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Nasal Endoscopy vs Gastroscopy

Posted , 11 users are following.

AmandaFA
AmandaFA

Hi,

Has anyone had any of these procedures, or if you've had both which would you say was the best?  I am due to have a Gastroscopy in a couple of weeks but I am not sure to try and have a nasal one done instead as I am worried about breathing, panicing, gagging etc!  I'd rather have more pain then the breakting/gagging issues!

Thank you!

 

3 likes, 37 replies

37 Replies

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  • anita03601
    anita03601 AmandaFA

    Posted

    Hi Amanda,

    I have had both a nasal one and one down the throat and much preferred the endoscopy one. The spray that they put up your nose was something that I didn't like at all but everyone is different.

    When I had my endoscopy I had sedation and can remembering gagging a few times but it's like you are dreaming it. After that I can't remember a thing until I came to in the ward.

    What I found unpleasant others might not it's upto you in the end.

    • AmandaFA
      AmandaFA anita03601

      Posted

      Hi Anita,

      Thanks for getting back to me.  What was the spray up your nose like?  Does it hurt at the tube goes through your nose?

      Thanks,

      Amanda.

       

    • anita03601
      anita03601 AmandaFA

      Posted

      The spray up the nose isn't very pleasant. it makes your eyes run but the tube down the nose is ok. I was busy watching it on the screen and didn't feel a thing. If you have it done that way do not put ypur head down once they have squirted it up the nose as they had to do it again.
    • tammy16555
      tammy16555 AmandaFA

      Posted

      Endoscopy is the way to go- you don't remember a thing (for me anyway) when they do the procedure they go through your mouth not your nose-

      I've had to procudre called the Manometry study "swallow study" they have you awake and numb your nose and go down into your stomach.. you have to swallow with water to get it down and it's the worst "I gaged for awhile" the back of my nose is small- the stuff they have you snort down- made me gag too... No fun.. they are talking about having me do the Manomerty again.. I'm not excited; just had the Endoscopy 2/21/15..

    • AmandaFA
      AmandaFA anita03601

      Posted

      Hi Anita,

      Thanks for getting back to me.  It is more than likely going to be the camera down which I am dreading but will be opting for sedation and I am having it done privately this time so hoping for a better experience that way.  I am deading it but looking forward to getting it out of the way at the same time, as I need to get some results to see whats wrong as I am still on a liquid diet and that is getting to me now.

      Thanks again.

      A.

       

    • AmandaFA
      AmandaFA tammy16555

      Posted

      Hi Tammy,

      Thanks for replying.  I will definitely be asking for sedation as I am really nervous about it.  I have had a few colonoscopyies and that didn't bother me, I am just dreading this but it needs to be done to see what is wrong as I am suffering with bad acid refulx at the moment even though I have been on medication for a while so the need to see what is going on so they can get me sorted out!  I dont' like the sound of the Manometry either but if it helps the diagnosis and gets us better then hopefully it will all be worth it, kind of anyway!

      Thanks,

      A.

       

    • anita03601
      anita03601 AmandaFA

      Posted

      When you have had it you will wonder what you got yourself worked up so much about. I had a phobia about this procedure and it was fine. My stomach was a bit unsettled for a few days afterwards but soon settled down. Have some peppermint tea when you get home to help with the trapped wind from the air they pump in.
    • AmandaFA
      AmandaFA anita03601

      Posted

      Hi Anita,

      Yes I hope so, its just the thought of it all!  I need to have it done though as I can't carry on the way I am and the only bonus is that I have lost alot of weight.

      Thanks for your help.

      I will keep in touch.

      Amanda.

       

  • nfa
    nfa AmandaFA

    Posted

    Hi Amanda,

    I also have had both types.

    I am a bit surprised that you seem to have a choice. 

    It seems to me that the gastric physicians prefer to use the endoscopy via the throat; whilst the ENT specialists usually use the nasal route.

    I gain the impression that it is usually standard to have an endoscopy via the throat initially, with a referral for a scope via the nasal route if there are felt to be some symptoms in the larynx/pharynx or nasal passages.

    If you already have been offered an appointment does the appointment letter give you someone like a nurse practitioner you can contact to discuss things with? Actually, regardless, phone the endoscopy team and ask if you can opt to have sedation (not ALL units do provide that, some only offering an anaesthetic spray).

    If you can have sedation, if you go for an endoscopy via the throat, the endoscopist will see you before the procedure to talk to you; sign the consents etc., Let them know you are nervous about the procedure, especially about gagging, and ask if they can be "generous" with the sedation! I was "out" for both my last two edoscopies before they even put the scope in my mouth, and have no memory until coming round afterwards.

    Some units use a sedative together with fentanyl, which is an opiate which adds to the sedation and is also a very effective pain management drug so you feel virtually nothing afterwards if the scope has made the throat a little sore.

    Like you, I was VERY nervous when I was referred for a scope by an ENT specialist, as I knew they would do the procedure without sedation. In fact the doctor was brilliant at doing those, and the scope was much narrower than the one they use down the throat. Hardly any discomfort, and no gagging at all.

