Really nervous...proceedure on Tues.

[Kittee]

HI all, new here, you may have saw my post in the introduction forum.

Tuesday I am scheduled to have a "endoscopy like" procedure, apparently the tube is longer so they can reach my small bowel. I've never had anything like this done before and I'm quite nervous.

Any tips? Support?

-Kittee :sheep:

 

[Kev]

Hi Kittee Welcome to the forum.. The 'endoscopy like' procedure is pretty vague. I know countless people, myself included, who have had numerous colonoscopies. It essentially consists of an endoscopic exam, via the colon, that sometimes can reach the ileum (small bowel).. This procedure sounds daunting, but actually is a cake walk.. The only bad part is the preparation.. the bowel has to be completely cleaned out... that's done at home prior to the scope process. The scope process is typically done under anesthetic, so you won't feel a thing (or be aware/awake during that) IF that's what they have in mind, then they should have told you about the prep AND the need for someone to be with you after AS a post anesthetic precautionary measure. IF they intend to use the endoscope orally, and pass thru the stomach and down into the duodenum and upper GI tract... Welll, for that, they typically just use a freeze spray on the throat, AND you have to be awake/alert to swallow it, and that can be a little daunting, but I've known countless people who have had it done... and suffered no ill effects other than a slightly sore throat or a rather bad taste from the freeze spray. for this, you don't need the bowel pred (and that is worth celebrating alone) AND you don't need a post scope babysitter (a necessary nuisance IF it was a colonoscopic procedure they had planned). OK, I hope I haven't added to your worries... And I hope that my info isn't overly redundant or simplistic. you may already be familiar on a first hand basis with both of these. I wasn't sure from your post, and wanted to cover the basics.

 

[Kittee]

Hey thanks No problem. Apparently this is a endoscopy with a longer tube so she can reach my small bowel. Thankfully not a colonscopy. She told me to bring my hubby, since they are sedating me to run the tube down. Your post did not make me more nervous I am making me more nervous. I'm sure I'll be a wreck before Tues morning haha.

 

[Kev]

Hey Kittee... Yeah, isn't it amazing what ones imagination will do to a person. It's really 6 of 1, 1/2 dozen of the other when it comes to endoscopic examinations. I personally don't mind the colonoscopy approach now... but the 1st time I found it in principal just so.. invasive and embarrassing. But in fact, it turned out to be less so than a sigmoidoscopic exam.. think the difference is the anesthetic (sp?). The worst part is the prep., and even that is manageable

As for the endoscopic approach from the other end, I'm a bit puzzled by the dr. saying they'll be sedating you... I've never heard of that before, but what do I know. Always thought one had to be conscious enuff during this method to aid in the 'swallowing' required. We've got oodles of experienced folks on here, so I would expect someone has at least heard of it, probably experienced it first hand. The good news is that, once past this, the dr's will have a better idea on what condition things are inside. Really the biggest hurdle is getting diagnosed accurately/completely. Once you are over that hurdle, then you can start to work on a regimen that hopefully will get your IBD under control, turn things around. I think a lot of folks 'support' group (family, friends, etc.) START to get the idea as to how 'serious' the illness is, how 'real' it is, once they see 'tests' like these being performed from the sidelines. Think it brings it home to them.
The good news is that IBD in any of it's various forms is a 'survivable' disease.
Life altering... true. Life ending... very rarely. There's a "real" blessing there..

 

[D Bergy]

I had both procedures done in the same session. I was sedated, but not unconscious. I remember a little about it, and remember being told to swallow the apparatus. I also remember them pulling it out.

The procedure was not that bad, but I was kind of loopy after the first episode. The second time I just had the colonoscopy and I was slightly more aware of what was going on. There was one point when it hurt a bit internally, and I moved a little and said ouch. Probably when they took a biopsy. Other than that, these scopes are really quite uneventful. It is easier than your average Dentist appointment.

Like Kev said , the prep is worse than the procedure.

Dan

 

[Jeff D.]

I would try not to worry about it. I have anxiety problems and when I start to worrt about things I make it much worse then it is. I hope you don't lose too much sleep over it. Best wishes

 

[Digits]

This procedure is not that bad, and in honestly it will give you a peace of mind afterwards, when your GI will know more about whats going on.

If you are too nervous, tell any doc or nurse, and they will get you some medication most likely through your IV to help calm you down and relax you. Never be shy to ask for meds like that, they are there to make any and all procedures easier. I used to be afraid to ask, but that was a mistake.

 

[Kittee]

Sounds like a plan. I'll lettum know tomorrow during the consult about my nerves. =)

 

[GregD]

I'm going to second what Digits said. They usually give you some demorall before the procedure, which helps a lot. Also, I'd ask them to give you a lot of Versett. I once didn't get enough and woke up, very lucid, in the middle of the procedure. As you can imagine, it wasn't much fun.

