Having a camera put down your throat into your stomach (called an endoscopy or a gastroscopy) can be scary, but they are a valuable diagnostic tool and are sometimes also used as part of treatment (e.g. when placing feeding tubes). On the whole, endoscopies for testing purposes are quick, and with some preparation you can make the experience more comfortable too.
Your hospital will give you instructions, including about fasting, before the endoscopy, but we have some extra advice to make the experience a little easier…
Print a list of your diagnoses and medications before you go – this one is useful for any treatment, or in fact for any appointment. Having an up to date list of your diagnoses, medications and even your specialists and hospitals can be a really useful way of saving time in appointments, leaving more time for the things you want to talk about. It also helps you to remember everything, including dosages, which can be hard, especially if you’re a bit nervous. The lists are also useful in emergencies – keep one on the fridge so that a family member can give them to a paramedic if you can do it yourself. Even better, store the lists in the cloud so several emergency contacts have access to them.
Research numbing spray vs. sedation – you may well be given the option of just having a numbing spray at the back of you throat or being sedated. Do some research and decide what you want to do. If you decide on sedation, be prepared to push for it, some hospitals are less willing to provide sedation but it’s absolutely a normal and safe option as part of an endoscopy and can make the whole experience much more tolerable.
Utilise your calming tools – once you’ve gowned up and are ready to go, there may be a wait. Now is the time to listen to music or a podcast, watch a show on your tablet, read a book, or employ calming tools like meditation to keep any nerves under control. They’ll also help pass the time quicker, especially while we can’t have anyone with us in hospital due to covid.
Pack food and drink… and a change of underwear – you won’t be able eat for several hours before your endoscopy to make sure your stomach is empty enough to see. Take some food and drink with you so that you can eat straight afterwards. If you are diabetic, make sure you take insulin with you. You also won’t be able to drink for a couple of hours before the endoscopy and sedation drops your blood pressure, so if you have PoTS, take some electrolytes with you to help bring your blood pressure back up again. If you have a particularly strong gag reflex, you may wish to take a change of underwear with you (you may pee a little as you gag).
Stock your fridge with soft food – it’s common to have a sore throat for a couple of days after an endoscopy. Stock your fridge with soup, yoghurts, chocolate oat milk, ice cream, whatever soft food you like that won’t aggravate your throat. Use your recovery as an opportunity to treat yourself, you got through something scary and tough, and you’ve earned some tasty rewards! You may also want to minimise work calls where you’re talking a lot.
Good luck!
