Anyone had a failed endoscopy?

I had a failed one 2 weeks ago. I had the throat spray, because I’ve previously had an endoscopy done with the throat spray before, and whilst it wasn’t pleasant it was fine. This time though the nurse was pushing the tube against the back of my throat saying my throat was too tight so she couldn’t get it down. I could feel it on bashing on the right hand side, it wasn’t going down the middle iyswim. She took the tube out three or four times but couldn’t do it, the spray was wearing off so she said I’d have to come back and have sedation.

I’ve got an appointment for this Sunday morning with a senior doctor to have another go. A nurse phoned me yesterday to go through it and said I wouldn’t necessarily have to have sedation, I really don’t want it, because the doctor is more experienced and would probably be able to do it without, but not to worry if I do, he’d give it me at the time. She said if they can’t manage it this time, there’s other tests that can be done.

I felt a right prat when I had to leave after it had failed. DH had taken time off work to take me, I’d used up time that was precious and, tbh, the nurses in the room weren’t the nicest. I’m just hoping I get it done this weekend. I hope they manage to find a way to get yours done too, @Tink3rbell30

It should be neither heartening or disheartening to be honest. It's just one of those things and is no one's fault. It happened that when they gave you a standard dose of midazolam it didn't help you much, that was your body's reaction. As a PP said, non anaesthetists won't give higher doses of painkillers/ sedative medication and you wouldn't want them to, as they don't have the skills needed to manage an airway.

Most people would have been fine with some throat spray and midazolam for a gastroscopy/ OGD, but you weren't.

I've had a gastroscopy twice without sedation. For me I think if I was sedated I'd be confused and struggle. As it was, with the throat spray it was unpleasant but not painful and was over quickly. When I had to have another some years after I chose the same again. I think everyone is different and it seems odd to me they'd be so definitive in telling you that you'd have no chance of getting through without it.

Funny part was when he sprayed my throat and said "it's supposed to taste like bananas but doesn't really" I sort of smacked my lips a bit. Him "how is it?" Me "I've had worse cocktails!", him "have some more!" And I got another good squirt 😂

Please don't give up. I've you've been recommended this procedure it will be for good reason. Maybe just a different person doing it might help? Good luck !🤞

Yup - the exact same for me.

They made me wait 6 hours, knew I was really nervous, wouldn't let me wait with my husband (who was there) and then suddenly they were ready and they rushed me through and I knew I was in panic mode.

I said you need to wait a second and let me take a breath - but they just stuck the sedation in which knocked me out like a GA...

.. then woke up not knowing what was going on and tried to yank the tube out - they kept telling me to stop but they were calling me the wrong name so I didn't register they were talking to me...

... afterwards I got a bollocking from the nurse who said they weren't able to do it and it was my own fault.

I've never been offered another one despite me still having the same health concerns.

anaesthetist pov...the idea of the sedation is to make the procedure more comfortable - most people still move at least a bit even if they don't remember it. Some people become paradoxiacally disinhibited with benzodiazepines but there's only one way to find out who that'll happen too. Sedation by non-anaesthetists is usually tightly protocolised because all of the usual drug options (inc. benzos and fentanyl) come with some pretty funky side effects and at higher doses can stop you breathing. Anaesthetists are more comfortable using propofol for sedation because we manage its respiratory and cardiovascular side effects day in day out. GA is the only way to get rid of any movement at all (but most endoscopists don't need the patient to be completely still...they just need to be not thrashing about). It's not a personal or moral failing to have had to bail out - sounds like it was worth a try but a GA would be a better option.

I had a failed one with sedation, I felt like I was choking and gagging so much they couldn't continue. I have a very small throat and the tube felt massive. They gave me as much sedation as possible but still couldn't proceed. I ended up getting a barium x-ray which didn't reveal anything so they said next time I'd need to get a general. I've also had colonoscopies and have to get them under a general now as apparently under sedation I'm screaming and hitting which is too traumatic for the staff

I had a horrible colonoscopy experience in the past. They didn’t give me enough sedation and I was fully awake and screaming in agony. Today actually, I had another colonoscopy and it was lovely, no pain and was drowsy and watching on the screen what I was going through. It depends on the hospital and the staff. Some staff just see you as a number with no compassion and treat eat patient the same - yet other staff treat each patient with the individuality they deserve and with full compassion. I’ve been under about 10 different hospitals in the past for various surgeries and the difference in them all is insane.

im sorry this happened to you, i know the lead up is awful - both the anxieties and the time waiting. So for it to be failed is so stressful. I hope you can try again and it’ll go successfully and you can get to top health! X

Sorry this happened to you. I had the same with a colonoscopy. I was sedated so don’t remember but apparently I was trying to climb off the trolley so they had to stop. I had a scan instead which was fine.

There must be an alternative for you too.

It's unfair for you - I'd recommend really being assertive & requesting if you can have a more effective sedation & try another time? It's your divine right to have this procedure because your doctor wouldn't have referred you for this, if they didn't believe it was essential 🙏
I'm praying you will be given answers & solutions soon
Remember you deserve the best treatment & it's not your fault if they gave you too mild a sedative the 1st time 💚

Occasionally people need a lot of sedation.
sounds like a GA would be the next step although they could try again .

I was anxious and had throat sort and midazolam. I woke up remembering very little about it which is common.

They can give you a GA, or something close to. As I take strong pain meds for a pancreas disease, I refused to have any without a GA as I was half away and not pleasant. I think it was called propofol. It is like a GA but doesn’t put you as fully under, but it’s not a conscious sedation like they normally give. I’ve had over 20 endoscopies and trust me, lots of people fight them without being aware.

So sorry this happened. I have a very similar experience with endoscopies - even with max sedation I am trying to pull the tube out, moving around etc. Last time my consultant did it as he is more experienced and I ended up hitting him. I have no knowledge of this. They had to stop mine but they did see what they needed.

Don’t try just the throat spray if you couldn’t manage the sedation. It’s not over quickly. I had my first one without and I gagged the whole time plus was hysterical.

They can give you more sedation and a different combo. Otherwise it will have to be done under GA.