Endoscopy fear

[wineandsunshine]

I think I need to brave this although I suffer with bad anxiety - tell me how bad it actually is please?!

[VLCos]

I had one recently ,without any sedation
I am not going to say it's pleasant it's a strange feeling but once the camera is down it's not to bad. The staff are lovely and reassuring and let you know when it's nearly over. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be!

[millymae]

Honestly I didnt find it bad at all, and I certainly wouldn't be worried if I had to have another. It was over and done really quickly.

When I had mine I had been very ill for several months with a whole host of vague symptoms and although I had not had any gastric problems the endoscopy was done as they were trying to rule possible causes out.

I'm not a particularly anxious person, don't have any problem swallowing tablets etc and don't like taking medication unless I absolutely have to so I chose to have it done without sedation, just the throat spray. I was called in to the room, my throat was sprayed, the doctor inserted the camera (really small), I swallowed and down it went. A lovely nurse held my hand, I honestly didn't feel a thing and the doctor reported on what he was seeing, which was nothing apart from a hiatus hernia which I didn't know I had and even now several years it has not caused me any trouble.

Once the camera was out I was offered tea and toast and allowed to go pretty quickly because I had no need to wait for the sedation to wear off.

It's easy for me to say I know but try not to worry - its a procedure that is done every day.

[digerd]

What part of your body are you having the endoscopy?

I have had only the gastric one into the stomach and the duodenum, twice.

You feel no pain at all.

I also had a light sedative to help with any anxiety.

[Sittingonthesofa]

I've had two. Everyone's experience is different but suffice to say it was pretty bad for me. Have the throat spray and as much sedative as they'll give you. Good luck.

[wineandsunshine]

Thankyou it's stomach - I've been suffering with indigestion problems for a while but I'm sure my anxiety flares it up too. GP mentioned this test on my last visit as the next step but I'm having palps just thinking about it 🙁

[BigBroIsWatching]

I had one for reflux symptoms etc. I had sedation and throat spray. I gagged when they pulled it out, but apart from that, it was ok. Very speedy although maybe it felt that way as I had the sedation. Just make sure someone can drive you home afterwards.

[Wolpertinger]

I had one with the throat spray - looking back, the throat spray was the worst bit and if I had to have one again, I'd have nothing.

I was considering sedation, but when I got to the waiting room, all the ladies there had had loads, including colonoscopies and were going without, so they convinced me. I'm glad I went without as it was easier after.

I'll be honest, I was glad it was over but all the staff were lovely and caring and it's over very very fast. And it was good knowing straight away what the result was.

[MollyHuaCha]

I've had this twice without sedation and survived. If you are worried, ask for light sedation. Get someone to drive you to and from hospital. It might help to think about the procedure in a different way - it's not a form of torture to get through, instead it's a pretty amazing feat of modern medicine for a doctor to be able to see inside the body and take a tiny (painless) tissue sample without cutting the skin. Wow, that's wonderful if you think about it Good luck x

[gobbin]

I had it without sedation. A friend said "open mouth as wide as possible and remember to keep breathing" which was good advice.

It wasn't at all painful, just felt a bit cluttered and crowded in my mouth. It was over in literally about 5 mins and I was home within 3/4 hr of having it done.

[Groovee]

I had one done this week down my nose. Only needed the anesthetic up my nose. Waited 10 minutes for it to work. Taken in and talked through it and I was able to watch on the screen. All done in 10 minutes. Had to sit for 30 minutes to check the numbness was all worn off. Then given water to drink before being offered tea. Then was free to go. Was heading home within an hour.

[panicovernow]

Have the throat spray it numbs the area and helps to reduce gag reflex. Make sure you have someone to take you home and you can have sedation. You will be aware of what's happening at the time but you may find that afterwards you won't remember it. It's generally a very quick procedure the main thing is to focus on your breathing and there will be a nurse right by your head talking to you, reassuring you, and to encourage you to take slow deep breaths. You can mouth or nose breathe. You may burp a little as air is used to inflate slightly for better views. It's not a nice experience but I think the majority of patients find it's not as bad as they feared. Good luck

[missyB1]

I had it with just the throat spray, my tip is to focus on counting in your head, worked great for me!

[charliebear78]

I had one last month,I was all set to have sedation but when I got there the Nurse talked me out of it-I agreed because I wanted to know what was seen as it was happening and be able to leave straight afterwards.

They take you to the room and give you a spray to the back of your throat-it will feel like when you are at the dentist and have your mouth numbed-this actually freaked me out a little because you cant even feel when your swallowing so it does feel odd.
They did have difficultly getting the camera down-I struggle to swallow a tablet lol!
However once it was down it just feels strange and like you cant breathe-but you can!
The Nurse was great-talking me through everything and stroking my hair.
It is over so quickly I can see the need not to bother with the sedation-however if I ever needed it again I think I would have this.

Good luck-it isnt nice and not something I want to repeat-BUT its not painful and is over in minutes! Plus it is amazing really and can help you with your symptoms so get it done ;)

[scarfaceace]

This was my greatest fear because I gag at the least little thing, and I was terrified.

The staff were lovely and reassuring, and let me have both the throat spray and the sedative. The last thing I remember is them putting something in my mouth, and the next I was waking up in the recovery area. Apparently they couldn't complete the procedure because I was gagging too much, but I don't remember anything. I would have no worries about having another one if I had to, and this from someone who was absolutely dreading it.

Hope that helps.