Good luck tomorrow. I'm sure everything will go fine.

-Greg

 

[Kittee]

Thank ya =)

 

[drew_wymore]

Just wanted to wish you good luck today Kittee. Praying things will go quickly and smoothly for you and you'll have some answers.

 

[Kittee]

Thanks for all the prayers folks.

The test went well, and like you all said, after they gave me the "sleepy time" meds, I don't remember a thing. I remember some place in the back of my mind, grunting, saying owe and someone saying "its almost over, its alright, its almost over" but that is IT! I was zonked out.

My DH got me home good, I felt great then I tried to get some chick fil-a, ate a few fries like 3 lol and got sick to my stomach. So I laid down and ...well 4 hours later...here I am.

I feel ok, just groggy and my throat feels like I have a case of the worst strep throat EVER. SO sore and painful so I am going to keep it to liquid/soft foods tonight. (Drinking water as we speak.)


Now the results...

She didn't find anything except for a few polyps. She feels that the scope did not go deep enough and so she has scheduled a new procedure on the 17th.

The magic pill test. :allright:

Supposedly I swallow a tiny camera pill and it will go down further taking pictures. Pretty cool!

Anyone done this one yet?

Thanks again for the support!

 

[drew_wymore]

Thanks for all the prayers folks.

The test went well, and like you all said, after they gave me the "sleepy time" meds, I don't remember a thing. I remember some place in the back of my mind, grunting, saying owe and someone saying "its almost over, its alright, its almost over" but that is IT! I was zonked out.

My DH got me home good, I felt great then I tried to get some chick fil-a, ate a few fries like 3 lol and got sick to my stomach. So I laid down and ...well 4 hours later...here I am.

I feel ok, just groggy and my throat feels like I have a case of the worst strep throat EVER. SO sore and painful so I am going to keep it to liquid/soft foods tonight. (Drinking water as we speak.)


Now the results...

She didn't find anything except for a few polyps. She feels that the scope did not go deep enough and so she has scheduled a new procedure on the 17th.

The magic pill test. :allright:

Supposedly I swallow a tiny camera pill and it will go down further taking pictures. Pretty cool!

Anyone done this one yet?

Thanks again for the support!

I have done it twice in the last month =)

Its really uneventful. The camera is the size of a vitamin and is so easy to swallow. You have to wear a harness for the day that makes you look like a suicide bomber, so be prepared for some funny stares but otherwise its a breeze.

 

[Jeff D.]

I'm glad it went uneventful. I wish you the best of luck on the pill test.

 

[Kev]

Yeah, and I think if you pay $1 extra, you can get a second set of prints, suitable for framing... Or was that a wal-mart ad? Anyway, nonsense aside, glad to hear it went well... See, the positive news is that as far as the scope was able to go, nothing but a few polyps appeared. so, if they've scoped from the top down, and from the bottom up, and all appears well, you've got 12 - 16 feet of perfectly 'fine' GI tract... now, all you need to do is check out the areas in between with the pill cam. Lots of folks on here have had this procedure. I'd just sit back N relax AND (have to say it, can't stop myself) see what develops!

 

[drew_wymore]

Yeah, and I think if you pay $1 extra, you can get a second set of prints, suitable for framing... Or was that a wal-mart ad? Anyway, nonsense aside, glad to hear it went well... See, the positive news is that as far as the scope was able to go, nothing but a few polyps appeared. so, if they've scoped from the top down, and from the bottom up, and all appears well, you've got 12 - 16 feet of perfectly 'fine' GI tract... now, all you need to do is check out the areas in between with the pill cam. Lots of folks on here have had this procedure. I'd just sit back N relax AND (have to say it, can't stop myself) see what develops!

Kev -
You sir, need to become a comic. Or a Jeweler dealing in Comedy Gold :ylol2: :ylol2:

 

[Keara07]

Indeed - love the laughs!

Glad everything went smooth for you Kittee. I think the nerves ahead of all this new stuff gets the best of sometimes...hope you get all the info and can heal from there asap! Best wishes!

 

[Kittee]

Thanks all =)

I haven't been scoped from bottom up yet =P But hopefully this pill cam will find the source without that being necessary!

 

[drew_wymore]

The biggest risk which they will inform you of during the consult is that it could get "stuck" and need to be "fished" out via surgery. The second one I swallowed got "stuck" but fortunately I was able to pass it without having to have a scope up the bum or the tummy cut open. I wouldn't worry too much. Its kinda cool seeing the camera.

 

[Kittee]

Thanks for letting me know Drew. =)

I'm hurting so bad tonight, I dont really care if they cut me open to figure it out. :yfrown: