Scared for endoscopy tomorow

My Dad has terminal oesophageal cancer that was only picked up due to low iron (with no other symptoms, not even swallowing issues) and was sent for both bottom and top cameras and he was told instantly that he had cancer. I have Barretts (pre cancerous condition that can turn into cancer ) and Eosinophilic esophagitis were food gets stuck in the oesophagus and constantly choke. Mine got so bad that I had to have a camera (with balloon stretch) under GA as I had such a narrowing they couldn’t get camera down.
Please if you have any symptoms that you are worried about, just get the camera done. I understand how terrifying it is but please try and get someone to be with your children. The sedation isn’t as extreme as they make it out to be. I’m glad that you going to get someone to stay with you.
Good luck x

No friends?
Your relatives?
A school mum?

Ask to have it done under GA.
It's not impossible to arrange, but you'll need someone to get you and stay with you afterwards.

You can have it under GA but the waiting list is ridiculous, like a year or something. If you’re so panicky that you can’t have an essential medical procedure then perhaps you should be looking to address your panic and anxiety first. If you’re that wound up that’s probably what’s causing your health issues.

I'm sorry to hear that.
You need to rebook it, plan to have sedation and arrange someone to come and get you

Some years ago I had one under GA. You may need to do this if you're really afraid.

@Spirro , exactly what I wanted to say without the fluff 😀

They found out I had Eosinophilic esophagitis due to my colonscopy. It was a relief actually, eight weeks of treatment and it's not come back (so far).

Fingers crossed you're all done and it's nothing to worry about.

If it was cancer you’d be dead by now. It doesn’t sound like cancer at all. Coughing is more a symptom of lung cancer anyway, not stomach cancer. It’s probably acid reflux or anxiety. Or acid reflux caused by anxiety.

I had endoscopy without sedation a few months ago and it was unpleasant but it only lasted five minutes and it wasn’t that bad. They found nothing except acid reflux.

Units work 7 days now, short staffed and underfunded, they bring teams from other areas or use on call surgical staff to clear the waiting lists

You're having it done on a Sunday?

Here rooting for you! You can do it xxx

I have a genetic condition which raises my risk of certain cancers; stomach, bowel amongst others so I have biannual endoscopies and colonoscopies at the same time. I was worried beforehand, but the staff are so lovely and put you at ease. Honestly, it's better to get it over and done with.

This doesn't sound like cancer to me
My dad died from it last year and he went from First symptoms (reflux) to dying in 3 months.

You would have lost weight rather than gained to and you just would know about it by now if it was

You definitely need to go though however hard it is for a diagnosis so they can treat what ever it is :)
It will soon be over which will feel like such a relief. I always focus on that with medical procedures

I had an endoscopy a few months ago. My symptoms were a feeling of something stuck in throat, problems swallowing, reflux etc. I’d also had some other health problems which had been going on for a while.
I was very scared it was sinister, but needed to know/ rule out things.
I had it without sedation-just the throat spray anaesthetic. There was a very brief moment of ( I’m talking 2 - 3 seconds) where I thought I wouldn’t be able to do it, but after that it was ok, slightly uncomfortable but not painful. The nurse that was supporting the doctors carrying out the procedure was excellent, and talked me through the whole thing and kept me calm. Listen to their instructions and just focus on what they are telling you. I had a trainee doctor doing the procedure ( under consultant instruction) and he was also excellent.
I had the results there and then- all clear fortunately.
I never did get an actual diagnosis for my problem, but anxiety was suggested as a potential cause.
I believe it was a combination of food intolerances causing silent reflux, weight gain( I’ve managed to lose a bit of weight now) several courses of antibiotics which messed up my digestive system, and anxiety.
After some lifestyle changes, probiotics, diet adjustments I’ve made a huge improvement.
good luck x

If it was oesophageal cancer, you would have got to a point where you couldn't swallow within months, let alone years. As others said, much more likely to be reflux or perhaps sphincter dysfunction. But don't take it lightly, some reflux can slightly increase the risk of cancer and must be treated. It might just be a good old fashioned hiatus hernia seeing as it hasn't progressed into anything actute. Good luck, try not to worry, have something like a TV show you know really well in your head to focus on and feel free to message if you need support. It will be ok. These diagnostic lists were our quick easy days when we finished on time, in and out and almost always ruling out the nasties. X

Just to add, the sedation, Midazolam, doesn't actually make you sleep, it just makes you forget the procedure. Some people are snoozy and relaxed, others are like bad drunks, it's not like anaesthetics. I used to be a bit freaked out by the fact someone was flashing us one minute and then 20 minutes later asking when they would have the sedation, total and utter memory loss. It lowers inhibitions and is an all round horrid drug, also used for terrible things illegally. If you choose to have it, always have someone with you for a good few hours and don't drink alcohol.

You know you must go. Statistically it's far more likely to be something treatable. Then you'll know and be able to get on with life. I had one 18 months ago and it was very quick. I had the throat spray (I opted for sedation, but it was only very mild) and it was all done in a matter of minutes.