Gastric Scope: what to expect?

[Seshat]

I have reflux. I've been taking Nexium (esomeprazole) for it, and it hasn't resolved it. My doctor said that when that happens, they like to put a scope down and find out what's going on.

What can I expect? Has anyone had this done? Panacea, trailerparkmedic, do you guys know this procedure?


Thanks.

[teh_blumchenkinder]

I hear that while it's standard procedure in the U.S. to sedate people, in Europe it's not-- so I have no clue what's done in Oz.
I do know one of the side-effects of the sedation is amnesia... as well as the desired gag-reflex suppression... I also know that it's supposed to be painless-- just something stuck down your throat, look around, bam, sort of thing-- this was how it was explained to me when it came up at an appointment.

[ArcticChicken]

I do know one of the side-effects of the sedation is amnesia...

IANAD, but I'm pretty sure the amnesia is the effect of a specific drug, and if you can request they not use it.

When my aunt had her mastectomy, she had to spend some time arguing with her doctors about not having that particular drug in the anesthesia. She didn't want it because they'd given it to her when she broke her wrist a year or so earlier, and it fucked up her memory for a few days after.

[FormerCallingCardRep]

When they did mine a couple of years ago they gave me twilight. When Little Bits had hers boack in Feb they gave her totally knocked her out. The difference may have been where it was done, or the fact that hers was pediatric. Come to think of it, when they did my oldest daughters they knocked her out too.

[ohsobitter]

I just had this done in the States in July and was sedated. Took about 15 mins total for the procedure and to have my esophagus stretched due to scar tissue from my GERD. Woke up shortly there after and didn't have any side-effects, but I've been knocked out quite a few times before.

Came right home and ate things I hadn't been able to eat for months. Well worth being sedated for a few minutes, basically shorter than most naps.

[Catwoman2965]

I've had 6 over the last 10 years, and have been knocked out for all of them. I also had an endoscopic ultrasound and was only sedated. Which honestly, wasn't all that bad, as I was out of it enough not to care, and one of the meds makes you forget. If you can, I'd recommend being totally out.

Mine took less than 30 minutes each time, they kept me for another 30 until the anasthesia wore off, then I got to go home. My other advice would be if you can, schedule for first thing in the morning as you can't eat or drink anything, and by getting it out of the way, you won't be like I was for my last one at noon; starving and with a raging headache from lack of food/caffiene.

[AnaKhouri]

I had pretty much the same experience this past summer. I have had acid reflux for 10 years on and off, and suddenly it went ON with a vengeance, so they checked things out to make sure I didn't have a tumor or hernia or something that might have caused it to go crazy, they also took a biopsy to check for Barrett's Esophagus because I've had reflux so long. Didn't find anything, and my reflux is back to normal, so I suspect it was stress. Also, Nexium never worked for me, so maybe you've just taken it so long it lost its effectiveness? At any rate, don't worry.

I was put out and had a lovely sleep when I got home.

[Seshat]

Thanks, all of you. I appreciate it!

Feeling much better about it now.

[teh_blumchenkinder]

Excellent! glad we could help! I would much rather have a gastric look-see than a mammogram!

[Sapphire Silk]

I have reflux. I've been taking Nexium (esomeprazole) for it, and it hasn't resolved it. My doctor said that when that happens, they like to put a scope down and find out what's going on.

What can I expect? Has anyone had this done? Panacea, trailerparkmedic, do you guys know this procedure?


Thanks.

The procedure is pretty routine. They will put you under conscious sedation (now called moderate sedation), probably with Versed (a sedative with the beneficial side effect of impairing short term memory) and a narcotic for pain (used to be Demerol a lot, but they probably will use something else).

Once you're sedated, the doctor will gently insert the scope into your mouth, down the throat, and through the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. He'll take pictures of anything abnormal he sees, and possibly take tissue samples.

They'll "recover you" for a while until you are awake enough to walk and swallow fluids. Then they'll send you home.

He may have an initial idea, but will have to evaluate the findings and any pathology report before telling you for sure what's going on.

And the answer may simply be that you have X condition, but that there is no reason to change your current treatment regimen.

[Seshat]

Thanks, Panacea.

Now all I have to worry about is my gyn appt next week. (I'm hoping to be allowed to be sterilised and have one of the options for reducing/removing periods.)

[Lucky Charm]

I had mine done a few years ago in the states. It took about twenty minutes and I just remember wanting to sleep more when I woke up because mine was the first appointment of the day. Didn't even have a scratchy throat. I think the worst part of it was not being able to tense up my arm the way I wanted to when they put in the IV for the anesthesia (needles and I are not friends). Good luck!

[Mikkel]

It wasn't that bad. They sprayed my throat with local anaesthetic, put a tube between my teeth and strapped it around my neck so, as they explained, I wouldn't harm their expensive equipment by biting down.
Then they asked me to lie on my side and put the scope down my throat. I was awake all through. They told me that if I did feel like throwing up I should just do so, there wouldn't come anything up, and if I felt I couldn't breathe I should remember that I did get air enough even if it didn't feel like it.
It wasn't pleasant, but it wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be. The worst part was that I couldn't eat anything until after the anaesthetic had worn off and since I had fasted for twelve hours before, I was ravenous.
No sore throat afterwards.

[Rapscallion]

I've had it. I was told to relax and become one with the table. Had the spray and tube before the insertion proper. I still gagged a few times. Had to force myself to relax.

Stock up on ice cream. Easy eating with a throat that feels scratchy after.

Rapscallion

[draco664]

I had one done a few years ago. I was sedated, woke up afterwards and felt great, no sore throat, just a little uncomfortable in the tummy for half an hour or so.

The guy going in before me was having a colonoscopy, so I asked that they made sure the machine was cleaned afterwards...