Endoscopy
Posted , 8 users are following.
I'm having an endoscopy tomorrow and I'm so worried! Should i go for sedation? I really don't know what to do! Please help and tell me it will be ok 😪
0 likes, 18 replies
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Notes on Endoscopy
BettyE muss79
Posted
I wouldn't presume to tell you what to do because you are you and I am me!
Because my hangups are anaesthetic related (They terrify me ) I chose to go without sedation and it was absolutely fine. The staff said I was their easiest patient that morning.
The sensation of swallowing the camera ( remember, it's not a Kodak Brownie ) is that same as swallowing a piece of dry bread. I can swallow quite large pills without gagging. Can you?
I remember I asked the nurse to just keep talking to me. She would have, anyway, I think, but it is reassuring to know what's going on and pleasantly distracting to have a human voice to listen to. I had also been given an explanatory leaflet. If, like me, you are a " have to know" person this is useful. If, though you are " I don't want to know" then I think the sedation is a better option.
Hope that helps and best of luck.
muss79 BettyE
Posted
Thankyou Betty! I have had gastritis symptoms for 5 weeks now...all blood tests are normal...CT scan was normal and now I'm having this endoscopy tomorrow...im taking esomprazole and ranitidine.i could probably have it done without sedation but My anxiety levels are very high these days so i was thinking of sedation during the procedure just in case i start panicking 😥
QTCinderella BettyE
Posted
Hi Betty,
Are you from America by chance? I have my endoscopy tomorrow and am absolutely terrified of the sedation. I haven't been able to sleep all week. I called and talked to two different receptionists and they said they never do it without sedation! 😭😭😭 I really don't want sedation. Any advice?
Pumpkin1510 QTCinderella
Posted
I have had 2 endoscopies done, both times without sedation. The first time was a bit more difficult as I wasn't prepared for the gagging, I knew there would be some but I didn't know how much. I had my second one just over a week ago, this time I was more prepared, concentrated on breathing in and out through the mouth and it was over and done with in less than 5 minutes with minimal gagging this time. The longest part was waiting, my appointment was at 10.30 and I wasn't taken til 12.25. Ironically I think the delay was in part due to the amount of people having sedation. Each to their own but I personally would not have sedation, just go for the throat spray. Good luck!
muss79 QTCinderella
Posted
Hi
I was terrified just like you before the endoscopy...i would definitely recommend sedation...didn't feel a thing! It was only for 5 minutes...you will be fine...just relax :-)
BettyE QTCinderella
Posted
No, I'm in Norfolk, UK.
It seems a bit high handed for doctors to have a blanket rule here when there is plenty of evidence that, for many people, sedation is entirely unnecessary. How persuasive can you be? Would you be prepared to ask the doctor to consider just giving you the throat spray? I have found that a calm polite query usually gets a sympathetic hearing.
Best of luck. Hope it all goes well.
RHGB muss79
Posted
I second that. It is not like a GA, it is a sedative and you recover quickly from it. You don't feel a thing.
julie73220 muss79
Posted
muss79 julie73220
Posted
RHGB muss79
Posted
I went to the hospital (I am a regular visitor) and went and had a look at the scopes beforehand. They are not small, if you have any sort of gag refle or you auffer from anxiety, I would suggest sedation.
muss79 RHGB
Posted
RHGB muss79
Posted
Absolutely fine, although some people react differently. But remember, this is a sedative not a general anaesthetic. I asked for an extra dosage because I am 6'2"+ and I have a real gag reflex and know there is no way that pipe would go down my throat awake.
They stuck a cannula in my hand and then soon after they syringed the sedative, the last thing I remember was the syringe going into the cannula.
Next thing I knew, I felt the trolley moving and the bang as the trolley hit the swing doors to open them. I was taken to the recovery room and I was walking about in 2 minutes, most people were taking a little longer. After another couple of minutes, I was given a glass of water. Because that stayed down, I was shown to a room and given tea and biscuits.
5 minutes later, a nurse took me the 10ft to the exit and upon seeing my wife, left me to go home. I felt fine, no sedative after effects and no sore throat etc. The main thing for me was, I did not want to be awake when they tried to stick that pipe down my throat, it isn't a tiny tube, it is quite thick.
muss79 RHGB
Posted
Pumpkin1510 muss79
Posted
I had my first endoscopy about 8 weeks ago, they found a short hiatus hernia and a tiny ulcer caused by acid reflux due to the hernia. When they said I had to go back for another scope I could have cried because my gag went into overdrive. I am back next Friday for my repeat scope and I am dreading it, however I will still do it without sedation as right after the procedure I could leave and I was on the train going back home within 45 minutes. It's not pleasant but it's over in 5 minutes. If you get the sedation you will be there for a longer period of time, you also need someone with you and for 24 hours afterwards. That said you may find you just can't cope and need something to take the edge off. It's really up to you. I underestimated how unpleasant it would be but it wasn't horrific.
muss79
Posted
Thankyou so much for your help! I'm going to go for sedation as I'm very anxious and depressed 😥