Endoscopy Accomplished! More Tests to Come, Next Time with Anaesthesia

Endoscopy accomplished!   The procedure wasn't so awful, not least because it was mercifully short: less than ten minutes.  The worst part, which I avoided thinking about until right before it happened, was the "swallowing" of the instrument with the camera.  Unfortunately there was quite a bit of choking and gagging on my part, which is mainly what I was afraid of.  Now I have a slightly sore throat, which shouldn't last long.

Endoscopies are performed with the same sedative "cocktail" as colonoscopies.   Based on plenty of past experience with said latter procedure, I warned today's doctor in advance that I have a ridiculously high tolerance to sedatives, narcotics, and painkillers of all kinds.  "Feel free to give me a horse-sized dose," I suggested.  Thus they shouldn't have been surprised that I remained mostly aware and alert during the entire procedure.  When it was over, the nice doctor administering the sedatives remarked that she ended up giving me the very biggest dose they could manage short of complete anaesthetization.  I have heard that one before.

Diagnosis is still elusive.  There is inflammation of the pancreas, just as was shown in last week's MRCP.  This "pancreatitis" may or may not require treatment.  Biopsy results from today will be available in one to three weeks.  During that time I'll continue taking omeprazole, since I haven't been on it long enough to determine whether it's helping. 

Dr. Sheth doesn't think I need immediate surgery, which is a big relief.  On the other hand he does want me to undergo a few more tests, which *will* involve full anaesthesia.  These will probably get scheduled sometime in the next month or so.

I feel very grateful to Bill S., who picked me up at home, drove me to hospital, stayed with me the whole time and then drove me home.  His calm and steady presence made the experience much easier.

Since I didn't experience heavy sedation, it wore off very fast.  By the end of the drive home I felt 99% back to normal (such as it is).

I must also add that the young medical assistant in Dr. Sheth's office who drew my blood before today's exam did it in the most expert fashion.  I'm pretty squeamish about needles so I don't say this lightly: it was the most pain-free blood drawing experience I can remember in years.  And I've had a lot of them.  I must get his name next time to let his superiors know what a great job he did.