I was first told they'd put me to sleep. Now i'm told I will not be completely asleep. I'm scared and want to be knocked out.

Can they do this without me being awake and how much pain will I be in afterwards?

You need to calm down about all this. The PEG procedure is a no big deal.... There are several levels of anesthesia, just because you are not going to be deeply sedated, doesn't mean that you are going to feel pain, or for that matter even remember anything about the procedure. Perhaps you should call your doctors and ask for some premed anti-anxiety pill like diasepam etc. that you can take orally to tone things down some in your mind.

I'm trying hard to calm down. Just reading your post made me cry.

I have to run in the other room just to cry so my father and daughter can't see me.

I just don't know how to calm down. I know this is sooo stupid of me and believe it or not, i'm usually a toughy.

I think i'm frightened of the unknown and some stuff I read here scares the hell outta me

Listen, Ann Marie - it's OK to cry - in fact it is therapeutic. Lots of very strong tough people have cried. It's definitely not stupid. And it's ok to feel compassion for yourself. It shows you are a compassionate person and have feelings for others, too. Just because you've read about some scary stuff, doesn't mean it will happen to you. You've probably heard about the "one day at a time" thing. . . . well sometimes you have to take it just five minutes at a time. Just tell yourself, you will allow 5 minutes for the scary feeling and then you will stop and go do something physical like toe touches. And DO IT! I really feel what you are going through but it will get better. The in between stage of not knowing exactly what is going to happen is so hard. But once you get into the fighting stage you will feel better and more in control of things. Hang in there, "life (does) go own" and it gets better.

How do you know if your tongue is affected. Do you feel funny on the tongue or something?

My throat seems to feel like it's more sore than usual. Feels like it's going down my throat more. I swollow ok, and I can still eat up a storm.

I just sent my doctor an email about that some premed anti-anxiety pill. Hopefully I'll hear something

Ann Marie...I can practically FEEL your anxiety, and I wish I could come and take you for a long walk and let you talk and cry to your heart's content. I'll bet that your dad and your daughter would understand if you did that too. Don't underestimate them! And remember this: they are afraid too.

Do you trust your doctors? If not, find other ones. If so, then let go and let them do their jobs. If you have made all of the decisions that are yours to make right now, then let it go......let it go...breathe deeply and accept it. You can't fight it. You can't change it, as much as you'd like to. The doctors and their staffs are not going to hurt you. The are in the business of taking care of sick, frightened people. They will be very careful with you. They said that they will not do full anaesthesia because the procedure doesn't require it, but you WILL be sedated. Have you ever had a colonoscopy, for example? You are sedated...you don't feel a thing,.....and you don't remember a single thing. It is over before you knew it began. That's the way this will be....NOT your problem! Just go to sleep......and let somebody else take care of you.

Give in and let others take care of you. Never give up your fighting spirit, but DO give up this anxiety over things you can't change.

I sometimes say to people, "Put on your calmness and patience like a garment." Visualize yourself slowing your heart rate, and slipping a garment of calmness over your head. Wear it and move through what you need to do.

All of this is head-talk. Do NOT hesitate to get some anti-anxiety medication from your doctor. I promise you that you are not the first to ask for it, and that it is not a sign of weakness. You need it, and I can promise you another thing or two: The doctor would rather that you be calm for him to do his best for you, and also, you will save your energy for coping and healing, instead of wasting it on anxiety about things you can't control

My heart goes out to you. Hang in there. You're gonna do fine, once you get started and have an idea of what will be going on. Stay close!!

Ann Marie,

I can only describe my own experience in which case I was put under general anesthesia for my PEG tube. I had to stay awake for part of it and they then put me under. I don't recall there really being any pain to speak of even though your stomach wall has been penetrated with the device. I just found the tube to be a general day to day nuisance but it was certainly a life saver. You will have to pay particular attention to proper cleaning and flushing of the tube and you will also go through a LOT of adhesive surgical type tape to keep it taped upright to your torso area.

Bill D.

Ann Marie, I was the ultimate crazy woman concerning the PEG, which was a complete and total waste of my energy. I seriously considered leaving town and changing my name.

Here is how it went. I put on a hospital gown, was rolled into a surgical suite, given an IV, and when I awoke I had a PEG. It was short acting sedation, and I felt fine after it quickly wore off. The PEG itself did not hurt, was just a little sore which Tylenol took care of. There was a little ooze for a couple of days, until things healed, but nothing major. The day after I got mine, I was out pulling up ivy that had grown where it was not wanted.

The PEG made getting through treatment so much easier because when my mouth was very sore, the drugs could go in via PEG. Along with food and water, of course.

Please trust me, the original freaked out woman, that this really is NOT a big deal!

August...what were you feeling yesterday?

I went for my PEG tube. I had called a few days ago asking for something to calm me dow, Doc says I don't need it. So with panic attacks, crying and trying to breathe in and out, all the way down yesterday, I finally get there.

My legs turned into rubber when I got there, but I made it. I made it fine through the needle thing. Told the lady no residents were doing me because i panic with needles. They were very understanding.

They whell me in and all along i'm telling them I need to be as close to knocked out as possible.

I know a few of you gave me sites to check out, but not having the time to read them with that care of my dad, I need quick answers. With that in mind, I WAS NOT aware they put a tube down your throat while you're awake.

NOT A GOOD THING TO FIND OUT WHEN ON TABLE!!!

No drugs in me they tell me this is what they're doing. I don't think so!I got very panicy. My blood pressure is usually 100/70 and it went to 147/?. The nurse asks...are you nervious? Well, duh?

The doctor asks me to give it a try. I happened to look to my left and saw the THing they were gonna put down me and I freaked. I said the only way that thing is going down is if you knock me out. So i'm waiting to be re-scheduled.

This is imbarrassing, but I was orally raped years ago, and that's where my panic comes from. I had a hard time just with the scope going up my nose, but coped with it because it was a difference site.

I have read where there are people who have gone through this with no PEG tube. I'm thinking that's the was to go for me. I'm 5'1" and weigh 217lbs. I eat everything under the sun. I could stand to lose some weight, so i'm thinking I'll bypass the PEG tube.