Question:
How bad is the upper endoscopy?
How bad is the upper endoscopy? Does everyone have to have one? Why do they require you to have the endoscopy and the upper GI? Doesn't it show the same thing basically? How long does it take? Can you drive yourself home from the endoscopy? Thanks in advance for any info. — thumpiez (posted on August 26, 2002)
August 26, 2002
Hi, My Endoscopy was NOT bad at all. I went home and ate lunch afterwards,
lol. Can you drive yourself home? NO way! The meds they give you won't
allow it. The only thing I remember about that day is getting my IV pout
in and my Gastro Doctor giving me some wonderful medication. Next thing I
remember is waking up, being put in the car and pulling up in my driveway,
my husband driving ofcourse. He fixed me lunch, I ate it and then fell
alseep the rest of the day. Its really not bad at all. I was scared to
death to, afraid of choking and all that yucky stuff. I didn't have a
problem.
— lesleeloo
August 26, 2002
I just had one a few days ago! No a bad experience at all. You get an IV
and then those lovely sleepy meds. I remember being told to turn over on my
side and I was chatting with the doc. Then I remember sitting up in bed in
another room and drinking juice and munching on a cracker. It's kind of
cool. Can you drive home? No Way! You will be very sleepy. Take care!
— Sheila T.
August 26, 2002
Hi. Exact experience as Leslie word for word! (except change
"husband" to "pastor's wife") Piece of cake. I felt
good enough when got home that I couldn't believe that I actually fell
asleep for 6 hours when I got home. And I thought I was gonna go back to
work that day - silly me. I did not have an upper GI...and, yes, I thought
they accomplished the same thing....
— Debby M.
August 26, 2002
I have had two endoscopies done and it's not big deal. Like the other
posters said, they start an IV and you go to sleep. My gastro doctor
assured me that I would remember nothing about the procedure and he was
right. The Upper GI and endoscopy don't show exactly the same thing - The
upper GI shows any blockages or leaks and shows the travel route of the
barium (if you are post-op, it's fascinating to watch the barium fill the
pouch and then empty). The endoscpoy lets the doctor see just what might
be causing the problem. I had a stitch that had worked its way into the
pouch and was causing a blockage and severe nausea.
No, you cannot drive. In fact, the hospital had me sign papers promising
not to do any business deals the day of the procedure. The medication is
quite strong and you really aren't yourself. I was in recovery for an hour
after the procedure (the actual endoscopy only takes about 3 -5 minutes but
the prep takes a little time). The I was released. I went to the house,
puttered around a bit and the took a 2 hour nap. Late that afternoon, I
drove to WalMart and did some shopping.
Good luck.
— Patty_Butler
August 26, 2002
I'm an old pro at upper endoscopies....I've had 5 of them..4 since my
sugery in April. They are a piece of cake! The worst part for me is
getting the IV (I'm a really tough stick!) Make sure that you see a
specialist and that they give you Versed or something similar so you are
completely oblivient to what is going on. I have heard of people being
semi-aware of what was going on, but that never happened to me. The worst
part is the painful gas that you will most likely have afterwards. Other
than that...it's truly a breeze. Good Luck!
— pam29922
August 26, 2002
Upper Endoscopy? Just had mine done and it was a breeze. Ditto to what
the other folks said.
— Karen K.
Click Here to Return