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Endoscopy can you breathe through mouth?

9 replies

Gogi1 · 02/10/2019 18:47

I'm having an endoscopy next week and I'm really anxious about it because I have a deviated septum and rhinitis which means I struggle to breathe through my nose (I basically have year round sysmptms of a cold from allergies.) can you still breath through your mouth when having this procedure? I'm definitely opting for sedation too as I can see myself having a panic attack

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TheMustressMhor · 02/10/2019 18:52

I've had loads of endoscopies and I also have a deviated septum.

I recommend that you have both the sedation and the spray to make your throat numb.

Definitely the best combination IME. And yes, you can breathe through your mouth. It isn't as bad as it seems.

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Gogi1 · 02/10/2019 19:10

Oh phewwww. I was really worried about not being able to breathe through my mouth. That's eased my thoughts on it.

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Mabelface · 02/10/2019 19:17

If you're sedated, you won't know a thing. My last memory was the sedative being injected, then waking up afterwards.

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NoSauce · 02/10/2019 20:18

Please don’t worry. You won’t know anything about it because of the sedation, until you’re back on the ward.

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LucieFurr · 02/10/2019 20:21

You can breathe through your mouth, but I would definitely recommend the sedation. I struggle even with sedation as I’m constantly gagging, but it seems like I’m in the minority.

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TheMustressMhor · 02/10/2019 23:30

I didn't find the sedation knocked me right out.

But it definitely helped to make the procedure bearable.

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WhatTiggersDoBest · 03/10/2019 00:44

I had an endoscopy and was offered nothing at all to help. My gag reflex was going non-stop, I was choking between vomits and I was feeling sick and violated for ages after so definitely take whatever they offer you! I know someone else who felt very little and watched hers on a screen (at a different hospital/different consultant) so definitely take all the things to make it easier on your body. I'm not trying to alarm you I'm trying to let you know what I know now, which is that it doesn't have to be the way mine was!

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IdblowJonSnow · 03/10/2019 01:04

I've had one this week. They offered the spray but I told them I wanted sedation and got it.
Definitely get the sedation! It's quick and not too bad. If I had to have one again I wouldn't worry next time but would get sedation again.
And you can breathe through your mouth.
Hope it goes well. The throat spray was the oddest thing and I felt like I couldn't swallow but didn't feel like I couldn't breathe or anything.