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From: Just a little nap...John C
Remote Name: 68.70.224.39
Date: 07/09/02
Time: 10:06:34 PM
Robyn -
Let's get grounded now back on earth. Now I have had generalized anxiety disorder and panic attacks for fifteen years, so I understand where you're coming from.
But my grandmother spent the last 25 years of her life worrying because she didn't want the embalmer to put cotton in her mouth after she died because she might suffocate!
That's where you come in. You are going to have a procedure that is done hundreds, probably thousands of times a day throughout this country. Some people even do it without any general anesthetic because they want to go back to work - you probably should NOT be in that group. :-)
I think the more you know about the procedure the better (not that you will care at all after the medicine starts working):
1.) They are sticking a tube down your throat at a time when you won't even be able to worry about it if you wanted to. Where, exactly is the cutting open part?
2.) The anesthetic that they use for this procedure acts as a brain-tranquilzer and memory impairer (the stuff that happens during and immediately after the procedure will be difficult to remember later) - they do not use a general muscle relaxant (this drug will not stop your heart or breathing).
3.) What better place is there if ANYTHING goes wrong than to be surrounded by a bunch of doctors and equipment in a hospital setting?
4.) For a little perspective: If I could trade my GERD for doing weekly endoscopies (without the sore throat later, of course) for the rest of my life, I would choose the weekly endoscopies.
Also, if you're trying to wean off Xanax, don't make any sudden moves on the dose and make sure you tell them about you're Xanax use, because they may need to adjust your medicine up or down depending on your last use.
Have a little fun with it. After your procedure, call some friends and family members on the phone and then talk to them later about how ridiculous you sounded. This is one of the earier things in life that you need to handle.
John C.