Anyone had an endoscopy? Really anxious about mine

I've had a couple, I preferred having the throat spray over sedation.
You still gag with the sedation but you will be quite out if out.
The throat spray you don't get gagging, but you ate totally awake and can watch the screen if you fancy it.
No problems with recovery after

Take the sedation, and you will be fine OP. I was totally normal the next day.

I had one a few years back. I accepted sedation and was knocked out for a lot of it. Some of it inwas awake but wasn't too bothered about what was happening, very relaxed and now the memory is very very hazy

I had a lump in my neck, so I had one up my nose and down my throat.
I didn't read the letter properly, I turned up expecting them to have a feel/prod about and maybe a scan.
Tbh it was absolutely fine, wasn't uncomfortable, I didn't gag or anything, it was all rather calm.
I'm not very brave but it didn't phase me at all.
Good luck

I didn't really feel the camera going down my throat. I felt really embarrassed about the noises I made. Don't, they've seen/heard it all before.

Hoping it gets you a diagnosis and a way to go forward, mine has changed my life in a good way.

Good idea to go for sedation for your first one. Do ask a friend or neighbour to collect you. I wouldn’t have been able to make it to a taxi by myself, I was staggering and falling about laughing

I've had 2 without sedation. Ask to hold the hand of the nurse - that helped me. The whole process was explained as it was happening and over very quickly. Its uncomfortable but not painful.

I had one without sedation thinking it would be more convenient and I could drive home. If I needed one again I would take sedation and I recommend that you try to find some help so you can be sedated. Having said that it was very quick.

Mine couldn't on the day, so a neighbour collected me and walked me home, worth asking someone if not. I know I'd be happy to do it for any neighbour.

You will need to be collected for sedation not a taxi, can your DH and kids pick you up?

I've had one , no sedation, it was fine.
If you've had a colonoscopy with no problems you'll be fine.
However if you want the sedation can anyone look after the kids ? Is their Dad around ?

Definitely opt for sedation. I've had two without sedation and in the last one I almost punched the doctor in the face because I was panicking so much from the choking feeling (I have a very strong gag reflex)

Hello. The instructions they have sent you should have guidance about that.

in my experience though - I’ve had about 15 of these …:
sedation levels can be varied from
Very light to ‘knock you senseless’ and anywhere inbetween. You can discuss with the dr on the day to get the dose right for you and your circumstances.

you shouldn’t drive or operate machinery in the 24 hours after sedation so if you need to do
a drive for school drop ff you’d need an alternative.

i am Usually fine the day after. Sometimes a bit slower than usual but definitely ‘operational’ .

how you feel will be influenced by the dosage you are given and how fast you metabolise the drugs, and what time of day you have them.

• so a heavy dose for an afternoon procedure means you probably need someone else to do a morning school drop off the day after
• a light dose in the morning or lunchtime and you’d likely be absolutely fine the following day

but as I said talk to the dr on the day to see what they say. Lots of people are fine with just a little touch and gas and air.

good luck - it will be over before you know it !

I did. I wasn’t prepared to face it without sedation.
Sedation made it fine!! I was awake but high as a kite. I could hear my own body burping it was weird but I didn’t mind.

i would do it again. I was woozy for about 2 hours after and then completely myself

Take the sedation. I felt fine the next day. Don't think I drove, as I believe I was told I couldn't. But I was fine to look after my children. The sedation makes a big difference to how you cope with it.

Take the sedation. There’s no way i’d have one without. You just need someone to collect you. You’ll be fine the next day. I once went to see my son in a concert after having sedation in the morning. It had worn off by the evening.

Also it’s an ERCP you get pancreatits from, not a general endoscopy which you will be having. I had 10 ERCP’s and got acute pancreatitis 4 times but from the 10 plus basic endoscopy / EUS I never got pancreatitis, and I had a very inflamed pancreas anyway so much higher chance. I eventually had a whipple surgery so thankfully endoscopies / ERCP are in the past.

Much easier than a colonoscopy. Slightly uncomfortable when it goes down your throat but I found it fine and nothing to worry about

I have had 15 at least. EUS or ERCP as I have a damaged pancreas caused by a rogue gallstone. I was terrified during my first one, but with sedation I remembered very little. My later ones I had a light GA as due to strong painkillers thanks to pancreatitis the sedation stopped working. You’ll be fine, the sedation will ensure you’re out of it.

I had one around 4 weeks ago. I've had one before without sedation and couldn't manage it but with the sedation it was ok. Dont worry about the 24 hour thing. I followed their advice to not drive etc afterwards for 24 hours but was fine to go to work. It was quite mild. I was texting hubby around 15 mins after the procedure so it's not like being asleep and totally out of it. I googled positive endoscopy stores and they helped with some techniques.

I had without sedation and would NOT choose to do that way again.

I had one without sedation. Focus on something nice and your breathing. Numbing throat spray first then a teeth guard in so you don’t bite the tube. I watched it on the screen which was very interesting and distracting but not for everyone. It is not the most fun I have ever had but over in a few minutes and then done and dusted. Just think of your children and happy thoughts and you will get through it. Try not to worry. Good luck. Pancreatitis is vanishing rare after a normal upper GI endoscopy so don’t worry about this.

My db has had a few. Take the sedative is his advice. He didn’t take it first time and regretted it. He now always takes a sedative for any of those of procedures.

Sedation definitely. The throat numbing spray was the hard part because the sensation is quite scary; not feeling your throat. But if you go in knowing it's not going to cause any problems and breathe deeply,. I've had loads.