Hi all. I hope this post finds you all as well as can be 😊
I have just received my appointment for gastroenterology for march. I was aware there would be a letter coming but ive got in to such a flap of nervousness over it. I suffer terribly with anxiety at the best of times.
Theyre checking on varcies? Which showed up in C.T scan. Have not long been for an ultra sounds too.
I suppose my question is, what to expect (please be gentle!)
Theres an option for sedation...? Is it as bad as i have built it up in my head!?!
The gastro consultant (ive only had a phone app with once - diagnosis of decompensated cirrhosis in july) mentioned the possibility of a tablet to prevent further damage depending on how bad they/it is?
I dont have anymore info than that im afraid. Not heard back about the scan either.
Many thanks 🙃
Written by
Samqdj4
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Hi Sam, is it the camera down the throat you are having? If so I have had it done twice with sedation and I didn't feel a thing and the sedation wears off pretty quick, please try not to worry all the best Hayley 🙂
Hi. You want to be sedated so that you don't fight the camera going down your throat! They will take some pictures that are strangely beautiful, like the inside of a seashell, and it's all over in a few short minutes. 😉
I had sedation and didn't feel a thing (actually didn't remember a thing!).If not available then I believe they will give you a throat numbing spray, but if you are nervous I would definitely look into the possibility of sedation. Only downside is you might need someone to take you home (with the drugs I had, I couldn't drive for a while).
There are no rewards for being a 'hero'. Sedation was invented to make these procedures easier on the patient and sometimes safer too because if you do panic whilst the scope is in your throat it can be dangerous. The calmer you can be running up to the procedure the better effect the sedation has.
My hubby has had almost 30 endoscopies since 2012 (including 42 bands on varices) and sadly doesn't find them much easier than the first though he has learned a few tricks along the way. He ALWAYS opts for both the throat spray and sedation.
When they apply the throat spray take it slowly, ask the team to wait whilst you hold your breath and this way the throat spray hitting the back of your throat doesn't automatically trigger your gag reflex. If this isn't triggered then you will find the whole procedure much easier.
Hubby asks them to pause whilst he holds his breath and once they have done that and put the bite block in between his teeth he just lies down and closes his eyes. The procedure even if they do photographs, biopsies or banding takes less than 5 minutes and before you know it (and you'll not be aware of it) you'll be sleeping off sedation in the recovery area and they let you go after about 2 hours and after making sure you've managed to drink something and perhaps eat something like a yoghurt.
You'll need someone to drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours and they say not to drive or operate any machinery for these 24 hours.
Make it as easy on yourself as possible, it is an unpleasant procedure but it is really quick and if you take sedation you should neither be aware of what's going on or remember what's gone on.
When you sign your consent form it usually mentions photographs and biopsies as if they find anything untoward they'll want to biopsy it there and then so better to get it all done at once (my hubby has portal hypertensive gastropathy and they biopsied that - also during a colonoscopy they found areas of change in his bowel that got biopsied then too - you won't be aware of them doing this as it's all done with the scope). Hubby is never aware of what goes on in the room so although not fully out of it yes you are very relaxed during the procedure (providing you can be as calm as you can otherwise your body battles the sedation). When hubby comes out on trolley he is gaga, he'll repeat the same things over and over and then goes into a deep sleep. When we return to our caravan (we stay in caravan overnight 'cos we have a 200 mile round trip to hospital) he'll sleep easily for four or so more hours.
You'll pass wind rather a lot post op too as they pump you full of air to facilitate the scope and banding (if they find any needing done) and that air has to come out so be prepared to be rather windy.
Thank you so much. Ill certainly try amd be as calm as possible. I much pref to know what to expect and prepare rather as things sprung on me, so this has been a great help. I agree, best to get it all done in the one sitting if possible.
Wonder if they will allow other half in to waiting area given current restrictions... maybe best calling them as its not exactly "popping home for a cuppa" distance. But a lot closer than 200 miles!
