So, this past friday I went for an endoscopy. I was so tense and scared they had to give me so much medication to try and calm me down. I don't remember anything from the experience except that tehy couldn't get the camera down my throat, apperently because I couldn't swallow I was so tense, even after the medicaitons. SO now I have to go again, but this time they are gonna put me out so I'm asleep. Any words to help calm me down?? I'm still nervous and this was the most uncomfortable experience I have ever been through in 14 years.
Oh, so sorry you weren't able to get that darn test done the 1st time. It will be much better the next time since they will put you out. I have a friend that has had this done several times and the same thing happens to her, she gets so upset and tense they can't do it without putting her out too. I think that would be the best anyway! :) I'm like you, I just hate any kind of test, but think of how nice it will be if they are able to find out the problem and treat it so you'll feel so much better! Hang in there and let us know how it turns out. God Bless, Pat
Hi SD1979....I'm sorry you had this experienced. Maybe your doctor was new for you. I ask for what I need during this type of procedure. I have a friend who walks in..sprays her throat and gets checked. Now..I'm not going that way. High anxiety level and fast gag reflect. I've only had this done once in life and I told them I didn't want to remember any of it. We did both ends. Just going through the medicine ritual the day before does it for me. I've had many x-rays over the years, but this was a piece of cake. I slept (6) hours. They had to shake me awake. I'm not sure what they used, but I felt great. It was the last time I remember not hurting for almost 24 hours.
Now that you know what to expect...ask for what you need. When someone is putting me to sleep, my life is in their hands...I don't want to feel dizzy and I ask them to take good care of me. I don't demand it, I just ask for comfort. Simple.
It's their job to ease your experience. Of course, this took me many years to figure out, but it does work. Something about looking at the people who are about to cut you open..an eye to eye thing. I've been cut on, poke at, had IV's in and all the rest of it..so, I finally got a voice.
I can certainly understand your fear and I have no doubt I would have been the same way. I've been known to walk away if I wasn't mentally prepared to cope. I'm just sorry you had to go through the trauma first. Just start retraining your brain. I help them, they help me.
Note: This is a true story....while the nurses were putting an IV in me and checking paperwork...she ask me if I had my Living Will in their file. I blinked and said, "no, but I'll make sure you have it next time". Maybe it should have upset me, but I thought it was such bad timing that I had to laugh.
Gluck,