    Where would you be having either procedure? The doctors who do these procedures, and the Unit staff, are very expert, and realise that the patients are quite worried about the procedure. If you find it hard to ask for yourself, do you have a relative, partner or friend who could talk to the endoscopy unit on your behalf to raise your concerns?

    Do have the procedure as you will feel relieved to know how things are and endoscopy really is the very best way to see what is going on.

    Let us know what you decide and how you get on. Either way should not be a horrendous experience, though the anticipation is pretty horrid!

    Best wishes.

    • AmandaFA
      AmandaFA nfa

      Posted

      Hi,

      Many thanks for replying.  I will definitely be asking for sedation.  They ideally want to do a gastrocopy through my mouth so I will just have to try and get on with it.  I am just really nervous about it.  I will see if they will sedate me before I enter the camera room as that is when my nerves will kick it.  Its really hard because I am dreading it but really want it done too as I am sick of being on a liquid only diet now and want to get to the bottom of what is wrong!  I will be having my procedure done at a private hospital near my home as I have opted to go private this time so save waiting around and hoping that I will get a better level of care but we will see.  I will call the doctors secretary up before I have it done and make sure that I will get proper sedation before I go in as I just need something to take the edge off before I even enter the room!  Like you say its the best test to have done in these type of thing and I really want it done its just the though of going through with it.  How long did you procedure last?  Its good that you were out for yours as I would like that too!  I was just thinking if I could have it down my nose instead I would at least have my mouth free to be able to control it all through breating etc, I was worried with the gastroscopy having the mouth guard in and the tube down that it might be harder to breath etc and that is what panics me?

      Thanks for your help and advice.

      Amanda.

       

    • nfa
      nfa AmandaFA

      Posted

      Amanda, 

      Thanks for your reply.

      I doubt that they would sedate you before you go into the procedure room, (but they might as you are going privately). They usually like the patient to get on to the procedure table/bed under their own "steam", and if you were sedated in another room they would need staff to transfer you. However, there is no harm in asking.

      They usually inject the sedative just before they start the endoscopy. The sedation works very quickly.

      They probably will want to put the mouth guard in before the sedation "kicks in", as they need to check it is positioned correctly in your mouth, and where your teeth are biting on the guard to help keep it in position.They will also put an oxygen flow pipe under your nose, and a blood pressure monitor.

      You should be able to breath without any problem at all. I found the "secret" is to breath through the mouth, not the nose. One then gets plenty of air, and it seems to help keep the route into the throat open and relaxed; thus less risk of any gagging. However, the endoscopy team will advise you on what they think is the best way to breath etc., I would then hope that the sedation will kick in just after the mouth guard is placed, and that will be your last memory.

      I think one is sedated for about 30 minutes, but coming round takes awhile, but is not at all an unpleasant experience. Sedation affects people differently, but I would think you should be "ready to go" about 2 hours after the sedation. Obviously the nursing staff monitor you and only let you go once they feel you have recovered enough.

      As I mentioned before, I would not hesitate to ask your Consultant's secretary if you could talk to one of the endoscopy  team  to talk through how they handle the sedation etc., and whether any of your requests can be accommodated. I found two NHS hospitals I have been to very happy to talk to me before I went for the procedure, so I would expect a private hospital to do that for you.

      I do not mean to sound a "bossy boots", but I would suggest you write down the concerns or points you would like to discuss, as it is easy to forget to raise points if some one 'phones you. You will then be sure you have covered all the points you want.

      I would do the same about any concerns you have about your health. Are there any particular points you would hope the endoscopy will look at, and you would like some "feedback" on? 

      Be prepared for the endoscopy not showing anything specific! That can also be quite frustrating, as you know you still have the symptoms and are not feeling well.

      Hope this helps a bit. I do feel talking to one of your endoscopy team beforehand will reassure you alot, but one does feel anxious about the procedure and the uncertainty of what the endoscopy might find, or not.

      Anyway, hope it all goes well.

      Happy to respond to any other questions you have. Otherwise do let us know how it all goes.

      All good wishes, nfa

  • wknight
    wknight AmandaFA

    Posted

    I have had an endoscopy twice now and each time via sedation and I knew absolutely nothing about it, no gagging etc  and no pain afterwards. So don't worry and no point being brave when they can sedate you. I asked a friend to take me home as I wasn't allowed to drive afterwards.

    I have also had tubes put though my nose and it wasn't that pleasant although the nurse was great.

    • AmandaFA
      AmandaFA wknight

      Posted

      Hi,

      Thanks for replying.  Thanks for the reassurance that you knew nothing about it, I am going to hope for that too!  I will definitely be opting for sedation and lots of it if they will give it!  I have got a friend coming with me so that they can take me home later.  What was you like for the rest of the day afterwards, did you just go home to rest and feel sleeping maybe?

      Thanks,

      Amanda.

       

  • anita03601
    anita03601 AmandaFA

    Posted

    Honest you will be fine. This was the procedure that I feared the most having done and it was ok. After also having a colonoscopy done this is a piece of cake. I wouldn't worry if I have to have it done again.
    • AmandaFA
      AmandaFA anita03601

      Posted

      Thanks Anita.  I have had colonoscopies and been fine with them but am dreading this one.  Thanks for your help and advice. Amanda x

       

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