I just had a camera down my throat about four months ago, but not for an upper GI (though I've had that done too years ago).

The reason I had the camera inspection done is because I've had voice problems for several years. I was going hoarse all the time especially when I was stressed or just incredibly busy at work (i.e., constantly). I used to sing at weddings and in the last few years could not squeak out even a single note. Very distressing.

Anyhow, my GP sent me to a neck and throat doctor who numbed my throad with some spray, snaked a long tube with a camera on it through my nose and down to my vocal chords. Once there, he asked me to whistle, read a script he had, say ahhh, etc. He recorded everything.

It was only uncomfortable when he tried to make it past the vocal chords and even then it wasn't painful, just felt like I had something stuck in my throat, which I did. :-)

When he was done, he showed me the recording and explained what a normal voicebox looked like. Mine was not normal looking. Turns out I have reflux without any symptoms except voice loss. He started me on prescription strength Pepsid and I'm singing again.

Jodi-

Well my discomfort is near the voicebox. I've been on Nexium for 30 days. The Prylosec for 14 days. No help. The Doctor thought it was reflux.

Maybe I want have to have the GI. But, he did say they would numb my throat and insert a camera on a tube.

I had a Steriod Shot Yesterday and hoping whatever it is will cease before this darn test.

Gayle

I believe that is an endoscopy. Like a colonoscopy, but from the other end! ahahahaha

I had an upper GI... and I drank some lovely stuff, waited for a while, and then the exrayed me.

I had the endoscopy a few years ago. I thought they put me out, but I found out later they gave me Versed, the memory eraser. As I've said before on this forum, I'm opposed to that drug. Fortunately, I didn't have any lasting problem from it.

I later met a man who told the doctor not to give him anything for his endoscopy because he had to get back to work. "What was the procedure like?" I asked him.

"It was exactly what you experienced," he replied. "The only difference is that you don't remember it."

I've had many colonoscopies (and one oral surgery) with Versed and, of course, I remember nothing. I can't decide how I feel about that. I can't help feeling that the amnesia is a blessing because I don't dread the procedure at all, but it brings up a really perplexing question. Is it memory that makes something truly unbearable? It's so weird to realize that I wouldn't dread waterboarding or any other sort of torture if I knew I could have Versed.

Yikes, I didn't mean to imply that an upper GI would be torture. My mother had one years and years ago and must not have had the drug, because she remembered it as not being exactly pleasant, but not nearly as bad as she had feared.

Is it memory that makes something truly unbearable?

Well, it instills fear, that's for sure. As for "unbearable," I guess we'd have to define the word.

But the fact that we can't remember the pain doesn't mean we didn't experience it, and doesn't mean that it wasn't torturous at the time. I'm not talking about endoscopies now, by the way!

After the culdoscopy I had years ago with Versed, I dreamt afterward (more than once) about screaming and cursing and trying to escape. I have to believe an experience like that, whether or not the person remembers it later, is not a healthy thing.

Dh had the procedure once a month for a year after radiation treatment for vocal cord cancer, then every six months & now once a year. He says it's not bad at all.
(Cancer is gone, thank God!)

I had the endoscopy, (tube down your throat) and doc. implanted some little sensor in my esophagus to test the levels of acid. I didn't feel a thing after they sprayed my throat w/numbing stuff, and woke up shortly after. piece of cake!

I had the exact same thing as Jodi (camera through your nose into your throat) because I get layrngitis a lot. And it would last 3-4 weeks before my voice was back to normal. They didn't find anything, but they also didn't find any tumors, or damage, so that was lucky. As I type right now, I'm going on week 2 of hoarseness.

It wasn't painful, but uncomfortable and it felt like something was in my nose for a few days (the memory of it!!)

Hi Gayle.
I had this procedure done last Sept. Been having lots of problems with an ulcer.

NO ONE was more nervous than I was...but, please, try not to be. Once the anesthetic takes hold YOU DO NOT FEEL a THING. In my case they found h pylori and put me on appropriate meds. But no cancer. Praise the Lord!

The procedure literally takes just MINUTES. You're in and out in no time. Millions of people have had this done and it's a real diagnostic blessing because they can actually see what's going on inside of you, instead of guessing.
Wishing you the very best.
Cream

The thought of any tube going down my throat scares me more than anything else. This is coming from a person who HATES throat cultures and cries if she has to have them done (and I'm in my 40s!). I'd rather have it go up the other end than down my throat. I pray I never need to have it done!

Sheryl

Had procedure done in October 2007.

No big deal. I worried and agonized over nothing!

You are completely put out. You do not feel or remember a thing. Takes about 10-15 minutes.

Like Bigack, I too had the sensor attached in my esophagus. Unfortunately for me, it fell off when I ate something and the two day monitoring was all for nothing.

To read about this acid monitoring, copy/paste...

http://www.medtronic.com/neuro/gerd/whatisBravo.html

~ Carol ~

Thank you all....so, far the steroid shot I got hasn't changed anything, but I have 7 more days before the ENT.

I kept waiting for the burst of energy you are surpose to get after a steroid shot. It never came. But, last night I got real "antsy" and had to get up and clean house to take of the edge. LOL!

Gayle

Versed ... hate the stuff. Not because I've ever had a bad reaction to it, it just creeps me out that I can have lengthy conversations while on it yet have no recollection whatsoever.

The first time I was given it was for a colonoscopy. They told me right before the procedure what they were giving me (Versed) and how it works. I fully expected to have no recollection whatsoever. It was the kind of setup where you could watch the actual scoping on a TV monitor while you were having the procedure done. I find that kind of stuff fascinating and was sad to think I wouldn't remember it but by that time the meds were in my system. Well apparently they didn't give me much because not only do I clearly remember what I saw on the monitor but could recite at the follow up office visit the exact steps taken. The doctor was shocked.

I have been given Versed two other times for surgery and it did erase all memory while inside the operating room. The second time I clearly asked that I NOT be given the drug but they gave it to me anyhow. I was not a happy camper when I found that out. Grrrr.

Oh well, moving on...

I received an email from a gal who has lurked at the KT for a long time. She wanted to pass along this message.

***
I read your message this morning about your vocal chords and reflux. Last August my husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. We were stunned needless to say and very surprised when we found out that the type of cancer he has, adenocarcinoma, is caused by a condition called Barrett's Esophagus which is caused by acid reflux. He didn't suffer from reflux like many people do, but the Dr. said that it could happen at night when he was asleep. I am not trying to scare you but I am trying to make people aware of this cancer as it is on the rise in the U.S. Would you consider putting the message on the KT, I feel like you are all my friends? If not I understand since you don't know me at all. For more information one of the best sites I have found go to the link below.

VW

***

Thanks for the info VW. I know I was visually checked for any lesions that might indicate cancer but with the exception of swelling and redness on my vocal cords due to the irritation from reflux, everything looked good. And apparently because I experienced so little discomfort, the doctor was able to scope quite a ways down my throat.

Jodi-

Here is a link that might be useful: Esophageal cancer info