Endoscopy next week - how long were you there?

[suzyq63]

Alison is scheduled for her endoscopy on July 3. I know that the actual endoscopy only takes a few minutes. But approximately how long were you there from arrival to discharge? We have to be there at 6:30 a.m., which means we have to leave the house at 5:30 a.m. I don't expect any issues with bg because she always stays steady, unless the stress affects her. Is there anything I need to ask the hospital beforehand? Anything I need to think about? The endo is out of the country right now. Of course we'll have her backpack with all her supplies with us, including juice boxes and crackers, etc.

Alison's antigliadin antibodies were 18 (below 10 is normal) and she does carry one of the celiac genes, plus she is having some intestinal issues on and off but nothing affecting bg. I feel guilty for even saying it, but I almost hope they do find confirmation when they do the endoscopy since it seems likely that she will develop it someday if not already.

Thanks.

[MamaC]

Couple hours start to finish.

[WestinsMom]

I agree just two, two and a half hours....somewhere in that range.

[Lee]

I don't know - but I do want to say - good luck!

[LJS118]

It was a few hours, I don't remember specifically. When Ryan had it done I was actually asked to come into the procedure room because his blood sugars were really high and they weren't sure how to work his pump. He had both an endoscopy and colonoscopy so he was in there for an hour and a half(there were complications though). Just make sure they test him often. Also, be aware that coming out of the "twilight" sometimes kids gets emotional and cry because they don't know what the heck is going on.
Otherwise I can't think of anything else. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[suzyq63]

Thank you. I was figuring it would probably be a couple of hours total. Unless the stress of the situation messes up her bg, she should be fine then. Thankfully she's not stressed at all so far.

Thanks for the reminder about the sedation. Alison has had many MRIs with sedation over the years (benign brain tumor as a baby) and she's always been a "happy drunk" afterward. I think I'll ask what they are using for sedation. I plan on bringing one of my teenage sons with me just in case she's a little wobbly on her feet since she's too heavy for me to handle alone now.

[still..hopeful]

It takes longer for the registration and prep than it does the actual procedure. I think the endoscopy takes 45 minutes tops. I might would ask about some numbing cream for when they put the IV. Our endo gave us some cream called Lidocaine and Prilocaine. I think it may also be called Emla cream. You apply it to the procedure site 15-45 minutes before and it numbs the area. We use it anytime Alyssa has to have blood work done. Alyssa was starving when they brought her out because she had not eaten since the night before and they only wanted to give her sugar water at first to make sure she did not get sick. The dr pretty much told us she had celiac when he came out but he had to wait on the labs to say for sure. We left there and went and pigged out at Olive Garden since we wouldn't be able to after that.:(
Good luck.
Angie

[suzyq63]

I called the hospital and spoke with a nurse. They are using mac or mag? anesthesia. Supposedly it leaves them sleepy for most of the day so I'll definitely need help. They usually give kids a popsicle in recovery. They will order some sugar-free ones for her. I'm thinking that it should depend on her bg as to whether she gets a sugar-free one or regular one. She usually can't make it more than 3 or 3 1/2 hours after breakfast before going low. I guess we'll have to see how everything is going that day. She'll be in the OR about an hour, although the procedure isn't that long. Alison's honeymoon has been very good to us, so hopefully everything will go smoothly on Thursday!

[hrermgr]

We were at the hospital I think for 4 hours from start to finish. The procedure didn't take long at all (20 minutes from when T was wheeled in to when the dr came out) however it took a good hour and a half in recovery. They want to be sure your child is okay after being put under. Once home, T rested a lot. Affects of being put under!

[jcanolson]

We were there at 6:45. Endoscope at 7:45, and leaving pretty much as soon as she was conscious. They certainly don't encourage you to stay long. I think we were home by 9:15, and that was after a 30 minute drive. Nat was sleepy for about 2 hours, and then her normal self. We actually took her to Chuck E Cheese for games in the afternoon.

[bethdou]

We had to be at the hospital by 10; they took Michael into the procedure room at 12:15, and the doc was out by 12:30 to talk to us. He was in recovery for about an hour, and we were out the door by 2:00. He slept an hour or so after we got home, but was back to normal by dinnertime.

Good luck!

PS We were going to put EMLA on him for the IV, but the nurse told us they would give him the "gas" first and then start his IV after he was asleep. That worked really well, though he complained about it being sore for a couple of days - they used his hand, and appeared to have tried in 2 spots to get it going.

[amber3cs]

Cam has just had his endoscopy on wed(25th). It was scheduled for 1pm so he wasn't allowed to eat after 7am, we halved his morning protophane, he was allowed 150 ml of normal lemonade at 9am if he was under 8(144) over 8 he could have water but then nothing til after the procedure.

Our DNE asked us to come in at 10 am to monitor his bgls but she was fairly sure he would be high. luckily we did go in as by 11.45 he was low, it took nurses 10 mins to connect the glucose drip(he already had the thing in his hand). I was quite stressed by this stage but they got it done eventually.

We have given up on using emla as he hates the patch coming off more than the needle.The other cream they use he reacts to so we have been getting them to use a cold spray they have, which seems to work for us.

It only took about a minute or so to sedate him and about 5 to do the procedure. took a bit longer to bring him round and we stayed for about an hour and a half longer. Though he was running round the ward by this stage playing tag with some other boys!
Hope everything goes well for you all.
:cwds:

[funnygrl]

Almost 5 hours, but I had a hard time waking up. I kept throwing up, so they had to keep giving me zofran.

[suzyq63]

Thank you everybody! I guess we'll just have to see how it goes. I'll be sure to check Alison before sedation and when she gets to recovery. I'll have all her D supplies with me so that if they're not prepared, at least I will be (I think).

Fortunately she doesn't mind IVs too much.

I will be so glad to get this done. I just hope we'll get some definitive answers! Alison has lost another couple of pounds for a total of 9 pounds since April. Maybe it's just a coincidence but that seems like a lot to lose. Fortunately those 9 pounds were pretty much extra pounds, but there's very little extra weight, if any, left now.

[zimbie45]

Ours was really quick and simple.. Mostly waiting befor the procedure, and very little afterward,.. Our experiance was simply got there at 5:30 am, registered, back to the area waited they got her prepped, adn we checked bs a few times. they took her and me to the procedure room.. showed us where and what, I left, 15 min later doc was out.. They did gas her befor the iv, ( just like bethdou son) all in all it went well.. After ward was a peice of cake too.. SO tummy irriation or food adversions at all.. She went right back to eating normally.. Good luck

[dragonfly]

I've had 2. One while breast feeding so that was my concern on how long could I be away from my "pump" ;) I was there around 6. Had my procedure at 7. Was having juice and toast by 8 and talking to the doctor about the results. They kicked me out around 9.

[bz'smom]

I don't know - but I do want to say - good luck!


Me, too! Sending you & Alyssa hugs!

[hawkeyegirl]

Just wanted to send along my best wishes - hope everything goes smoothly!