So you want to know what it's like to get an Endoscopy? Well I just had one yesterday, and I had my first one about 2 and a half years ago, so I'll try to piece my anesthetized brain cells together and remember what it was like.
The first thing you have to do, which probably goes without saying, is that you have to schedule it, but I mention this because, for me, this was an annoying process which took a very long time. It involved referrals and hoopla and rigamarole and nonsuch. In short, it was annoying. But eventually, I did get scheduled, and a packet was sent to me which basically said that I shouldn't take any blood thinning medications (like aspirin and pepto) 7 days in advance of the procedure, and that I shouldn't take any antacids the day of the procedure. And most importantly, it wanted me to make sure I had a ride home from the hospital. (There was also some other information in the packet. You'll get your own packet before your Endoscopy.)
My Endoscopy was scheduled for 2:45 pm, and you're not supposed to eat or drink anything 8 hours before the EGD. But I take pills in the morning. No big deal, though...my packet said that it was okay to take my meds with a few sips of water, so I was good to go. (Check with your doctor on your specific medications if you're taking them before an Endoscopy.) It was a little bit rough to go all day without eating, so I don't recommend that you make your appointment in the afternoon. I didn't end up eating until 5:30pm, although, really, the procedure only lasted about 15 minutes.
I checked in an hour early, and they actually took me in the back fairly soon after I checked in. I had a pretty big purse with me and I was worried about where I was going to put it during the Endoscopy, but the nurse said it would go right into the room on the bed with me, so that was cool. I was taken into a little room and they told me to put on a gown. (Make sure you tie your gown closed in the back!! You'll be glad you did later!) Wear socks. They hooked up monitors that looked like they were for my heart and the one that sticks to your finger (I guess that's your pulse), and they attached IV fluids. Meanwhile the nurse was drilling me with questions about my health. My doctor came by and chatted with me for a few minutes and I signed a consent form. After they were gone, I got to watch TV for awhile, until another nurse came and wheeled me into the Endoscopy procedure room (or whatever you want to call it).
In this room was my doctor, a nurse, a technician (who hands the doctor whatever he wants), and the person who administers the medication. It's a pretty small room. The first time I had an Endoscopy done, I remember being wheeled into this room, seeing these people, getting sprayed in my throat, and that's about it. This time, I was awake for the whole thing. The first thing they do, after administering the anesthetic, is spray your throat with a numbing spray. It doesn't taste too bad. Then they have you lay on your side (this is when you'll be glad you tied your gown shut). They put some large piece of plastic in your mouth to hold it open (and this is where things get a little fuzzy for me-forgive me, I was on some powerful meds!), and they string long spaghetti-like tubes down your throat. You feel it a little bit, as it's going into your mouth, but it doesn't make you gag at all. I think I remember them putting something down my throat at least 3 times. Probably more. Now, I know these tubes have cameras on the ends of them, but I didn't see the camera and I didn't see the images they captured. I do have pictures from my first Endoscopy, in which I tested positive for Celiac Disease. My doctor talked to me after the procedure yesterday and told me he would call me in a couple days and send me some pictures in a couple weeks.
After the Endoscopy, I was wheeled back to another little room where they took out the IV and gave me a little juice. I put my regular clothes back on and they called my ride to come and pick me up. They wouldn't let me walk out of the unit. I had to be wheeled out in a wheelchair.
Later on in the evening, after the Demerol wore off, I had a little bit of a scratchy throat, and my stomach kind of ached a little bit. The stomachache could've just been "me". Today, the scratchy throat is still there, but barely noticeable, kind of like a tickle in my throat. I don't remember this happening the first time I had an Endoscopy.
So that's basically it. It's pretty simple, really. Nothing to get too nervous about. :)
If I can just say one last thing...if you think you have Celiac Disease and your doctor is looking at you like you're crazy, insist on getting tested. I went through the same thing and my life is so much better now that I know how to eat. It really makes a huge difference in your life.
Be well.
