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Original poster

Endoscopy without sedation - experiences?

79 replies

danadas · 18/01/2020 21:16

Having a last minute panic over an endoscopy. I know I have the option of sedation but really don't want it so was planning on going without.

Having now read some horror stories, am I being stupid not taking the offer of sedation? I know it won't be much fun but will it be painful? There will be a biopsy taken too.

Hopefully someone will be able to tell me that it will all be fine!

OP posts:
MrsFloraPoste · 18/01/2020 21:22

Ask for gas and air?
Take something before hand.
Take a hip flask in with you...

It isn’t exactly painful, just uncomfortable.

GulliBelle · 18/01/2020 21:22

I had one without sedation. It was uncomfortable rather than painful, but only lasted a few minutes and none of the groggy recovery period.

I am not sure if I'd have one again without sedation, but I wouldn't rule it out.

FaithInfinity · 18/01/2020 21:24

It’s fine. Honestly, most people think they want sedation but manage without. It’s only a 5-10 minute procedure. It’s uncomfortable on your throat where the scope goes down but otherwise you can’t feel it. If they take samples you might feel a little tug but it doesn’t hurt. The worst bit for me was gagging but once you relax your breathing it’s much easier.

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General health
SinkGirl · 18/01/2020 21:25

Can I ask why you don’t want the sedation? Maybe we could ease your worries about that.

Have had a few procedures under sedation and would always choose it personally.

FaithInfinity · 18/01/2020 21:25

OP are you talking about a gastroscopy or a colonoscopy?

Walnutwhipster · 18/01/2020 21:25

I found it traumatic with just the throat spray.

raspberrymolakoff · 18/01/2020 21:29

My DS did it without and my friend's DH. Both regretted it. I chose to have the drugs and remembered nothing and had just a slightly scratchy throat like you do after an operation.

Original poster
danadas · 18/01/2020 21:34

@FaithInfinity - sorry it is the gastroscopy to check for Coeliac.

@SinkGirl - it is typically the only day my OH is out for the day. My appt is at 10:30am and he can stay with me until 1.30pm so was hoping to be done by then without any sedation but the letter says to allow 5 hours with sedation. I was only referred Tuesday unexpectedly and they hospital phoned with a cancellation for tomorrow which is why it hasn't worked out that he will be around.

OP posts:
Holymolymackerel · 18/01/2020 21:36

I have done it twice without sedation and yes it is horrible feeling. I felt like I was suffocating and really held the nurses hand who chatted to me throughout the procedures. I really needed to concentrate on getting through it.

But I did get through it and I'm sure you can.

I chose not to have sedation because I like to feel in control, I don't like being dopey (never been drunk) also I feared I would be sick and also I wanted to get on with my day straight after.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 18/01/2020 21:38

I did. It was okay - I didn't choose not to have sedation, it was the hospitals preference. I still wasn't out early enough for what you want though, I went in at 10am for a 10:15 appointment, got changed and waited in a room with a few other people until 11:30ish and then finished up at about 2pm. Fiancé picked me up at about 2:30, I had to have been able to use the bathroom first.

It was uncomfortable and a bit painful but not awful.

All the best Thanks

Silvercatowner · 18/01/2020 21:38

Nope. No-one is going to stuff a tube down my throat unless I've had the drugs. I'm emetophobic and this would just not be feasible.

NannyR · 18/01/2020 21:42

I had one without sedation - I live on my own and the advice was that someone had to stay with you for 12 hours after sedation which didn't really work out for me. The gagging bit was bad, but it was over very quickly and I felt fine immediately after.

CoffeeRunner · 18/01/2020 21:44

I could have a colonoscopy without sedation but not a gastroscopy. It's not the pain aspect, it's the fear of choking.

See how you go.

Original poster
danadas · 18/01/2020 21:45

@AnchorDownDeepBreath - I don't mind being there longer but will be alone until about 9pm so would rather be fully functioning at home and agree with feeling more in control.

@Holymolymackerel - did you feel like you were suffocating all the way through or just when the camera was at the back of your throat? It sounds so horrible, were you able to breath OK?

Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 18/01/2020 21:46

I've had one without sedation. It wasn't too bad. The worst bit was the tube going down my nose, but they sprayed it with numbing spray beforehand. The tube isn't that thick, it's more psychological than anything.

NC4THISandTHAT · 18/01/2020 21:50

Scarred for Fucking life....... Was not given enough sedation SEDATION IS A MUST I SOBBED LIKE A NEGLECTED CHILD

Original poster
danadas · 18/01/2020 21:56

Oh god, just six short days ago I was in blissful ignorance that anything untoward was going on and now I have 12 hours to calm myself down and get to grips with swallowing some sort of suffocation device. Middle age coming at me fast. Grin

OP posts:
SoulStarS · 18/01/2020 22:00

Sedation. Take the sedation. Take it all and then take some more. I involuntarily panicked (surprised myself) as my body reacted as though I were being cut off of air supply. I wasn’t. But my body somehow went into both flight and fight mode. They gave me a triple dose in the end. It was great 👍

Cockadoodledooo · 18/01/2020 22:03

I could have managed the colonoscopy without sedation but definitely needed it for the gastroscopy. I think it's because I could see what they were doing. That and the numbing spray they used on the back of my throat - that sent me into a massive panic even with the sedation.

Good luck op.

troppibambini · 18/01/2020 22:03

I did it without sedation.
It was truly horrific do not do it.
I had a dentist appointment for a scale and polish a few days later and had a full blown panic attack. I haven't been to the dentist for two years because I can't stand anyone being in my mouth now.
I literally felt like I was being attacked please please take the sedation.

SecretWitch · 18/01/2020 22:05

I can only say I’ve had it done under sedation. The thought of something going down my throat really panics me.

FREEM · 18/01/2020 22:05

I've had one with sedation and then I chose the next then not to have sedation.
The sedation just made me feel paralysed .. I was aware but unable to react
without wasn't pleasant but over quick

INeedNewShoes · 18/01/2020 22:07

I'd want sedation for this. Could you ask a friend/relative to come and pick you up from the hospital afterwards and drive you home and stay with you until DH gets home? I know it's a hassle and we don't like to put people out but the most important thing here is that the procedure can be done successfully and isn't any more traumatic than it needs to be!

EauDeResistance · 18/01/2020 22:07

I've had 3 without sedation. All fine. Listen to the nurse - she'll tell you what's happening and how to breathe. She held my hand. Lol.

It also helped me to take my glasses off and shut my eyes.

Really great being able to get up and leave shortly afterwards.

Mischance · 18/01/2020 22:09

I have had it done twice. The first time I had sedation and therefore could not drive home. But on the second I had about 8 puffs of entonox to help me through the swallowing bit, and it wore off quickly and I was able to drive home. Neither were particularly pleasant - but I guess one would not expect that - but neither were they too bad at all. If I had to have another tomorrow it would not worry me.

Just lie back and think of Eng;land!