Endoscopy Fear

[unicorn 4]

Hi all,

I have posted a topic on February of 2018 regarding post nasal drip and constant clearing of throat due to GERD/Acid reflux . I’ve been to the ENT lots of times already and took prescribed medication and a diet . 

Last month, I went to the doctor to be checked for any signs of dengue after I had a fever and colds . I then brought up my GERD/Acid reflux issue and told my doctor that it hasn’t gone away . That the medication did help a little but I had it for just a few weeks . My doctor asked me if I was scoped and I did but on the throat and they found nothing blocking my throat . The doctor mentioned that it might be a problem in the stomach and suggested that I’d be scheduled for an endoscopy after my colds to see if it might be ulcer .

But I didn’t go back . I am afraid of endoscopy and my doctor doesn’t know that . I even had a problem when I got my throat scoped because I panicked and I easily gagged . I also read that they could sedate you and it would be as if nothing happened . But my fear of waking up in the middle of the procedure gets to me and my throat clearing situation is annoying . Especially the freling of something stuck in your throat and the difficulty to swallot at times when experiencing post nasal drip . Another fear is stomach cancer .

[MARC 429]

I have had nine upper endoscopy's (maybe 10 as I lost count) and they are a piece of cake. I had an esophageal ulcer in 2003 and that is how the ulcer was uncovered. I had a terrible burning sensation in the center of my back every time I ate.  The actual procedure is quick, maybe 15-20 minutes or less. The procedure is very low risk and there is no preparation needed. It is the best sleep I have ever had. I use a GI physcian who has done thousands of them over many years and I have the utmost confidence in him and have no fear at all. Get the procedure done and you will come back and see that I was right. Good luck. 

[Leah1976 301]

I am on same boat. I have GERD and LPR and I need to schedule my endoscopy... talked to my GI doctor last week about my fears of stomach cancer and he told me I don't have that... so I feel better about it.... the endoscopy is super easy, no prep! and you sleep so good like Mark said. I have had 2 already in the past and this will be my third! I also have hiatal hernia and they need to look how big it is. Good luck you are not alone and don't be afraid!!!!!

[unicorn 4]

On 8/27/2018 at 12:14 AM, MARC said:

I have had nine upper endoscopy's (maybe 10 as I lost count) and they are a piece of cake. I had an esophageal ulcer in 2003 and that is how the ulcer was uncovered. I had a terrible burning sensation in the center of my back every time I ate.  The actual procedure is quick, maybe 15-20 minutes or less. The procedure is very low risk and there is no preparation needed. It is the best sleep I have ever had. I use a GI physcian who has done thousands of them over many years and I have the utmost confidence in him and have no fear at all. Get the procedure done and you will come back and see that I was right. Good luck. 

Can you ask the doctor to sedate you ? Will they let it if it’s the patient’s request ?

[unicorn 4]

On 8/27/2018 at 1:19 AM, Leah1976 said:

I am on same boat. I have GERD and LPR and I need to schedule my endoscopy... talked to my GI doctor last week about my fears of stomach cancer and he told me I don't have that... so I feel better about it.... the endoscopy is super easy, no prep! and you sleep so good like Mark said. I have had 2 already in the past and this will be my third! I also have hiatal hernia and they need to look how big it is. Good luck you are not alone and don't be afraid!!!!!

I’m scared . My grandpa had an endoscopy and it was stomach cancer . Why did you have 3 endoscopies ? Was your GERD not cured yet before this histal hernia ?

[Leah1976 301]

44 minutes ago, unicorn said:

I’m scared . My grandpa had an endoscopy and it was stomach cancer . Why did you have 3 endoscopies ? Was your GERD not cured yet before this histal hernia ?

I don't think you can ever cure GERD but you can control it with medicine and diet. Sorry about your grandpa  I know how you feel, but stomach cancer is more of an older population cancer, the average of detection is 68. Please try not to worry so much! And you won't wake up in the middle of the procedure, I promise. It's easy, you just go to sleep and when you wake up is all done!!!! Good luck!