Good Morning Lovelies, 

When I went into the eating disorder unit I was placed on, I was put onto a diet that my stomach had not been used to for years. In fact, I was so affected by it that I lost weight instead of gaining it at first. Then came the stomach issues that made it very uncomfortable to eat at all. 

Upon speaking to a nurse on the ward, she instantly placed me onto Lactulose and for years after I was advised to keep taking it. I won’t lie, whilst it did do the thing it was supposed to for a while, it soon left me in agony too, as the medicine turned out to be too strong and upsetting for my stomach and IBS. 

It was only when my new GP reviewed my medication that I found this out and by this point the damage had been done. Living with chronic stomach aches, bloating and even at times bleeding, I was sent for a review of my stomach recently, which led to two endoscopy operations, with biopsies to be performed. 

Initially, I was only meant to have the one, but even after following all the guidelines, they found that my stomach wasn’t emptying quick enough and food blocked the best areas to get biopsies, with the ones that they could get being useless. This led to the second operation, which I had a week ago. 

Having had both of them now, I thought I would share my experience with you, as I know that there are a lot of scary things online surrounding endoscopy operations and the aftermath of them. Honestly though, and I know we are all different, you don’t need to worry. 

On the morning of my first operation, I had a small drink of water, before continuing to fast from the night before, until my appointment, which was at 2pm. My surgery was being done by Dr Ehab Abdelmalek and his team at Rivers Hospital in Sawbridgeworth, via the NHS funded gateway my GP had organised. 

Before I had the procedure, I had to have a stomach ultrasound, blood tests and a review with my consultant to help get the best outcome. Making my way onto the ward that day, I was taken to the endoscopy unit pretty quickly, where I was asked about any allergies and medical conditions I had. 

I was placed into my own bay and asked to slip on a gown over my clothes, which I had kept loose as I had read that I could be quite bloated afterwards. I was then asked whether I would like just numbing spray or sedation as well. Personally I didn’t mind, as I had had bronchoscopies before without the sedation, but the team advised that it may be best to be sedated, so I went with them. 

After having everything told to me, I went into a side room with my consultant, who explained everything he would be doing during the operation, before being taken into the room where it would happen. In the room, there was a nurse, an anesthetist and the doctor. All of whom were lovely to me and made me feel at ease. Popping on a blood pressure monitor and oxygen, the anesthetist then placed a cannula into my hand before spraying my throat with the number spray, which I needed a little bit more than normal, as it didn’t work the first time. This isn’t something to worry about though, as I am someone whose metabolism wears it off quickly no matter what the situation is. 

Turning me to lay on my side, facing the screen that would show the team the inside of my stomach, my consultant soon came over and placed the sedation into my hand. I had the minimum amount for my body weight but in no time at all I was under. All I remember before that was being told to hug myself. 

Around 10 minutes later, I was back on the ward and sleeping soundly for around 30 minutes, when I was woken up by a nurse. Explaining to me what had happened during the procedure, she told me that I would need it repeated due to my stomach not emptying enough, before grabbing my mum who was able to listen better than I was at that moment. I was quite drowsy still from the sedation, but the numbing had worn off, meaning I could have a drink of squash and if I had wanted some toast or biscuits too. 

After explaining that I would need to fast for the repeat procedure, I was given all the advice and information I needed and advised to rest at home for the remainder of the day, which I did, after a little walk with my mum. Throughout the night, I felt a little bloated and sore, but nothing painful at all. 

By the morning, the bloating had got a little worse, due to my stomach going into a minor IBS-C flare up. To help with this, I went for a longer walk and drank more water, which provided some relief. I was able to eat normally again though and wasn’t too bad by the evening. The following day, I was only bloated a little bit more than normal and any soreness that wasn’t normal was gone. 

The second procedure was very much the same, however, I had had to fast for this one. Something that scared me more than the operation itself due to other health matters. Yet, the team were on hand to help me through it every step of the way. Never once did I feel like I was a problem or a pain. I was never told that the questions I had were silly and I was never led to feel like the issues with my stomach were my own fault after the first operation. Even when I felt quilty that my stomach hadn’t emptied enough. 

Knowing now that the bloating comes from the damage that the medicine caused that the nurse put me on on the ED ward angers me. It makes me sad to think that all this pain could have been prevented. Yet, I am thankful that I have a team now who want to make me feel better. Who wants me to be able to eat and drink without feeling like I might explode. 

Without the endoscopy, which I would oddly do again if asked, as I didn’t feel a thing, I would not be in this place of working towards some relief and for that reason I would definitely say go for it if you have been advised to have one. With the right team and guidance, it can make a whole world of difference! Just follow your gut instinct lovelies! 

Joey X