DD having endoscopy under GA next friday - any tips?

My dd is having an endoscopy to see why she still has ongoing reflux at almost 3 years of age (will be 3 end sept). The gastro paed who is doing the surgery suspects allergic esophigitis. He thinks that she breast milk colitis as a young baby and this is what has/is causing her reflux as she is healthy is every other way. She complains of her tummy hurting (multiple times a day) and "yucky bits" in her throat. She has been on zantac, losec and now nexium to try and control the reflux and while it helps (esp with sleeping) it has only ever taken the edge off.

Iknow it is only day surgery and she will prob only be under the GA for about 20 mins but it still scares me as she is so young. What did you tell your child when they were going to hospital as I am scared this could traumatise her. When she wakes up what should I do? If she starts crying when they are prepping her what can I do to help. I am so anxious about it all, we really need some answers, so I know it is necessary to continue and try and get her healed.

I haven't had to have my child go through this, but I had to go in as a little kid. I just remember my mum staying with me in the room while they did the prep, also make sure you ask for a pillow And a blanket so she is comfortable first. I remember them giving that to me (obviously they take it away after) and I felt ok because I was cosy. Also I remember my grandmother bribing me with getting a Barbie doll after if I was brave lol...

Hope everything goes ok and they get some answers for you

X

The key things I told my DD (who was 4) and have explained to any small child is:

The Dr's need your help to blow up a special party balloon (which is the gas they use to send them off to sleep)
When you're asleep, the Dr's are going to give you a special magic straw in your hand. It's very important not to play with this because it is magic. If you need special medicine, they will give it to you through the magic straw. (Most will put a bandage around the IV for kids).
When you're asleep, the Dr's will use a special camera to look in your tummy. But it won't hurt and you won't even know!

Other tips - send her special teddy/blankie.
Dress he in button up top as some places don't make little kids get changed
Take plenty of entertainment (for both of you!).
If she starts to cry, try and keep calm. Some kids won't partake in the blowing up the balloon theory - but if you cuddle them or stroke their hair and sing a fav song, they will stay still enough for someone (sometimes they let Mum/Dad do it) to hold the mask near their face until they drift off to sleep.
Keep in mind that one of the reactions of the gas is that patients twitch a little. Totally normal.

One of the drugs used has what is called an amnesic property. Which means you don't remember much (if anything) about going off to sleep or waking up. 75% of patients don't remember anything about the day at all. Although my monkey can tell me everything up to the point she fell asleep and everything from when I took her IV out (perk of being a nurse and having worked in that recovery room). DD lost about an hour in total from her memory.

To help avoid traumatizing her, we told her if she was well behaved, she could pick any balloon she wanted from the gift shop on the way home. Which she did. And we let her have McDonald's on the way home because she wouldn't eat in recovery.

It will be ok. Feel free to ask specific questions if you have them.

MG

Jade not lo.g had a ga for grommets she hasnt had any trauma from the day that i can tell. I just reassured her mummy would b there & so would dr georgie (who shed met several times). Going under was so quick she was on my lap, cuddle then mask on & within 30seconds she was u.der, i laid her on the bed with her blankie, they assured me theyd look after her. I gave her a kiss & was ushered out in tears i went & sooked in the loo for a while & not long later they called me in. The worst was coming out of the ga she was screaming mummy mummy mummy & throwing herself about on the bed crying etc, just burst into more tears & held her they got me a chair & i had her on my lap for 15 mi.s then we went to recovery. I think the whole things worse for us than them. Not sure on the endoscopy but thats my ga experience. Hugs hun

My DD2 (20mths old) had a gastroscopy last month to investigate her reflux, and she did really great. It was probably easier because she's that bit younger, but I went into theatre with her & stayed until she was asleep, then waited in the parents room until they phoned us to come to recovery (whole process took about 20min). When we got there she was lying quietly on the bed looking around, they gave her cheese & crackers and she had some milk, then we all went home after 1/2hr. Much less of a drama than living with reflux.


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JaCaMa - can I ask what a gastroscopy is? and what did they find out about your DD's reflux?

A gastroscopy is a scope (camera) that is used to look into the stomach. I work in endoscopy so if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

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Tell her that she is going to have a lovely sleepy. Mummy will be with her the whole time (as you are there when they go to sleep and there when they wake in recovery). Tell her she'll get jelly and ice cream after her sleep. You won't have to stay more than two hours after if she eats and drinks ;)

Bskilner- is there much difference between a gastroscopy and an endoscopy? and will they be able to tell straight away from the endoscope what is causing the reflux? i.e. allergies? etcetc Do you think the doc will talk to me afterwards to tell me what he thinks?

Endoscopy is a term to cover the different procedures they do. A gastroscopy is via the mouth, a colonoscopy via the rectum.

They usually need to take small biopsies (about the size of a pin head) of the area for an accurate diagnosis. These results can take 1-2 weeks to come back. Some endoscopists (the dr doing the procedure) will make a preliminary diagnosis without these results.

Most drs will speak to you very briefly after to let you know what they think but don't be concerned of they don't.

I hope you get all the answers for her reflux. The advice from everyone has been great and I don't have much to add except wishing you both all the best for a trouble free day. I agree that I think it is worse for us than them. Just think of getting her through each bit and not showing her that you are upset or worried (hard I know). Let us know how you go.

What mg said, endoscopy is a term used to describe the field of medicine and gastroscopy/colonoscopy etc are the procedures. They will be able to tell you if its caused by a hiatus hernia or other anatomical issue, or might require sending of a biopsy for viewing. They might give you a brief overview afterwards. But usually gp into more details and answer any questions at a specialist appt. Hope that helps.

Good luck with everything, and know that we will be thinking of you and your DD.

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Razzberry - Sorry hun I've only just seen your questions. What Mother Goose said perfectly describes the differences between names of the procedures :)

Unfortunately for us, the gastroscopy didn't give any immediate answers nor did the biopsies. At least we know there is no anatomical abnormalities, and the Losec is working so that's a positive.





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DD was great today - a real trooper! However the scope showed her oesophagus looking pristine, he is not sure if this is because she is on nexium for her reflux at the moment or something else, so waiting for the biopsy. He also said her aorta is a bit different to most people and it is very close to her oesophagus so this could be the cause of her symptoms !! gahhh so frustrating, just want some solid answers and solutions to why my dd is in pain!

Ahh Razz that would be so tough to see her in pain for so long. Hope they can sort it out soon :hug:

Glad she went well, they are always stronger than we think. Hope the biopsy shows something, but only something minor. Thinking of you, hugs.

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I'm glad your DD took it in her stride. Must've been a big relief. I hope you get some answers

Yay! Glad it all went well Razzberry. I hope the biopsy gives you some answers :)


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