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My unsedated upper endoscopy - you can do it

Posted , 3 users are following.

Zach
Zach

I had an unsedated upper endoscopy today in the US (where people are almost always sedated). Beforehand I was so scared that I cancelled four times, and was terribly preoccupied. But when I finally did it I wanted to kick myself for putting it off. It's very manageable. You can avoid gagging if you don't swallow, and even if you do gag (as I did when I made the mistake of swallowing) it's nothing like being sick or hung over - it's not that uncomfortable and isn't frightening. So don't be concerned that you will just gag uncontrollably - you can totally control what happens, and if you stay calm you will thank yourself for the clearheaded day that follows!

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • john19480
    john19480 Zach

    Posted

    When the physician inserted the endoscope into your throat did the gag reflex eventually subside or did it persist until the scope was removed? What did it feel like? I am thinking about doing it without sedation and would appreciate knowing what it is llike regarding the gag reflex.

    Thank you

    • Zach
      Zach john19480

      Posted

      The gag feeling generally only exists when you try to swallow. The urge to swallow is there the whole time, because it is reflexive to swallow when you feel the endoscope. The endoscope is not painful, but you can feel pressure through the numbing medication. At the end of the day, I knew that swallowing would make me gag, but the gagging wasn't that bad with an empty stomach and a numb throat, so I made the trade off a few times. If I had to do it again, I would do it without sedation, because it is a very short procedure, and because I would have the rest of the day with a clear head. The most important consideration in my mind would be whether or not the physician performing the procedure was comfortable doing it without sedation. If so I would do it without sedation for sure.
    • john19480
      john19480 Zach

      Posted

      Thank you for your experience. I think I will do it without sedation because I don't lose the rest of the day recovering.
  • john19480
    john19480 Zach

    Posted

    Thank you for your candid and reassuring comments.

    I will be having this procedure in the near future and plan on an unsedated event.

    Perhaps you can comment on the effectiveness of the throat spray and the duration of the probe in your throat.

    Regards.

  • john19480
    john19480 Zach

    Posted

    Zach,

    What was the duration (minutes) of the procedure?

    Thank you

    John

    • Zach
      Zach john19480

      Posted

      Between two and three minutes. However, they did not take any biopsies during my procedure. I think it can last slightly longer they do, but it is very short.
    • john19480
      john19480 Zach

      Posted

      Thank you Zach for your answer. That makes me feel less anzious. I am confident I can stand two or three minutes without biopsies.
  • J001
    J001 Zach

    Posted

    Hello Zach,

    Thank you much for your helpful post!  I also live in the US and have been searching for a GI who is willing to perform an endoscopy without sedation. I need to have one done, but I do not wish to be sedated. Would you be willing to send me  any contact information about the clinic where the endoscopy was performed? Thank you kindly.

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