About gall stones

Hello everyone,
I am the scared newbie that was nervous about procedures including a
flush. Remember me?
I went to the gastroenterologist last week and he is not convinced
the pain I experience is gall bladder related. I do have stones, but
they might not be what is causing the pain. He wants me to have an
endoscopy, and it is scheduled for next Monday. It might be
esophogus or stomach pain I am having. I am panic-stricken. I know
they give an IV that induces semi-sleep, and has an amnesia affect,
but I am so nervous. Has anyone else out there had an endoscopy
before? Can you help to ease my fears? I am most panicky about not
being able to breathe out of my mouth when the tube is down my throat
(I have allergies, what if my nose is stuffed?). Doc said I will be
able to but I am still concerned. The doc also said he would have me
bite on a plastic device then slide the tube in and have me swallow

it. Did you find this difficult? Gagging reflex? Painful? Could
you feel anything?
I’m so nervous I am considering postponing.
Also, during an unrelated CBC last week, I was told my AST level is
slightly up (to 45, where 35 is max normal). This indicates
something in the liver. I am having it redone on 5/11. I’ve been
taking NSAIDS and some herbal PMS remedy that might have affected the
count and have discontinued use for the next blood draw. But I also
read gall stones could cause the elevation. Have any of you had an
elevated AST level?
Thanks for any help you can offer…
Elisa
p.s I told him about this group and your success with flushes. He is
not opposed, and thinks anything that might help is worth a try. I
asked him if he could tell by looking at my xrays (etc) if there was
a possibility of any stones shifting as a result of a flush, causing
them to give me problems. Naturally he told me he could not tell…