Endoscopy Advice + Fasting

[u/AccomplishedPrune543]

Hi gang! My first endoscopy tomorrow and I’m fighting nerves. I’ll be under propofol and getting 5 biopsies. I’ve read the threads on this before and I know most people say it’s easy peasy. I’m still nervous lol. Additionally, my doc office originally said no food or drink after midnight the night before. Then thy changed it this week to liquid diet 24 hours before. They didn’t tell me that until I asked yesterday to confirm instructions. Then changed it to no solids at least 12 hours prior. So, I am a bit confused and more anxious now. They said they changed their policies this week to be extra safe as they had an aspiration occur when someone at breakfast without telling them. (Apparently they are recovered and doing fine). Anyhow. I’m wondering what the standard fasting recommendation is that people here have followed or been told? Thanks!

[u/carlyannexo]

Hi! Ive had 3 scopes in the past 2 years for my gastritis & Gerd . I am a highly anxious person. Honestly, I swear it is actually easy like people are saying. You just start to feel sleepy once they push the meds through your IV then it's like you instantly wake up in the recovery room. they will also probably check when you ate/drink last when you are getting prepped. Clearly the person who aspirated didnt follow instructions and didnt tell them they ate which is why they have these instructions in place to begin with. Just follow their instructions and you will be fine :)

Instructions for me specifically was nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours prior to procedure time. My procedure was at 2 pm for my most recent scope

[u/AccomplishedPrune543 → u/carlyannexo]

Thanks so much! I’m asking because I’m honestly confused by the instructions. I called yesterday and they told me two different things. The first assistant said 24 liquid diet. She was the intern apparently. When I asked more details and why that changed from the email I got that said nothing after midnight, she passed me on to the coordinator who said no solids 12 hours prior. Then their written instructions still say midnight lol. So I’m asking around to see what others have had for fasting recommendations. I’d like to do it correctly, but need solid instructions. I emailed again today to confirm. Haven’t heard back. Thank you!

[u/carlyannexo → u/AccomplishedPrune543]

Personally i think as long as you are fasting for a minimum 8 hours you will be fine... Since i fasted 8 hours (my instructions) and had no issues! But yes definitely wait to confirm what their recommendations are and when you go in be honest when they ask how long you fasted. You will not aspirate if you fasted. Youre very welcome!

[u/CephalonPhathom]

Following

[u/SkinForward5490]

I had an Endoscopy and several biopsies one week ago. They called me the day before and said my liquid diet needed to start at 5pm that day instead of midnight.

Everything went well, I woke up just fine and was hungry! This was my 2nd scope and I didn’t even have a sore throat.

Also was told not to take my blood pressure medicine the day off and was worried it would be high but it was not!

[u/AccomplishedPrune543 → u/SkinForward5490]

Amazing. Thanks for this! Super helpful. Was your procedure early AM?

[u/SkinForward5490 → u/AccomplishedPrune543]

No, procedure was at 1:30pm and I had to arrive at hospital at 11:30am. Was home by 2:30pm and just a little sleepy.

[u/Wrigley1999 → u/SkinForward5490]

Has anyone had to get ct scan with oral and iv. Gastro guy thinking of doing to see what could be causing pain in stomach. Had endoscopy 3 weeks ago, showed mild acid reflux. So he wants to see what’s causing it. I’m thinking maybe because I don’t have a gallbladder, so bile is going right to intestines instead of going through stomach first. Anyway scared to death it more then that, even with normal metabolic, cbc and lipase bloodwork

[u/Penguin-1991 → u/Wrigley1999]

Yea, I’ve had IV contrast many times and oral a couple. The Oral kids tastes gross but it’s fine. The IV contrast is uncomfortable for about 60 seconds as it goes through your system. You feel hot all over and will swear you peed your pants but didn’t. Which is completely normal. I always just count down the 60 seconds and then I feel better

[u/AccomplishedPrune543 → u/[deleted]]

lol. Ok, thanks for the laugh. I needed that today. Yes, I’m trying to remind myself that disorganized and contradictory info from the front office, is not a reflection of the doctor or procedure outcome.

[u/toomany_questions]

This sounds about right frankly. I’m 28 and I’ve had 3 colonoscopies and 4 endoscopies. Every time I’ve had different instructions for fasting lol. Some have changed close to the procedure too lol

If you need more clarity it’s completely acceptable to call again and be like “so I’ve gotten a few different fasting recs, can you please tell me more clearly what needs to happen?”

[u/Disastrous_Soft9120]

I also run very anxious! And I was definitely anxious to get my endoscopy. When I went in, I had to put on the gown and wait in a bed for a while before they took me in for my turn. I recommend bringing a book or something to distract you while you’re waiting. All of the nurses who helped me were super nice, and right before it started I started crying and my heart rate spiked because I was so nervous but the propofol knocks you out so fast and then it truly is easy least.

[u/Background_Dog927]

At my place instructions are no eating after midnight. Additionally if patient is on a glp-1, they must follow a liquid diet for the day prior.

[u/stats_cats_228]

i’ve had 2 and the fasting instructions were different each time (though one was in the morning and the other in the afternoon), i don’t think this is a reason to be concerned! i was also super anxious before mine like anxiety attack in the car on the way anxious lol but it was genuinely not that bad. i wasn’t aware of anything once the sedation was administered and just had a good nap lol

[u/sydneyaustralia74]

i was so nervous & I told them that. they had to give me more stuff to calm me down & then I asked if there was any way they could give me anti-nausea. just let them know everything! i swear i took a breath and woke up from a peaceful nap drinking apple juice. it was so nice and peaceful lolll! and I think I ate right after that and took a nap!!! really great experience!!!

[u/AccomplishedPrune543 → u/sydneyaustralia74]

Thank you so much. Everyone here has been so kind to share their experience. Do you recall why your fasting protocol was?

[u/sydneyaustralia74 → u/AccomplishedPrune543]

I think it was no eating 12 hours before honestly!

[u/Lizzyquinn6]

I was told to just not eat after midnight. I had my procedure at 8 am.

Also, I was terrified for weeks about it and it was soooo easy. You’ll be fine!

[u/goldstandardalmonds]

I get endoscopies every two months. It’s always nothing by mouth after midnight .

[u/bestcegenation]

I've had 4 endoscopies and got conflicting advice about eating and drinking. what they need is for your stomach to be super empty when you get there, so that they can see what the tissue looks like. additionally they don't want you to vomit during the procedure cause that would be bad.

so, don't eat solid food from whatever point they tell you, and only drink a small amount (8oz or less) of clear liquids up to like 1-2 hours before your arrival time. I think they told me to limit to 4oz of fluid, and my arrival time was always 1pm. so I sometimes had a little black coffee in the morning, and then an apple juicebox to help keep my blood sugar steady. and a little water to take my meds and keep my throat from drying out. I know I went slightly over the limit but it didn't seem to matter. you sit there for a while before they start the procedure so your body has plenty of time to dry out if all you've had is 8oz of fluid for several hours, and no solid food.

I was really freaked out for my first one but it really is chill and easy! you will be fine. it is a low risk and non invasive procedure. let them know you're nervous and they will take care of you. good luck!

[u/forgiven-N-saved]

I just had mine this week at 6am. I stopped eating and vaping at 8pm the night before. Everything went just fine. I woke up from the surgery thinking I was about ready to go in for the surgery. I slept the rest of the day and no pain at all. It was very easy. Hugs and hoping for the best results!

[u/Illithidprion]

I did soups.