"Having a gastrocopy - the patient's perspective"

After having nausea, abdominal pain and sickness for years my Doctor finally sent me for an endoscopy - I actually had to request this. I was sent to Hallamshire hospitals gastroenterology department to see a Doctor who said he would book me in for the endoscopy and also a bone density scan as all the sickness problems meant I was under weight and not eating well so they wanted to check my bones were okay too due to my poor diet.

I got my endoscopy appointment in about 2 weeks. I went in and had my blood pressure taken before been led into the room where the procedure takes place. There were 3 people in the room who were all very friendly and helpful. I had the spray to numb my throat then they laid me down on my side in position then put the needle into my arm to connect the sedative which I had requested they also connect something to your finger so they can monitor your condition. Then oxygen was given to me - they connect this to your nose then put a mouth guard between your teeth before inserting the thin tube into your throat then into your stomach.. This is uncomfortable felt the urge to gag but its just for a few seconds. The procedure only took about 5 minutes, then I was wheeled out into the recovery ward area where i sat with my blood pressure being monitored for about 20 minutes. They then get you up and put you in a recover seating room where an hour in total after your procedure they make you a cup of tea. I was then led into a room to have the needle which the sedative is fed into taken out and hear my results, The staff that carried out the endoscopy were fantastic, the nurses were okay but not overly friendly. I got my results but due to still being slightly sedated it didn't go in too well so will have to wait to hear from my doctor. Overall quite impressed.