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

I'm too scared of endoscopy side effects, should I still do it ?

Posted , 18 users are following.

Lavender_Blue
Lavender_Blue

Hello,

I'm new to the forums but I've been reading a lot of discussions about this subject but I can't shake the feeling that something might go wrong during the procedure or after!

I'm a 21 years old female (I live in France) and I've never had this procedure done before but I've been feeling sick for at least 6 months (it all started back in beginning of July after I vomitted violently in the morning because I ate too fast and I was scared for an exam) and I immediately felt my throat was burning and I started having trouble breathing. I've done many tests for my lungs since that day and they all were normal.So I started to think that it might have something to do with the oesophagus and reflux. 

My symptoms are:

-sometimes pain on the right side of the upper chest (associated with a pain in my back but not always)

-difficulty filling my lungs with air as if I had asthma

- reflux (not always acid, sometimes it's just what I eat that makes its way back up)

- hiccups and burps everytime I eat or drink something

-chest tightening after eating and when I wake up in the morning

My doctor sayed it would be better for me if I did the endoscopy so I said I would do it and I also chose the local anesthatic over the general anesthesia because I want to be aware of what happens and also because I would like to be able to resume working right after.

I've done a lot of research and what scares me the most about the endoscopy isn't the procedure itself but rather the side effects that may potentially result from it. I'm sorry if this sounds stupid but I can't help being terrified that these will happen to me:

-allergic reaction to the local anesthetic product 

-heart issues (I'm not sure why this can happen!)

-breathing issues

-I'm also scared of choking with my saliva when my throat will be numbed

-coughing blood in the days after the procedure

-infections 

-throat ache and not being able to swallow normally anymore

-irritation of my oesophagus or even perforation in the worst case scenario

Does anyone know what might cause these potential side effects and who are the people who are the most at risk ? 

Is it common to see appeat some side effects even days or weeks after the procedure ? Does the anesthesia have an effect on the heart (heart rate for example) ? 

Thanks!

 

0 likes, 117 replies

117 Replies

Prev Next
  • carole90410
    carole90410 Lavender_Blue

    Posted

    Hi robin. I'm in my 50s also and yes in the UK. I don't know if

    hpylori is diagnosed straight away or whether you have to wait. I wasn't offered a breath test but got told they will check for it

    during the scope. Yes I did see on here someone else with the

    scope on 29th. Looks like it's very popular......not ! It's become a family joke with me that they always know when I'm around because they can hear me clearing my throat on and off!

    • Roberta1111
      Roberta1111 carole90410

      Posted

      Yes they can see hypylori in the stomach.I live in Canada and was told that the UK doesn't do the same tests has us.

      They are simple , you blow in a straw and bag drink some luiqid and wait for 30 mins blow in a straw again . Much simpler then a scope and 99.9% accurate.

      Me too I am in the store and my daughter is looking for me so I cough and she can find me.lol

      My thought about doing the scope no sedation is my constant coughing or clearing my throat.

      I mentioned I will decide on sedation when I go to the hospital.

      Curious to see if you have options on sedation, also if coughing is a bother.

      I asked your age because I was told my issues with coughing and nausea could be hormonal?

      My scope I rescheduled 2x due to being out of the country.

      Well it's probably early there I hope your getting some sleep.

      My thoughts are with you smile

      Robin

    • Lavender_Blue
      Lavender_Blue carole90410

      Posted

      Before going for the procedure I had also done the H Pylori breath test (in an attempt to avoid the endoscopy!) and it came back normal.

      I believe that is why my doctor didn't take any biopsies, because I had shown him the results. I think doing that test beforehand is a good thing if you want to avoid unnecessary biopsies.

  • carole90410
    carole90410 Lavender_Blue

    Posted

    Haha Lee. I get where you are coming from, honestly I do. Just a bit scared of Having Sedation. I guess because I'm very anxious and scared, sedation would be the better option for me but really not keen . Will decide for definite when I get there and have

    talked to the nurses.

  • carole90410
    carole90410 Lavender_Blue

    Posted

    By the way, just to add, this is my fourth attempt to go get this

    done as I gave cancelled 3 times now over the last 3 weeks so it's going to take everything I've got to get me in there !!

  • lee12629
    lee12629 Lavender_Blue

    Posted

    I feel if the sedation helps why not go for it. Why put yourself through all the extra anxiety. Twilite sedation,and thats the term to ask for does not put you fully out,you still can follow comands,you just are in la la land. Lol
    • carole90410
      carole90410 lee12629

      Posted

      Hi Lee. Yes I totally agree with you . I would have loved being

      in la la land at that time lol ! It's a very personal thing

      for each of us. I decided last minute to go for the throat spray and I'm glad I did, but not everyone has the same experience.

      If I had to have it again then I would do the same thing. Each to their own I guess. Reading people's comments on this site

      definitely helped me to come to my decision today particularly as I changed my mind. Really want to say thank you to all who commented on my post and I wish you all the best of health

      for a long time to come xx

  • chardier110507
    chardier110507 Lavender_Blue

    Posted

    I Have MY ENDOSCOPY ON MONDAY AND IM SOO SCARED OF THE ANESTHESIA OF HOW IS IT GONNA GOO ANYBODY THATS BEEN THERE PLEASEE HELPP
    • Roberta1111
      Roberta1111 chardier110507

      Posted

      Hi Chardier

      I know it's a scary thought I told you I am having mine on Tuesdsy.

