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Upper GI Endoscopy using spray only - DON'T WORRY!

Posted , 4 users are following.

suberman
suberman

I had an upper GI because food sometimes sticks when swallowing. I had been dreading this procedure and talking to friends who have had spray or sedation. I finally opted for the spray, as I did not want to be out of control of myself and my actions. What a good decision I made!

The spray (Xylocaine) was administered by the Consultant and I got a good squirt of it to the back of my throat. I got a strange sensation as I could not feel anything in this numb zone!

The nurse was fabulous and explained everything that was happening and was continually talking to me throughout the procedure. The main advice was to just concentrate on breathing and leave the rest to them - sound advice.

The one thing that they don't tell you - but I already knew - was that you can expect to gag as the endoscope goes past your gag reflex area. I gagged for England and it took about three goes to get the endoscope past this point. The difficulty for me was being told to swallow but being unable to feel anything and therefore not knowing whether I was swallowing or not.

It was not pleasant, but in no way was it painful at all, and the continual reassurance in my ear from the nurse was just what I needed.

Once the scope was past this point I could not feel a thing. A biopsy was taken and I felt nothing at all. At the end I was diagnosed with a hiatus hernia.

I would not choose to do this every day, but if you are worried about having this done, my advice to you is - DON'T BE!!!

It is a little unpleasant, but the whole thing was over in less than five minutes.

The effect of the spray took about 10 minutes to wear off, the nursing staff made sure I was OK and gave me a glass of water to drink and after that I was free to go.

I hope this helps anyone who is facing this procedure for the first time.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • ooops64
    ooops64

    Posted

    Thanks for this post. I am having my Gastroscopy tomorrow afternoon. Some people are saying have the sedation, while others are have said your not given enough to make it worthwhile. So your input is helpful.

    I have a strong gag reflex and have been trying to desensitize my throat ready for this procedure. I thought it would be better also if I can just have the spray, then after you do not have that awful groggy feeling.

    Thanks again very thoughtful.

    Maureen

  • Spindles
    Spindles

    Posted

    I agree with suberman, I had an endoscopy about a year ago and opted for the spray. I'm a terrible worrier so I wasn't looking forward to it one bit but it wasn't half as bad as I thought it would be. I opted for the spray as well and apart from the horrible taste for a few seconds there was nothing to it. I had been practicing putting my fingers down my throat to get used to it but you can't compare that with what actually happens. Very calmly they went through it step by step, I was asked to swallow which I did without one gag! It took about five minutes then I was told it would becoming out and I had one small gag and it was over. I waited about fifteen minutes and then went home. The doctor was so impressed with how I had handled it he even said he should have made a video to show other patients on how calm I was!
  • ooops64
    ooops64

    Posted

    Thanks to you too Spindles. I am really not looking forward to this at all, yes will try the fingers thing never thought of that. Hopefully I will find out what is causing my Gastro Reflux problems, I don't suppose they give you any information while your there ? That would be good rather than waiting a fortnight for a letter.

    Thanks again

  • suberman
    suberman

    Posted

    Hi ooops64. I got the diagnosis immediately from the consultant who had done the endoscopy, also a copy of the report being sent to my GP for me to keep. The speed, care and service could not have been better.

    Good luck tomorrow - I am sure you will be just fine!

    Don't forget -,concentrate on nice deep breaths and let them deal with everything else.

    • ooops64
      ooops64 suberman

      Posted

      Hi Sorry did not get back sooner, had family down for the week and I do not see my grandchildren  that often.

      Anyway my trip to the Gastrolagist was just the consultation, this information was not in the letter. He seems to think I have a Hernia and I have the procedure 15th May. So another wait to see what is causing my burning. Still on Ranitidine and chewing lots of gum (not Mastic though).

  • ooops64
    ooops64

    Posted

    Thanks very much, feel more confident about tomorrow. I shall remember advise, shall get back to you after. smile

  • thumbo
    thumbo suberman

    Posted

    Had one on Thursady. Just the spray; I wasn't even offered sedation! The nurse I spoke to before the procedure was great and mentioned that the consultant who would be performing the scope was head of upper GI medicine at the hospital and was very skilled at performing the procedure. This helped put my mind at ease and it wasn't long before I was being lead into the procedure room. The consultant ABSOLUTELY COATED my throat in the numbing spray and before I knew it the camera was at the back of my throat. It was all over before I knew it. It is not pleasent, I won't lie, but it is over quickly. I gagged/heaved at least half a dozen times; mostly when the doc was inflating my stomach with air. 
    • ooops64
      ooops64 thumbo

      Posted

      I am pleased you also found it, not too distressing. I think they realise, that it is daunting to know that you will be concious. But I found it helpful, to know what is going on in your oesophagus. Having had the problems for so many months, to actually be able to view the location of the problem yourself, and ask questions after. If your not fully consious you cannot. I had so much spray in my throat, (it tasted not so good) with short intervals between the sprays. I did not gag when swollowing the camera. The attention the nurses gave helped enormously, and the consiltant who did my procedure, was very aproachable. I started to gagged towards the end. I heard one of the staff mention quietly that, I had not gagged. I think perhaps,that is why I did at the end. They took 3 or 4 biopsies which felt like a sharp pinch no more. I agree not that pleasent. I was really glad, that I was able to walk out, vertually straight away. I was offered tea or coffee, while others, were being wheeled out, on stretchers, who had been  sedated..
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