Question:
Have to have an EGD, very scare for me! Please advise!
I'm pre-op (approved but not scheduled yet) and was told today I'd have to have an EGD done before surgery. I am so scared of anything medical (its a miracle I'm okay with surgery) and the idea of something going down my throat is making me panic. Can I get some stories of what to expect? Thank you!! — itzmetami (posted on June 25, 2007)
June 25, 2007
You can expect to not remember a thing thank heavens to the drugs you will
be given. I walked out of the waiting room I was such a wreck, but I don't
remember or feel anything. I would do it again in a heartbeat!!!! Make
sure you tell them to give you enough meds because you are afraid! It is
not what you think it is, it is simple. Good luck, Diane
— Diane C.
June 25, 2007
Please don't be frieghtened I just had an Endoscopy and a colonoscopy at
the same time. It was the most relaxed I have been in years. I was all set
to freak out and then it became a much better experience then I would have
ever hoped for. Here's what happens. You go in, they do the normal BP ect
and then put in an IV. I climbed up on the table thinking scary thoughts.
The tech said " turn on your left shoulder and I administer a drug in
your IV"....BINGO, the next thing I knew I woke up, very comfortable.
They helped me dress and home I went. I slept for a few hours,then went on
with the rest of the things I would normally do. I thought I would have a
sore throat or something....nothing, Great new drugs! Vesaid and demoral.
No pain, no memory, NO FEAR. You will be fine. Good luck darlin
Mimey
— bderuiter
June 25, 2007
There is nothing to it the hardest part is not eating anything but liquids
for a day or so prior and depending on how far her goes a laxative. You
will not know diddly squat , you willl come in they put the IV in they give
you a dose of "dreaming like a hibernating bear" you will then
wake up and say" when will they start?" The nurse will laugh and
say "sugar it is done" That is it. Sometimes you have a tiny
scratchy throat but drink you some warm salt water (gargle it don't drink
it) and that it it. YOU WILL BE FINE
— DonnaB.
June 25, 2007
Please relax. I had the EGD done as well. It was without a doubt one of
the easiest procedures I have ever been through. I was kept very
comfortable before the procedure, and just before they started, I was given
a really cool anestesia. Bang. Gone. I woke up 15 minutes later and
everything was done. Absolutely no problems. I was a little groggy the
rest of the day, but no real issues.
Best wishes,
Chris
— CChappell
June 25, 2007
I've had countless - around 12, maybe 15 over the years - bad
esphogus/belly issues.....it's pretty easy. They put into a conscience
sedation (start an IV and give you a "cocktail" to make you
sleepy - you basically sleep through the whole thing and wake up in
recovery. If you are on any sort of pain medication and have been for a
long time - then tell them and they will account for it. I've never had a
EDG that was awful or uncomfortable....and I've had more than most.
— jammerz
June 25, 2007
HELLO, I RECENTLY HAD AN ENDOSCOPY AND AFTER THEY PUT AN IV IN ME THEY GAVE
ME SOME MEDICATION THROUGH IV AND THE PROCEDURE WAS RELATIVELY QUICK AND
PAINLESS TO ME. DON'T WORRY ABOUT THIS, AS LONG AS THEY CAN FIND YOUR VEINS
TO PUT AN IV IN YOU, THERE WILL PROBABLY BE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. HAVE A
BLESSED DAY!!! RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, LEVI
— [Deactivated Member]
June 25, 2007
It's EASY don't worry. I was told I'd be "awake" during but can
only remember them starting to put the scope down my throat and next thing
I knew I was awake and in recovery. I said "I thought I wasn't
supposed to sleep during." The nurse just giggled and told me I was
in recovery and asked if I was in any pain. I looked at her like she was
crazy. LOL Nothing hurt and everyone was wonderful. I had to stay for an
hour after recovery to make sure everything was fine, but all in all, I
don't remember much after being given the anesthesia. You'll be fine,
won't even remember a thing! I was groggy the rest of the day but have
always had that kind of reaction from anesthesia. Hang in there it will
soon be done. God Bless!