      I went to see my dr last week to explain my fears. He assured me that I can be present and calm meditate while I do the scope with the spray. If I can't do this they can do the sedation then.

      He said the sedative is not long lasting and won't leave permanent feelings on you after that day. It relaxes you and it's over before you know it. Your still aware of what's going on just relaxed and not fighting it.

      I decided not to be brave or a Hero... I will get the sedative and chill from now until Tuesday for its making me crazy 😓.

      I hope this helps ... let me know on Monday how it went for you.

      Robin xx

    • chardier110507
      chardier110507 Roberta1111

      Posted

      Hey robin

      Well they called me yesterday from the hospital and i asked about the sedation if i could stay awake i just dont want them too put me too sleep and they said they have too or if not im going too be gagging alot so they cant do their job

    • Roberta1111
      Roberta1111 chardier110507

      Posted

      Wow..... Yes I heard you gag a lot but my dr said him and the nurses will calm me down and walk me through it. Yes it's harder for them to do their job but it's your body they are use to it.

      It's just more relaxing and less stressful event and it's so short your not asleep for long... it's fast acting. Sure you can't drive yourself or go back to work but what is one day to take for you and relax knowing that they finally able to go inside and see what's up.

      I'm feeling that your hospital isn't keeping your best interest, why can't you decide when you get there? I am at my local hospital too , well I live in a big city it's a large reputable hospital not a small one.

      So what did you tell them.... From what I hear you and I will look back and say why was I making such an ordeal 😊

    • chardier110507
      chardier110507 Roberta1111

      Posted

      Well its my local hospital and yea maybe your right cause i have family that have done it and he says its nothing he has even drove himself back home you but not all bodies act the same too a certain anesthesia but yea i love in florida in deerfield beach Where Are you ?
    • carole90410
      carole90410 chardier110507

      Posted

      Hi carder

      I have also been speaking to Robin about this. I was in the same state as you but I had mine two days ago. We are encouraged here to nit have sedation but I was definitely going to be sedated. After reading some comments on here and other blogs I went in to talk to the endoscopy and he explained what was going to happen. Everyone is different but I ended up changing my mind and I went without sedation. Just didn't like the idea of being not in control so I went for the throat spray which wasn't as bad as i

      thought. No gagging and you can still breathe and swallow. After about 5 minutes they lay me down and told me every step of the way what he was doing. 2 swallows and it was down. No

      gagging still. It was over and done in 4 minutes and they talked me through it. I breathed when they said and swallowed when

      asked. He then told me he was taking the tube out and he did this very carefully. I gagged once as it came out but I was shocked at how quick it was and for me I was glad that I didn't have sedation. But it's not for everyone. Good luck with yours x

    • carole90410
      carole90410

      Posted

      Sorry about your name. Predictive texting gone wrong lol !
    • Roberta1111
      Roberta1111 chardier110507

      Posted

      Hi Chardier

      I see Carole has replied with her experience she has been very soothing for me. She was very anxious like us, doing non sedation.

      I might change my mind too but I feel I just want to relax and sleep. I have a lot of coughing going on with me and right now I am coming down with flu symptoms so I want to just sleep while they do it smile

      She felt it not has stressful has she thought, Lavendar blue also had it with no sedation and was nervous too.

      There are people that had both ways and felt sedation is the way to go.

      My daughter had one for celiac last year with the same dr and was sedated. Said everyone was so kind and compassionate. She has a real bad gag reflex so sedation to her was the only way .

      Even though we all give our thoughts you have to do what you feel is right for you , if you follow your heart it will be a good experience.

      Why are you having this done please remind me.

      I am in Vancouver , Canada smile

      I am here if you want to talk we are on the west coast so 3 hours behind you 😊

      Robin

    • chardier110507
      chardier110507 Roberta1111

      Posted

      Robin

      Im having because ive had acid reflux for a while now like 1 years and a half soo they want too make sure its that but i dont know it just panics me cause i feel soo many symptoms i get bad headaches too but im also stress about not knowing whats going on with my stomach u know im only 22 and i have too take omeprazole 2 a day

    • Roberta1111
      Roberta1111 carole90410

      Posted

      Hi Csrole

      Did you ever worry about having a Barretts esophageal with your chronic cough?

      Did your dr ever address this with a concern of you constant throat clearing?

      Was wondering how your doing after a few days now that you have had your scope, how is your cough since the scope?

      R

    • Roberta1111
      Roberta1111

      Posted

      Ooops Carole your name was not spell checked correctly sad
    • Roberta1111
      Roberta1111 chardier110507

      Posted

      I'm sorry to hear that your so young and having these issues.I know that it is stressful I'm older and worry still so it doesn't matter how old we are.

      I cough a lot and have acid reflux I hope it's just that and not Barretts Esophagealsad

      I did have a scope at my ENT dr Oct 1 of last year and he said my nose throat and vocal cords are great. I was only numbed and watched itsmile

      Do you cough at all with your reflux?

      Have you decided if you will do with no scope or you said you have no choice ?

      R

    • josh0093
      josh0093 chardier110507

      Posted

      Good luck with the test!

      Let us know how it goes. Hoping for positive results, stay strong and don't worry I'm sure it's nothing serious cheesygrin

Back to top
Prev Next

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.