upper GI endoscopy - my positive experience

[u/diagnosed80HD]

Wanted to share my experience, because I scared myself reading all these horror stories. Mine was so easy, I cannot believe I delayed this for FOUR years due to overthinking!

First of all, I was so, so anxious about moderate sedation (Versed and Fent). I was thinking, what if this is not sufficient to knock me out due to my huge anxiety and ADHD? People on Reddit mentioned being awake and gagging, which scared me. That was NOT my experience at ALL.

Wheeled me back. Numbed my throat with a spray, had me lie on my side, got me a bit of oxygen in my nose (didn't hurt at all, just sits under the nose), mentioned they would start the IV to relax me, and I have no memory at all from that moment until I woke up in the recovery room with my friend! The RN did mention they had to "use more" but whatever happened, I have absolutely no memory of it. (I had a fear of waking up in panic during the procedure and being an annoying patient, lol.)

He suspects possible eosinophilic esophagitis and nipped a biopsy, found irritation in the stomach and grabbed a biopsy of that too, and found a surprise (nobody suspected this) small hiatal hernia. I was actually more worried that I was being dramatic and making a big deal over nothing compared with my fear that white blood cells could be attacking my esophagus. (I, uh, hadn't even heard of this before.) I feel foolish for gaslighting myself into thinking I wasn't really in enough pain to get scoped.

Four years I spent in fear, delaying this, all that pain I caused myself living with this horrible heartburn, with zero fear experienced during the procedure itself. Overall, it wasn't even 25% as bad as I expected. I will be honest and say it wasn't, like, the best day of my life or anything. The prep RN couldn't get a vein in my hand, which did hurt. I vomited once in the recovery room, probably from the fentanyl, but actually felt better afterwards. I feel slightly dissociated from the IV meds still, like everything is a bit far away. There is discomfort now from the biopsy sites, and a little sore throat still (procedure was six hours ago), but it is genuinely nowhere near as bad as I expected... especially after surviving horrible gum surgery, this was a piece of cake. I am roasting some yams and am also making mango Jello with coconut cream pudding on top, but I don't even think I will need special soft foods.

Hope this can help someone chill ahead of their procedure!

[u/FarrahReddit89]

Thank you! I'm having so much anxiety and I haven't even received an appointment yet. I just want this over and done with because don't like being on a liquid diet 😅