1. Community
  2. Tests and investigations
  3. Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Endoscopy looming.....

Posted , 5 users are following.

janet23303
janet23303

I am due to have an endoscopy on 1st July and I am really nervous about this. I wish they could put me to sleep but I know they can't do this. Has anyone had this recently that could put me at ease please? Thanks so much.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Barretts
    Barretts janet23303

    Posted

    I know endoscopies can appear quite worrying when you haven't had one. You should be able to have sedation. It is not anaesthetic but you may go to sleep and will probably not remember it.

    I have had numerous scopes over the last 22 years. Unfortunately, I am one of the few for whom sedation deosn't work so am always fully conscious.

    Just focus on the breathing and try and remain calm. It will all be over very quickly.

    Good luck.

    • RHGB
      RHGB Barretts

      Posted

      When you say sedation doesn't work for you, could you elaborate on that?

      I ask, because I have a gastroscopy tomorrow with sedation. I have a terrible gag reflex and even have trouble swallowing pills with a glass of water.

      Over the last two years I have been in and out of hospital having had just about every procedure known to man (I was even in on Saturday having an abdomen ultrasound) and I can do pain, needles pretty much everything else, but a reflex is not something you can really control.

      I am concerned that all the sedation will do is immobilise me, but I will feel all of the trauma.

    • Barretts
      Barretts RHGB

      Posted

      Sedation just relaes you and makes you feel drowsy. It works for the vast majority of people. Following te procedure you won't remember it.

      I am one of the unlucky few for whom for some reason it has no effect and remain wide wake and cogent throughout. However, I'm a rare case but manage with just the throat spray - which many others opt for, the advantage being I don't need an escort after the procedure (you can't drive or operate machinery after sedation).

    • RHGB
      RHGB Barretts

      Posted

      I believe I had sedation prior to an op many years ago. I was lying on the hospital bed, it made me feel woozy, but in no way was I not totally aware of the surroundings and what was going on. I was chatting with the other patients in the ward. It was only when I got up to go to the toilet (before they called me for the op and GA) that my legs almost gave way under me. But once I sat back down on the bed, I was fine and conscious.
  • noonoo57
    noonoo57 janet23303

    Posted

    Hello Janet,

    When you see the nurse initially ask them for sedation, I had  my 4th one recently and I knew nothing about it, you don't remember any aspect of the actual procedure. Ok they put a blood pressure cuff on you and a finger pulse clip to monitor you during the procedure. They will possibly just spray the back of your throat which is Banana flavoured, slightly bitter at first but only a few seconds. It's all very quick. It's normal to feel a little anxious but please don't worry. They are really caring and make you feel at ease. It can be be all over in 5-10 minutes, if they take any biopsies it's another 5 minutes. 

    Best of luck and relax, don't work yourself up beforehand as it will be for nothing.

    Take care and report back to let us know how you get on.

    love Nicola. X🤓

    • janet23303
      janet23303 noonoo57

      Posted

      Hi Nicola

      Thanks so much for your comment. You've made me feel much better x

  • michelle83257
    michelle83257 janet23303

    Posted

    Hi Janet, i had one done on tuesday. i was like you ,i was literally having severe panic attacks over it. I can't even remember getting it done now, i was completely knocked out, so please don't worry yourself sick about it as it only makes your symptoms worse, you'll be absolutely fine.

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.