Endoscopy?

Morning all, I have an endoscopy procedure booked for tomorrow ( check for varices ) I am quite anxious, can anyone enlighten me, as to what to expect ? Thanks

[Karaliz]

Hi Dieselwales. I understand your anxiety but the procedure is quick and straightforward. I had one last year to check for oesophageal varices... I was lightly sedated, enough to render me incapable of recalling the event but light enough that I woke up quickly with nil side effects. A flexible scope with a camera is used to enable viewing by the Dr but I have no memory of this being inserted. My consultant took a biopsy and found I had portal hypertensive gastropathy but no varices.

I would stress that I have not been through the experience of having oesophageal varices banded which would be another matter entirely....Hopefully someone who has had the banding procedure will enlighten us with a post.

All the very best for tomorrow and fingers crossed everything is fine.

Best wishes

Karaliz

[Hidden in reply to Karaliz]

Thank you so much for replying Karaliz, I feel far less anxious. X

[Karaliz in reply to Hidden]

Pleasure Dieselwales....good luck !

[dianemle]

Just make sure you have plenty of sedation. I have had lots of endoscopies some have been fine but the one I had last week was very uncomfortable

Good Luck

[Hidden in reply to dianemle]

Thank you dianemle.

[hotdog]

Hi

I had one last month with no sedation just the spray in the throat. It was slightly uncomfortable but over in a couple of minutes. All they found was a small hernia and said it was nothing to worry about. Luckily no varices, as said before this would have taken longer. Then I was given a letter afterwards with what they found and then left straight away. If you have sedation you have to stay there for a while and they give you something to eat and drink, but I was happy to leave one done. so no worries at all. Worse going to the dentist!!!

[Hidden in reply to hotdog]

Thank you hotdog.

[Hidden]

I had it without sedation, quick and not too much discomfort. Go for sedation.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you iowcaro, I probably will.

Just about to leave for the hospital .

[rubyrose15415]

I had just the throat spray as I was pregnant and didn't want sedation. It didn't hurt at all but made me gag a lot - probably due to over sensitive preg gag reflex though!

[ambijee]

Hi there,

This will be my first post on here, but it is definitely something I can relate to. Having had bleeding varices and being admitted to hospital for ten days after vomiting blood, the procedure is nothing to worry about although I personally prefer to have sedation. I have also had the banding three times now, again no problem apart from being careful with what you eat afterwards as the site of the banding can be a bit sore but this soon passes.

If you are not being sedated you will be able to watch it all on the monitor.

Good luck and chances are they won't find anything wrong.

[Hidden in reply to ambijee]

Thank you ambijee, I did have the sedation, & came back not actually recalling any of the procedure !!! Result I think.

[Marinerman]

Make sure you tell the locum doing it whether you want a general anesthetic or fully awake, I,ve had both, -- awake -- very uncomfortable, g,a.- you might lose 2 front teeth like me.

[Hidden]

Thank you all for your replies & support, it is very reassuring. Xx

[Junolee]

I had it done a couple of times with and without sedation - neither any problem.