Endoscopy NO Sedation

I'm 70 and had an endoscopy, with three biopsies, this morning, without sedation but with the throat spray - I certainly didn't want the rest of my day ruined by recovery from sedation.

If you relax, and concentrate on breathing slowly and deeply, then the procedure is not too unpleasant. I think I gagged twice after the tube had been inserted, and I could feel a nip when the biopsies were taken. I was surprised that the tube was quite thick, but realise it needs space for the biopsy tool as well. However, all things considered, the procedure was done efficiently, with discomfort kept to a minimum. 

If I ever need it again, I will definitely go the same, no-sedation, route.

I don't think anybody on here realises how badly severe anxiety and panic really is. I hear be brave etc, you won't feel a thing etc, you won't remember etc. Please don't judge those who can't tolerate it.

I've put with pain and difficulty eating for years and avoided having it done in any shape or form for because I'm so terrified.

I have an extremely strong gag reflex and the simple act of brushing my teeth daily is bad enough. So many times I end up vomiting doing so. Using a small brush helped at first but is now becoming increasingly intolerable.

What am I supposed to do, not brush at all? I don't want rotten teeth. So I struggle on alone as nobody seems to understand nor be able to help me. I hate having this problem, I've tried so hard with it for so long.

I've had other procedures done which were barbaric considering which century we're in! The diazepam and gas and air didn't help at all.

I will have to be completely unconscious if they're coming anywhere near my throat with whatever it is.

Had gastroscopy a few weeks ago together with colonoscopy (which failed and had to be redone). Was told I would have light sedation and, sure enough, they injected 2mg of midazolam and some pethidine (I weigh 73kg). However, the endoscopist was clearly in a hurry as literally 20-30 seconds after injecting me he said "well you've had the throat spray - that's the most important thing" and then started the procedure. It was the vilest thing that's ever happened to me and I had flashbacks for 2 days after. I gagged throughout. He kept telling me to swallow but I couldn't as my mouth was wedged open. The scope was the diameter of a hose-pipe. Eventually I raised my arm to try to have the procedure aborted but the assistant held me down with his body weight. Once it was finally over (and to be fair it took less than 5 minutes but I had no way of knowing it wouldn't take longer) no one asked if I was Ok. They simply told me I had a hiatus hernia and no tumour in my duodenum and spun the bed round to start the colonoscopy. I have since complained (NHS patient contracted out to private hospital) to be told that I misremembered, that there were 5 minutes between receiving the sedative and the procedure and that no one held me down. This is despite (a) it being clearly documented on the procedure report that the only medication was throat spray and (b) the nurse in recovery afterwards asking sotto voce if the endoscopist had "upset me" as the theatre nurse told her that he had. A friend of mine in healthcare complaints said that gastroscopy complaint letters always get this standard response.

Never again. I hope you all have better experiences but if not, please complain. Only if we all complain can we try to persuade endoscopists to practise humanely. There is no excuse for this in the 21st century.

Well done for sticking up for yourself and glad it went so well.

I don't think that there are many medical professionals who are intentionally unkind or inconsiderate but there are too many who don't appreciate the stress involved for patients for whom the procedures are totally unfamiliar and apprehension is almost inevitable.

I think also that not enough weight is given to individual differences. When you were given time the drugs worked for you. It's not enough to be academically highly qualified; people skills matter, too.