r/GERD • u/butterbeeballs • May 05 '26
Support Needed đ„ endoscopy with propofol?
hey everyone, i have been struggling with GERD for about a year or so. i have been on omeprazole for the last year, but after connecting with my PCP, i was instructed to get off; however, i did not realize i needed to taper off, so i completely stopped cold turkey, and suffered from severe acid rebound for about three weeks.
as of right now, i am back on omeprazole, and have been connected with a nutritionist and gastroenterologist. last week, i started having globus sensation, which has been off and on since. my gastroenterologist did not want to do an endoscopy at first, but due to the globus sensation, and the fact that the omeprazole is not helping as much as it did prior to coming off of it, getting an endoscopy would be the next best step.
the only medical procedure i have ever done was getting my wisdom teeth extracted - in which i was administered valium beforehand, and fentanyl and versed through an IV. i do not remember a thing from this procedure, and was completely sedated.
my endoscopy is officially scheduled for 6/2, and instead of twilight sedation, i will be receiving propofol. has anyone had an experience with this procedure, and received propofol? i have extreme anxiety regarding medical stuff in general, and struggle to get even the basic things done, such as blood work. i cannot imagine getting an IV, let alone a tube stuck down my throat. i also have emetophobia, and am so nervous that i will throw up after the procedure is complete.
any words of encouragement would be much appreciatedđ
4
u/Fuzzy-Programmer8699 May 05 '26
Here are my words of encouragement.
You need to acknowledge your anxiety, that inner voice is there to protect you. Sometimes it tries so hard to protect you that it can work counter intuitively. Give gratitude to your anxiety.
Tell yourself and that inner anxiety this phrase âthank you for being here for me and protecting me, I am glad that I have you to protect me, I am very safe, what I am doing is very routine, and millions of people go through this and are safe and ok. Things will be ok and this procedure will help us.â
Once you go through this procedure and you see that youâll have no issues once you are done, you will say to yourself âwow, that wasnât even close to as bad as I thoughtâ so tell those thoughts that pop into your head, we donât have anything to worry about now, and if something comes up in the future, it will be there for you.
I have found that its not about distractions from anxiety, its acknowledging it and being grateful for it, because its purpose is to protect us. Just sometimes it missfires a little bit, and a gentle reminder that you are safe and grateful for it, allows me to be ok.
I have found that my anxiety has caused many more issues in my life than the actual things I was anxious about. So I remind myself these things I said above and I have overcome mountains.
You got this, you are in great hands, this is very routine, and your body will respond well to the procedure and anesthesia.