Has anyone had the camera up the nose thing?

[Reredos]

Having one is a few days time to suss out why I have had a sore throat for six months. I also have major sinus problems.

I know that it goes up the nose and down to the back of the throat. I know it is a legalised form of torture and I shall be boaking, wriggling, gagging and probably crying too.

What I NEEEEED to know is do they go in slowly, millimetres at a time and just keep feeding it in once they have looked at a bit or do they shove it in quick and then pull it out whilst looking at whatever they need to see.

Irrational I know, but I would rather they went in slowly and pulled it out quick.

Also, what can I do to try to relax during the procedure?

Thanks guys. I am trying to brave this out but I am the biggest wuss ever :(

[DishwasherDogs]

I had it done a few months ago.
It went in slowly while I breathed through my nose (or tried, it's usually blocked), they quickly saw what they needed to see then carefully took it out.
It felt slightly uncomfortable and stingy, but not too bad.
I had it done again 3 months later.
The worst bit for me was that I have a bit of a phobia of people touching my nose, so I was quite panicky about that and didn't really want to admit it . I did manage not to cry, but I'm not sure how!
I am a massive wuss too, but try not to worry, it's over very quickly

[Reredos]

Thank you. I am not so worried about the nose bit but I am sure I will gag violently when it hits the throat area. Does someone hold your head still so you don't move run away?

[DishwasherDogs]

Actually I couldn't feel that bit, it's a very thin tubey camera thingy.
It was a bit uncomfortable going through where the nose meets the mouth, and that's the only place I could feel it, it certainly didn't make me gag.

I had a nurse stand behind me. (She had to hold my hand too )

[SingSongSlummy]

It made me feel a bit panicky, but wasn't really painful or anything. If you don't get any joy from that examination, you should request the camera that goes straight down the throat as they tend to get a better deeper picture (particularly of the vocal cords). Good luck!

[Jbck]

Nurse held my hand, well I gripped her very tightly.
Wasn't too bad worst bit was going up nose and over once down throat was ok. They went up both nostrils but only down throat far the first time.
You'll be fine, I have a string gag reflex and didn't boak at all.

[CeriBerry]

I have had this done SO MANY times! It's seriously fine! Uncomfortable, but ok- it reaches a certain point and makes your eyes water quite a bit I find but after that it's ok, as I said uncomfortable especially when they move it around to see but no pain and by no means unbearable! Goes in quite quick- neither millimetre by millimetre or super fast!
Any questions feel free to PM me but honestly, it's absolutely fine!

[SingSongSlummy]

Oh and by the way, can you ask them to check for acid reflux as that's a major cause of your symptoms and you might not even know you have it.

[Reredos]

The nurse sounds nice!
How long does it take?

[MrsCosmopilite]

Had it done a few years back. It was a bit uncomfortable but not painful. My eyes watered, and I gagged but it only took a few minutes.

[stillwearingaredribbon]

I had a lovely nurse who was very reassuring
Slow and steady is how I would describe it. I watched on the screen and that distracted me. Not pleasant but not the worst thing ever

[Reredos]

in the last 6 months I have seen 7 GPs, three consultants, four nurse practitioners and had seven courses of antibiotics! I have had two throat swabs (clear) and none of them can work out what is wrong with my throat. In the last 3 months I have been diagnosed with Graves' disease (over active thyroid) and Coeliac disease. I had an endoscopy 3 months ago for the coeliac but they didn't mention anything about my throat or oesophagus but then they may have just headed straight down to the stomach. I had full sedation and don't remember a thing.

Someone at work mentioned reflux so I have been taking operamazole and gaviscon for the last week but there hasn't been any improvement. Shame as I thought that might be the answer as the pain is a burning sensation.

I guess I will just have to wait and see. Glad to hear no gagging is involved ;)

[Reredos]

An update for anyone who might search about this procedure.
I saw the ENT consultant this morning and had the camera up the nose thing! Firstly, they sprayed something up my nose saying that he would taste awful but it really didn't at all. I then sat back and shut my eyes while concentrating on my breathing (through my nose as directed) and I really didn't feel a thing. The consultant had warned that my eyes would water but they didn't. He did one nostril and then the other and that was it. I asked why he didn't put it down my throat and he said that he had done!
The diagnosis is acid reflux and it will take several weeks for the damage to heal but everything is fine.

So for anyone else who has to have this done, please don't worry like I did. It was so easy, although that may have been because of the numbing spray, so always ask for it.

[HelloItsMeFell]

This is very helpful, coincidentally i have been googling nasal endoscopy today, as I have recurrent/chronic sinus problems and I think this will be inevitable for me at some point. I just stumbled on this thread accidentally.

I get a gravelly, hoarse throat too, which I assume is the result of almost constant post nasal drip coupled with living in a dry dusty hot environment.

I am surprised that your diagnosis was acid reflux though, because that doesn't account for your sinus issues, only your throat problems.

Thanks for the reassurance on the procedure though.

[Reredos]

Hello Hello!

I'm not sure quite how they are connected but he gave the impression that they are. He saw a small polyp in my sinuses but said it was too small to worry about.
He prescribed a PPI and told me to avoid anything acidic, coffee and spicy food. He also said to sip water as often as possible to prevent the throat from drying out and to ensure that I don't ever try to clear my throat as that makes it sore. I should sip water instead. I wasn't even aware that I do clear my throat but my husband says that I do it often.
I would definitely recommend asking for an ENT referral as it really isn't anything to dread.

[HelloItsMeFell]

I clear my throat constantly - it's really irritating.

And it's interesting about spicy food because I find that within minutes of eating spicy food I become really bunged up. I was starting to wonder if I had an allergy to chilli or some other spice.

[Jbck]

Glad to hear it went well OP.

[Pinkrose1]

It's not very nice and took a couple of goes but I didn't gag. Try to focus on a point above the doctors head and zone out of what's going on in your nose. Works for me.