I stupidly chickened out today from my Gastroscopy

[Bunty55]

I have had two such procedures before and tolerated them well. They used the throat spray and I was awake both times.
The last time was about 10 weeks ago. I can't eat sometimes and am sick for hours so it was necessary to find out what is wrong, and they said I had a lot of swelling and soreness. They took biopsies and rebooked me for eight weeks time.
I cancelled as I couldn't deal with it. I felt traumatised. They rebooked me for today and I got as far as seeing the nurse prior to the procedure and I told her I could not go through with it.
She said they have found an ulcer in my throat and need to look again.
We agreed to leave it today - I have to rebook very soon and next time I will have an anaesthetic.
Most of the time I am such a pro-active person but this was just too much and I behaved like a big baby. I came home and slept all day since I was awake last night dreading having it done. I don't even know why I am telling you this

That sounds very stressful and I don’t doubt many will have done the same when faced with an unpleasant medical procedure. Don’t beat yourself up. Just rebook it and it will be a far easier experience with the anaesthetic. Wishing you well for the outcome.

I had the same procedure at the age of 17 with throat spray and nothing else. It was absolutely horrific. I was diagnosed with crohns disease and have had multiple colonoscopies since then (which are an absolute breeze in comparison). If they ever told me I needed the camera down my throat again there's no way I could do it, not without an anaesthetic, no way at all.

You have my sympathy. Don't beat yourself up about it, some medical procedures are traumatic and you now know that you can't do it awake, there's no shame in that!

Ask for sedation the next time you go for the procedure

I am in my 50's and have put off my smear test for the last 18 months - do you know why? Because last time it wasnt just uncomfortable it was so painful. I have never missed a smear test before. So you reach a point where you are like - no more. And yes these are not on the spot life threatening issues, so we rationalise. I wish you well for when you re-book and I will be re-booking my smear-test.

NBU. Friend had these procedures repeatedly (genetic condition) and had to be heavily sedated to tolerate them. He managed to endure all sorts of other procedures with less stress. Don't feel bad that you find it challenging.

I think there are times in your life when you feel strong and can take on the world.. solve other people's problems etc.., and then other times when you feel the opposite.
I can relate to the smear test too. It got worse for me after I had had children which was a bit strange given what happens when you give birth.
Today was not a good day but tomorrow will be better

Were you not offered sedation for the procedure? I think it is only the bold and the brave who have an endoscopy without one. You are not the exception, you are the rule to feel like you did. Take the midazolam in the canulla and you will not feel anything or remember anything AT ALL.

The last time I had one, the surgeon said he much prefers patients to have sedation as it is easier for him, the team and the patient. So insist on sedation next time, it is done for I'd say 99% of cases, the 1% can go and boast about how easy it is and how brave they are.

I was always terrified. I once walked past a room with Gastroscopy on it, and my legs went weak.

However, with sedation it’s just nothing. Nothing at all. Don’t remember any of it. And going under is fun too.

You're not alone to have reacted that way. I had to have one done and I was sobbing. They tried 3 times to get it done but I pulled it out as soon as it hit the back of my throat. Well done you for having done it before because it's not easy! Try the sedation next time. It unfortunately didn't help me but hopefully will for you.

They held me down for mine - it was awful, followed immediately by a colonoscopy / that was a breeze - worst bit swallowing all the liquid day before

If I have to have another I would have sedation - I sympathise with you - can you take someone Roth you whilst you wait ? I had a major op recently and the waiting around really made me nervous

Good luck for next time x

I couldn't do the glaucoma test where they blow a puff of air into your eye the last time I went to the opthalmologist. Can barely tolerate a needle stick anymore. Everything comes across as traumatic. I put it down to the aging process and related anxiety. You have my sympathy. Maybe ask for a sedative beforehand?

Ah don't feel bad, op. I have to have a lot of gastroscopies and can't tolerate them awake. Get them to knock you out with sedation next time

Have the sedation. I have a terrible gag reflex and I was really worried about how I would cope. I had the sedation and I barely remember anything about it.

Thank you. I feel better for reading the responses !

I’m not surprised you chickened out, I would have too. And I wouldn’t have slept a wink either.
Arrange to have sedation or a GA next time.
You can do it ! 💐

I’ve just had one with sedation - no problem. I’m now due another and if they don’t knock me out I will request it.
it’s not reasonable to expect people to tolerate a procedure like that without sedation. Quite apart from anything else, they need you to stay still.
sympathies OP and don’t beat yourself up.

I don't blame you, I had to have one which I put off for 2 years I was so scared. When the time came I was crying like a big baby, they had to give me some fairly heavy sedation which knocked me out for most of it, I came round just as they were pulling the thing out . I am full of admiration for those who go regularly, refuse the throat spray and just get on with it - I think they're so brave. Good luck with it, it's a means to an end, but I know how hard it is for some of us.

I get them up the nose. I couldn't cope with the throat. Just the numbing stuff up the nose and no sedation needed. I don't know why they don't do that as standard.

"I think there are times in your life when you feel strong and can take on the world.. solve other people's problems etc.., and then other times when you feel the opposite."

Ain't that the truth @Bunty55 ! I've had one, strong gag reflex and no sedation, it wasn't pleasant. You're not feeling well anyway which makes things worse. I'd talk to them about a GA or strong sedation. Apart from gleaning an insight for what our suffragette sisters went through, there is no gain in unneeded pain!

I'm updating because there is another thread started and there were so many replies I decided this was a better way of giving info to the OP on that thread.

I have now had my follow up endoscopy/gastroscopy with throat spray and slight sedation.

Fully recommend it and would have it again if needs be. No problem and no anxiety.
I am no shrinking violet and not a baby either. I've had it twice before with just throat spray so am aware.

Hi I have to have my first gastroscopy with the nhs and they said all I can have it sedation and throat spray but won't be fully asleep. Do you still gag with sedation and was yours in the UK NHS as heard there sedation prob isn't as strong as private