Afraid of dying during endoscopy

Posted , 5 users are following.

I'm 22 and I have an endoscopy on Thursday. I had one before and it went awful. I woke up in the middle of the procedure fighting.

I just got the leaflets that go through everything that could go wrong: death, gut perforation etc. and I am terrified.

I also have the beginning of a flu going on with post nasal drip so I'm worried about choking to death/suffocating during the procedure.

I was also told by the consultant to make sure to tell him to update the sedative so I don't wake up like the last time and am worried he might over dose me and I'm just making the procedure from before worse than it was.

Anyone else have these fears and got through it ok?

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Posted

    Have you considered doing it without sedation?When i had mine the biggest fear was not being totally aware and in control of my reactions

    I'm sure you will be fine this time round either way

    Try not to worry

  • Posted

    As suggested in the previous comment, go without sedation. They'll numb the back of your throat. The worst part is then swallowing the camera as it's hard to tell if you've managed it or not.

    You can't suffocate, remember it's going down your gullet not your windpipe.

    Had my second one in January of this year. No sedation, no problems. Sure it's not the most pleasant experience but it should only take around 5 minutes

  • Posted

    ( This was my reply a couple of days ago to someone else who had had an uncomfortable experience )

    "I hesitate to suggest this as we are all so different but did you consider no sedation?. That was my choice

    as I find the idea of not knowing what is happening frightening and I see that

    I was given an illustrated leaflet explaining the procedure which was reassuring. After the throat spray was given a minute to take effect I was told to stay as relaxed as possible and to swallow when told to. This felt to me like swallowing a lump of dry bread. I was then able to watch the picture on the screen."

    I see casiodan and Emma make the same suggestion.

    Also remember that all professionals have to be sure to make patients / clients aware of what could go wrong so sometimes the list can look scary. This is a very common procedure ; the risk is miniscule.

  • Posted

    I should have said this in my previous post, but if it starts to get too much you can raise a hand in the air and this essentially withdraws your consent and they'll stop and even remove the camera if you need them too.

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