— crystalsno
June 25, 2007
I HAD ONE ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO AND HAVE A HORRIBLE GAG RELFEX SO WAS
WORRIED TOO. AFTER THEY GIVE YOU THE DRUGS YOU DONT FEEL A THING OR
REMEMBER IT..THE REST OF THE DAY I SLEPT AND FELT LIKE I WAS A LITTLE
DRUNK..NOT A PROBLEM AT ALL JUST PLAN TO SLEEP AND ACCOMPLISH NOTHING..BEST
OF LUCK YOU'LL BE FINE
— aprilinmaine
June 26, 2007
Hi Tammy, I don't know why they need to do an EGD before surgery. You
don't make that clear. But if you really need one, then you can expect to
go to sleep and then wake up with a little soar throat. You should be put
to sleep for this procedure. They go into your throat with a scope and
either do something surgically or they are looking for something. Either
way they view your throat. It usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour
for the entire procedure, and it is a quick recovery, just soar throat.
Take care, Patricia P.
By the way, if you don't know why they are doing the EGD, you need to know
why. You need to fully understand what they do something to you. You may,
you just don't say in your question above.
— Patricia P
June 26, 2007
I had one done, and they also biopsed my stomach for the bacteria that
causes ulcers. After prep, I only remember being wheeled into the room
where the procedure was done, the girl saying, "her meds are going in
now", and the doctor saying "turn your head this way, and open
your mouth." I got some pictures he took of my insides but I couldn't
tell whats what!
Then I woke up in the recovery room. Not even a sore throat.
— sry48
June 26, 2007
I have never been successfully been sedated for this type of procedure
(EGD, colonoscopy, etc.) -- I don't fall asleep, I don't get dopey, and I
remember it all afterwards.
I'm not trying to scare you... in fact just the opposite. While they don't
get me sedated anywhere near what most people experience, I have never felt
any pain or discomfort. The worst part of it, for me at least, is having
to take/drink that yucky tasting stuff. The second worst has always been
trying to get my large body into those barbie doll sized hospital gowns.
It sounds like you are already pretty neverous/scared about this... you
may want to speak with your doctor before the EGD appointment and see if he
might be willing to prescribe a couple of anti-anxiety to be taken either
the morning before the procedure or the night before and the morning or
whatever he feels is appropriate.
Good luck to you.
— mrsidknee
June 26, 2007
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO RESPONDED HERE!!! I greatly appreciate all the
feedback! I definitely feel better about having this done. That is why I
love this site so much!! Thank you all, God bless!! - Tammy
— itzmetami
June 26, 2007
Hi Tammy
I have had 3 egd's this year and will be going in for my fourth nthis
Thursday.
There are two ways of doing it. One is to spray your throat and give you
something to relax you, I don;t think this is how you should do it due to
your fear.
The other way is anesthesia. This is what I get because I suffer from
panic/anxiety and the thought of something going ibto my throat makes me go
into a tail spin.
I get something to relax me before the procedure and then I get the needle
in the IV and in 15 minutes I am back in the room and home usually within
an hour. Good luck
Carole
— ocalacarole
June 27, 2007
I had this done a couple of weeks ago, And I agree with the others - you
will not rememer a thing. The nurse was explaining everything that was
going to happen and what I would expect, but then they gave me the drugs in
the IV and I only remember waking up. I was tired for the rest of the day
and I did have a slight sore throat later that night that lasted only a day
or so. Really nothing to worry about. Good luck!
— ranner
July 1, 2007
You need not worry yourself over this procedure. I've had it done twice.
The first time was pre-op and then just recently in May. You will be given
an anesthetic and another drug (probably versed - that pretty much erases
your memory to put it plainly). Although, you won't know it you will be
"awake" (called conscious sedation) so that you can follow
directions. A bite block will be placed in your mouth to protect your
teeth & tongue. You will be instructed to swallow a camera scope (it
will be passed through) the mouth, throat and into the stomach. Pictures
will be taken and you'll wake up in recovery not remembering a thing!
— CHARLYLVN
Click Here to Return