Upper G.I endoscopy sedation

Hi Deb, I've seen you on another forum in this group but can't remember your details. Refresh my memory: you're not over 60, are you? And are you used to taking diazepam? And would 40mg of propranolol be your normal morning dose? (If you're regularly taking diazepam and propranolol, I assume this will be in your medical notes anyway.)

I'm asking because they only give a half-dose of sedation to the over-60s (over-65 in some hospitals), in which case you might get away with the diazepam. Also, if you're used to taking diazepam you'll have developed a high level of tolerance to it anyway. However, 15mg sounds on the high side, especially as the sedation they're going to give you is in the same group (benzodiazepines). I'd advise you to only take your normal morning dose - on the assumption this is prescribed for you.

I fully understand your panic and my heart goes out to you. I was exactly the same, although I was having the gastroscopy for a different reason. But, as a former nurse, I'd strongly advise you not to take any phenergan tomorrow morning. If you tell the doctors, they will probably refuse to sedate you or else give you a very small dose. If you don't tell them, and allow them to sedate you, you might be putting yourself in danger. Please don't do that. You could, however, take it this evening to help you sleep.

I know just how terrified you're feeling, but look at it this way - by this time tomorrow it will be all over. And the vast majority of patients under the age of 60 come out of the procedure without any recollection of it.

If you're having difficulty swallowing it really would be a good idea to look at the cause - which I'm guessing is only acid reflux, giving that they're going for gastroscopy rather than an ENT consultation. But acid reflux can be dangerous for the lining of the oesaphagus if it's allowed to go on for too long, so you need to get this properly diagnosed and treated.

Let me know how you got on.

I had an endoscopy late last year and I was absolutely terrified.  I'm a nervous person at the best of times and I wasn't looking forward to it one bit.  I always find that I'm worse during the lead up to something but am much calmer when I'm actually doing it.  My husband came with me and I appeared to be calm, even though I was quaking inside.  They called me into a small room, I was asked if I wanted sedation but I had decided that I didn't want it, mainly because you can't leave soon after.  It was explained to me what was going to happen, the doctor sprayed the back of my throat with something that he said was banana flavour (never had a banana that tasted like that) I lay on a bed on my side, the room was darkened and I was given a guard to put between my teeth. I could see the end of the endoscope coming towards me as it has a light on the end.  I was asked to swallow and I concentrated hard on doing that which made it a lot easier for it to go down. I controlled my breathing so it was slow and easy and heard the running commentary from the doctor about what he was doing, what he was seeing and when he took a couple of biopsies I didn't feel anything.  I was told that the endoscope was going to be taken out and it was only when the end got to my throat that I gagged once and it was all over. The doctor was so impressed with how calm I had been he said he should have done a video to show his other nervous patients!  I had spent the previous night in a terrible state and all for nothing.  As soon as I had had a drink to make sure I could swallow OK I went straight down to Devon for the weekend  Apart from a slight sore throat for a day there were no after effects.  The endoscopy found that the muscle at the top of my stomach wasn't closing properly (it was fascinating to actually see it on the screen) I was given a printed report and was told that although polyps had been found in my stomach they would be left alone, it's when they are in other places that they are treated.  Please believe that the endoscopy will NOT be as bad as you think it's going to be.  Let us know how you get on.