In July I was allowed in to the waiting area as hubbies carer because he can't do the paperwork on his own & I had to go in to do this with him. After this I got put out of the department.
We were at Edinburgh and hospital cafe etc were still open and there were seating areas in the main lobby area of the hospital but I ended up having to go and sit in the car for hours (with my flask, book and puzzle mag).
They then phoned me to go and collect him afterwards.
Take a written list of your current meds with you as they ask this on the paperwork, also make sure other half takes your meds with you (just in case).
Just be aware that they 'might' get you to change into a gown as a covid precaution. Hubby has never had to do this before and usually stays in his own clothes but last time it was gown up. Procedure was done in a bigger room to allow staff to distance and operate safely and they were gowned, gloved, aproned and visored up much more than usual. (Covid precautions).
Normally I am allowed to stay with him for the duration - except during the procedure itself. He stays calmer if I am with him and I can keep him relaxed. He managed it unaccompanied in July but wasn't too happy about it.
Obviously we've been through this a few times so if you can think of any other questions before you go, don't hesitate to ask and I'll do my best to answer.
Great. Again - thank you. Wouldnt have thought to take meds nor the down bit! I thought i would have been Edinburgh or newcastle but theu have sent me to a small hosp which i think will be much better for me.
I will be sure to at least ask if other half can come in (i need a covid test prior and he must isolate with me) if not he can bring a flask and puzzle book too.
No doubt ill be back with more questions at some.point haha.
From a fellow wimp, I had the sedation and throat spray and barely knew what was happening, but equally felt fine afterwards. BP went a bit low but I have low BP anyway. Have the sedation. Wendy
Hi Sam! I've had it done and, as strange as it sounds, I enjoyed how relaxed I felt after. I have been told I was quite hilarious when the procedure was done, as I don't recall. I never had any pain. Please don't worry and remember that you are having it done so that if there are any problems they can fix them 😊
My husband just had this procedure yesterday. Today he is up and working at his desk downstairs, just feeling a little uncomfortable but that's because he had some varices treated. He has had several procedures, sometimes with sedation, sometimes without. We both prefer it if he has sedation really, he seems to recover quicker - not sure why. He wonders if it makes it easier for the docs to work down there if you are more relaxed. Covid regulations mean that I have to drop him off at hospital and return to collect him when the nurse rings to say he's done. He is under Leeds, but they work with our local gastro team who do these procedures and send the reports to Leeds.
When he comes home, he is always ravenous so we make sure we have biscuits, soups and porridge in the cupboards. (No food or drink for 6hrs prior to appointment)If you are only having the camera, and no work done you should be fine to eat and drink normally almost as soon as you are home.
Its worth them investigating the varices anyway! Treatment will be a beta blocker and possibly banding treatment if they are bad. My husbands varices burst in September resulting in us nearly losing him so we can both honestly say that these investigations/treatments are very much preferable!!!!
Thank you. Sorry to hear he had such an ordeal previous.
I am hoping it is just the camera - however we are already aware that theyre there from scans. So im presuming its further investigation as to how bad they are.
Good to know about the hunger, im presuming a softer diet following, is better?
I totally agree investigation is better than the alrenative. How scary.
I think the soft diet bit is only really crucial if you have work done on the varices. If I was you, I'd go one step at a time, especially if your anxious. If you need further work done I would have thought they will re-schedule you.Don't be afraid to ask your Dr all about them. Wish we had found out more about varices when he was first diagnosed. We had no idea what the consequences could be, so my husband didn't treat it very seriously, and didn't always take beta blocker as he should have done - hence the bleed.
Hopefully for you, they have been diagnosed nice and early
Thank you. I think one step.at a time is a good idea. I obviously hope they arent too bad - a bit of luck needed there maybe. But a start is the camera so hopefully the best hands and better idea.of what we are dealing with amd plan accordingly.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Support
Seeking support, worried and depressed 
Finding support for carers
Spousal support...who, where?
Newbie here - supporting my dad through Cirrhosis
