gastroscopy

[toecrusher]

hubs having one on friday, he's terrified, never been in hospital before, apart from the snip. will he be asleep or awake through the procedure, know he will have a sedative to calm him down, but will he be awake when they put the tube down?

[mimififi]

my hub had an endoscopy last year, don't know if that is the same thing? A tube down the throat tho.

He was given like a twilight sedative and very very weak anaesthetic. he remembers kinda swallowing the tube, but nothing more after that. He was out the room for about 10 minutes, I didn't even have time to finish my tea before he came back LOL. Got results there and then and then he went back for more details when he was more alert a week later. now on permanant meds which have helped the symptoms. Did talk about surgury, but it's quite risky, not very successful and an awful lot of bother so we opted for the meds. He has reflux and gets ulcerated oesophagus? (sp), when he misses his meds, it's ugly.

Hope this helps, sorry if it doesn't. Good luck with the procedure.

mimiXX

[honkytonkman]

A colleague of mine has just had an endoscopy to look at a a stomach ulcer. She was given the option of a throat-numbing spray or a sedative. She chose the sedative (in the back of her hand) and was out like a light, and remembers nothing about it. I hope this helps your hubby. Best of luck :)

[dotjhawkes]

I had one of those sedatives when I had a tube down my throust, about 1999 oit was, I had been kickin up a fuss and was terrified, so they gave me this sedative, Honestly, not only did I not remember them doing it, I have never remembered anything about it since, it's like one of those rahipnol typewe things apparently, I have felt a little scared about that ever since. But I like to be in control I suppose. (This isn't helping to ease anyone's worries is it? sorry)

[Steve_Luts]

I had an endoscopy earlier this year to check me out for anything worse than the acid reflux I have been suffering from. I had an anaesthetic spray, quickly followed by a tube down the throat. It was there for no more that a minute or two.

I won't try to pretend that it was pleasant - you do gag a little when the tube is there BUT - and this is quite weird - after a couple of times you get used to it and it is over really quickly. The problem is your nautral reaction is to expel whatever is causing you to gag but you can't, but its really a case of mind over matter. My nurse told me just to concentrate on my breathing, which really helped me focus my mind. The nursing staff are very good and reassuring, it is over in a jiffy.

I was worried that I might have something more serious like cancer of the oesophagus, hence the procedure, and have to say I'm glad I had it done and got the all clear.

Just tell hubs this - my dad never new his father 'cos he died when he was four because of the 'too scared to go to the quacks' mentality. Hence in my family having any kind of unpleasant medical treatment has always been a 'just grin and bear it'. I'm sure he'll be fine - best of luck

[copippin]

For a gastroscopy,the patient is usually sedated with a drug which means they remember nothing at all about the procedure but they are able to cooperate fully with what is required of them.I have had one and don't remember a thing about it,but it seems I did as I was told!! Good luck to your husband,he will be fine.

[xHeatherx]

I hate to tell you all but an 'endoscopy' is a camera 'up' inside you and a 'gastroscopy' is a camera 'down' your throat. Ive had both, many times, and never had an sedation. I think it's all down to keeping calm and mind over matter, if you don't think about what they are doing you'll feel calmer. I wish your hubby all the luck but he really doesn't need it as Im sure he'll be fine. Just remind him to relax and remember that its all over in minutes - if you have sedation it can take you hours to come round!

[kazza12345]

Heather, what you are saying isnt right endoscopy is looking at an internal cavity or organ with the use of a light and camera, and can be used interchangeably for gastroscopy (looking at the stomach from the top) colonoscopy(bottom up) cystoscopy (looking in the bladder) and many others (ercp, arthroscopies etc) The endoscope is just the instument thats used.

Anyway in answer to the question - i concur with the others - they usually in the uk give you midazolam, or sometimes midazolam and pethidine for a gastroscopy. Sometimes they give you the throat spray and then some midazolam if its too difficult Midazolam gives you a retrograde amnesia, meaning you dont remember what happens for a period after its give, but the nurses will be able to give you instructions that you comply with, you just wont remember doing it

[xHeatherx]

Well, pardon me kazza12345 - I was just offering a bit of help! And I must remember to tell my doctor he's got it wrong!

[kazza12345]

no need to get all upset - i thought id better just correct you-just imagine this persons surprise if they read it and thought they would have a tube up their bum! Anyway, your doctor isnt wrong, as i said endoscopy is the tube with the camera and light, so endoscopy can mean many things, including looking up your bum and down your throat

[toecrusher]

thanks to you all, hubs was quite calm this morning after reading all your responses, but wasnt madly happy when i collectected him , had started gagging when the tube went down and got a bit panicky, but the staff were brilliant. Unfortunately, found a narrowing at the base of his oesophagus, so could'nt get the tube into his stomach, so has to take some kind of medication to enlarge the opening and has to go and have it done again in a couple of months! thanks again to you all for all your responses.