair.  ;)

You are a HOOT.  It's an adorable dog.

One of my kids had an appendectomy in Jr High and their best friend was forced by his Mom to come visit in the hospital. My husband and I are both nurses, so my kids were raised hearing about disgusting things at the dinner table and visiting us at work, so they are used to all of it. My son was still a little groggy, but he opened the drawer and pulled out his appendix to show his friend. It was in a jar in fluid. The friend did not actually pass out, but came close. He had to continue the visit sitting in a chair right by the door and facing the hallway. Too funny. We're all different.

I couldn't, for instance, manage a room full of KIDS without bursting into tears!!