Had my first Gastroscopy

[Kilgh]

So, finally got a gastroscopy done.

The hardest part was waiting to go in. I opted for sedation. So I was wanting them to hurry up and get on with it as once the sedation was in I knew I wouldn't care about anything at all. And this proved to be very true as I don't really remember too much about that 20mins at all!

I remember my gastro spraying the numbing throat spray. Tasted awful but almost instant effect. Then he gave me the sedatives. And I remember lying on my side waiting for it to work. Then I remember gagging sort of, but more the nurse saying "you are doing fine, that was the worst bit over". Then feeling something moving in my gut and some mild pain (biopsy being taken I assume). Then the nurse saying "it's all over."

The next thing I remember is being back in the recovery area with someone pulling a blanket over me. And looking at my vital stats monitor and noting my blood pressure was 109/53. Thinking "wow, that is low!" And then I was fully awake.

The recovery nurse wheeled in some tea and a sandwich. I partook because I hadn't been allowed to eat since the night before.

20 mins later I was free to go. My sister-in-law drove me home. I slept off the rest of the sedative.

They say not to make any financial decisions for the next 12 hours. My telco woke me up with a two back to back texts reminding me I hadn't paid my bill the day before. I got so annoyed about it I transferred $450 to them so they would leave me alone. I woke up about 4 hours later and thought "hang on, I only owed them $60!" Oops. Ah well, I won't hear from them for a good 3 months now I guess.

No post-op issues. Had some very minor burny aching in the gut from the biopsies over the next 12 hours.

So if anyone is having anxiety about a gastroscopy, don't. It was easy. Just opt for the sedation.

(Everything appeared normal by the way. Still waiting on the biopsy results.)

[Eliana5]

Wow! I don't know if I could do that, because I "gag" easily. Is this the same thing as an "Endoscopy" where they put a long tube with a small camera on the end? Down your throat? Yes, my blood pressure was alarming too after my surgeries and colonoscopy. I think it is because your body and gut go through some trauma being poked and prodded. What made things worse for me, I could not have a bowel movement after surgeries for about 4-5 days..and I already suffer from IBS-C. I am probably going to need this type of procedure one day, but don't think I can get through it, just thinking about it makes me queasy. Were you able to get results?

[Kilgh in reply to Eliana5]

I got a take home report. With pics! It was awesome actually. Made everyone at work look at them the next day too. We share our best medical imaging. It's a tradition now.

And, yes, a gastroscopy is the name of the endoscopy that looks at your oesophagus, stomach and duodenum.

I had a Fentanyl/Medazepam cocktail. Seriously, you don't really feel, remember, or care once the meds are in. And mine was done by my gastro. Not a nurse. So that probably makes a huge difference.

He offered to do a colonoscopy a the same time, but I don't want to mess up my gut like you are describing. Didn't seem worth it as I have had no lower gut issues or bleeding. He agreed it wasn't a priority. And I will need to build up some more sick leave. Gastroscopy only affects you for 1 day.

You will find a gastroscopy way easier than a colonoscopy. All you have to do is not eat for 8-12 hours. That's it.

My biopsies are still a week away. But everything appeared normal. My gastro seemed happy.

[Eternity78]

may i ask what do you suffer from originally ?? i mean i know IBS in general , but what subtype do you belong to ??

[Kilgh in reply to Eternity78]

This last year I can't say for sure it is IBS. Neither can my gastro, but he is leaning that way. The last 2 times I have had this the symptoms were a little different. I have a kind of dumping syndrome followed by constipation followed by dumping. Gastro says my gastrocolic reflex switch is firing off panic signals for some reason. Common in IBS.

But I have also had some symptoms that were highly indicative of an ulcer which could also explain the dumping symptoms. Hence the gastroscopy.

The ulcer-like symptoms were completely new to me. I generally only had pain during the dumping part. Now, no pain with dumping. But have had two bouts of prolonged stomach cramping, every 2-3 hours, for 15 minutes at a go, day and night, for several days but with no other symptoms. Much like a calf cramp and always in the same place. Just above and left of my bellybutton. And the area is sore to the touch if you press on it. Apparently this is very ulcer like.

So, still not sure of a diagnosis. The biopsies might still say it was an ulcer that has healed over since my last week of pain.

But doing the low FODMAP diet now as it is probably good for both leading theories.

[Eternity78 in reply to Kilgh]

your case is so complex and mysterious !! mostly pain in one particular area all the time is not indicative of IBS , and watch out for any other drugs you are taking as they can cause these pains as a "side effect " of prolonged use !

Hopefully the results of your biopsies can reveal more details about what's going on inside your guts ..keep us posted and take care 👍

[Kilgh in reply to Eternity78]

Thanks. Will do. I'm only on one drug. And that's Pregabalin. And that for only 6 weeks. I have only had 1 week of pain in over a year. So it's still not certain it has anything to do with the rest. Could have been stress. Just don't know.

[Mschick in reply to Kilgh]

My symptoms are so similar to yours. I’m waiting to have test done. Keep us posted on your progress. Feel better soon!!

[Kilgh in reply to Mschick]

Cheers! Good luck with yours.