Gastroscopy experiences

[newmumshelley]

Evening all

I was booked in for a gastroscopy yesterday morning, I went in there expecting to be “lightly sedated” but they talked me into just having gas and air... let me tell you it did F all and the whole procedure had to be abandoned because I couldn’t tolerate it.

I’ve now been rebooked for the procedure in a months time WITH sedation... Has anyone got any (good!) experiences with sedation they can share please? The whole thing was honestly awful I feel scarred for life and such a tw*t that I couldn’t do it :( Utterly terrified of having it done again

Thank you

[TodaysFishIsTroutALaCreme]

I had sedation last week for mine. I remember a grand total of about 90 seconds of the procedure. I am so glad I had it.

[newmumshelley]

Gah I wish I had just persisted with the sedation... honestly it was far worse than child birth haha.

[itsme7]

I had sedation a couple of weeks ago. I remember it wasn't exactly pleasant but that's about it. You can do it - think of the tea and biscuits afterwards

[Egghead68]

At least they abandoned yours. They just held me down for mine!

[newmumshelley]

Oh god you poor thing, that must’ve been horrendous

[CherryMaple]

Whoops - posted in error here. Sorry. Have asked for my posts to be deleted. Sorry all

[justilou1]

I had both ends done under sedation on Monday and don’t remember a thing. I wouldn’t consider any other way!!!

[Toomboom]

I had a failed one a couple of years ago due to lack of sedation --- even though I had told them that I wanted it, even on the day of the appointment. . Their lack of care and understanding really upset me. They did try to hold me down, but I managed to get them to stop. It totally freaked me out!

Today I have a gastroscopy and colonoscopy booked, but this is being done under general anesthetic as there is no way I can through with it otherwise. It has taken 6 months to get this appointment as the NHS are very reluctant to do these procedures under a GA due to costs. But there was just no way I could go through with it with just sedation and the experience I had last time. I have fantastic consultant who really understands this fear
@newmumshelley good luck for your rescheduled one. Tell every healthcare worker who deal with you that you want proper sedation. I have found by telling everyone, they do finally start to listen.

[Egghead68]

Their lack of care and understanding really upset me

Ditto. They just seemed to be in a rush to get me processed and out of there (although the recovery nurse whispered that the nurse in the room had told her what had gone on and tried to apologise to me). I made a complaint but it fell on deaf ears ("I must have misremembered").

[itsme7]

I was surprised too Maple - had to wait a bit afterwards to be picked up because of the sedation and they left the basket near me. What else is a girl to do

[milkjetmum]

Just emphasize to anaesthetist about last experience and ask them to sedate you to the max. Also refuse to let them start if you are still too alert!

I have had my last two under sedation (after a traumatic first two) and don't remember a thing about them. So it can be done without distress. Good luck

[newmumshelley]

Thanks everyone. Sorry so many people have had bad experiences. The nurses were so lovely in mine I must say but the doctor was pretty awful, she kept saying and saying “this isn’t a punishment you don’t have to have it done” and “other people are waiting” which probably wound me up further. She also said I could request it under general anaesthetic in the future but this is usually reserved for children and the disabled so there’s a long waiting list... way to make me feel more like a nob lol :(

Definitely going to make sure they know about my previous experience next time and tell them I need the biggest dose of sedative possible...!!

[Egghead68]

Also refuse to let them start if you are still too alert!

and hope they don't pin you down anyway...

[Borntobeamum]

I’ve had 2 failed attempts but other symptoms pointed to possible cancer so I ended up with a CT colonography which did actually show cancer. After surgery, my consultant really wanted to try another colonoscopy and did it himself. He had a paediatric scope on standby in case I couldn’t tolerate the regions. He gave me a paracetamol drip first, and then the maximum sedation allowed. He was actually able to use the regular scope and was able to see the whole bowel including his previous sewing handiwork.
Sedation all the way. Good luck x x x

[Borntobeamum]

Regions = Regular 🤦‍♀️

[labazsisgoingmad]

ive had quite a few of these and the ones for the bowel i always insist on sedation one minute you are lying there vaguely feel the tube going down but not in a bad way its almost like you are floating above it all like its happening to someone else. then you are coming round much better

[Mummyjsa]

I had one a few weeks ago with sedation and just woke up after. I didn’t even know it had happened.