Endoscopy, what was sedation like for you?

[nodogz]

I had a failed endoscopy today, I had a rude and rough clinician who was pissed off I was complaining about the hard plastic digging in my throat when the tube went in. He put it in twice and then sent me to recovery. Apparently he got it in twice. I had sedation and some numbing spray.

Is this normal? I had one with the numbing spray years back and although it was unpleasant it wasn't painful. I didn't seem any different after the sedation as I was standing up about two minutes after I got into recovery as I was hopping mad. The recovery staff were lovely but concerned I was standing and I didn't want them to feel like I was stopping them from their normal workload as everyone was so busy and overstretched.

I asked for his name and the ward sister came to speak to me after. She said the numbing spray is better than sedation - is that right? She also said and they can only have two attempts per session which sounds fair as my throat is battered (but I can't remember having any pain last time).

I don't feel like I've had any drugs whatsoever. I feel absolutely clear-headed but obviously will follow advice to not drive/drink etc. Was it very light sedation? Or might it not have gone in? I've had some pretty unpleasant medical procedures done and they have never made me cry/physically hurt me. In fact my pain tolerance is usually remarked upon.

I’ve had three. Each with sedation and numbing spray. I wouldn’t even attempt without sedation. I do remember gagging and the tube hurting my throat a bit on my second endoscopy. The sedation is amazing!

I've had two endoscopies with just throat spray and one with sedation. With the sedation I was totally aware of it happening at the time but just couldn't actually remember it properly afterwards. I was up and out straight away as well, my boss came to pick me up so i could have the sedation but then I bobbed out of hospital straight after a procedure under GA and went shopping!

The sedation for colonoscopy (and at the dentist) were good and useful. I'll ask for the maximum next time. I was being flippant about nhs cheapo sedation but maybe they are cost-saving on doses!

Im happy to wait for another appointment, it's to rule stuff out rather than investigatory so im not worried.

I have a feeling the numbing spray is pushed so much is because it's quicker and you need less staff time. The last one was unpleasant with numbing especially compared to the fun and educational time I had at my colonoscopy with nice sedation!

I was being flippant about nhs cheapo sedation but maybe they are cost-saving on doses!

I can confirm from bitter experience it's no better done privately.

This is exactly what happened to me! They put the sedation into my cannula and started trying to shove the tube down my throat about 15 seconds later, I know it's meant to work quickly but not that quickly! I panicked and fought them off, then she gave me throat spray and tried again with the tube, this was all within about 90 seconds of the sedation being given and I was feeling no effects whatsoever. I again panicked and fought them off, they then abandoned the procedure, took the oxygen tube off me and wheeled me out. That's when the sedation kicked in! I woke up about 45 mins later 🙄 had a barium swallow test done a few weeks later instead, much more tolerable.

Don't worry, the sedation is far far better. I've had the numbing spray and it was awful, much worse

I've had sedation for endoscopy and colonoscopy. Didn't feel remotely sedated either time and felt fully aware and awake during and after.They did do the endoscopy with no trouble though so I guess it must have done something. For the colonoscopy they also gave fentanyl I think? Then had to give me entonox, it was pretty uncomfortable.

it doesn't save any money to be mean with the sedation though - if the whole ampoule of a drug isn't used the leftovers just get wasted because sharing ampoules between patients is not allowed. It also costs a flipping fortune to bring patients back for multiple attempts at the same procedure - it is far more cost effective for it to go well the first time. Be reassured, that it's not all part of a cost cutting crusade!

Completely different from an endoscopy though so you can't compare procedures. I have had both so know the difference

I react v badly to midazolam sedation.
Become combative and aggressive .
Told them at gastro appt told alternative would be used.
Nope!
Tried twice and I panicked became combative and they abandoned it
And refuse to try again due to my behaviour
I have damaged to my vocal cords some 7 months after which is " your own fault " for fighting against the scope

That was exactly my experience of sedation for an endoscopy too. And this was done privately. Made absolutely no difference to me, I was fully awake and aware throughout the whole thing and didn't feel any different to normal. When I got back into the room afterwards I asked my DH if I was supposed to notice a difference with sedation (my first time, he'd had one previously). It just seemed to have no effect on me.
Out of interest, are you hypermobile? I think I have read somewhere that for some reason it can affect how you experience anaesthesia.

@Greybeardy this is the type of intel I was after with this post. Good to know it's an err on the side of caution thing without an anaesthetist. For the record, I loved morphine and gas and air. Both excellent experiences.

I expected the sedation to take the edge off, kind of extra relaxed and ok with someone sticking a tube down your throat. With the numbing it was a kind of gird my loins, breathe through the gag reflex and go to a different place and I'd rather not do that again if there's an alternative.

I'm going sedation again next time and ask to make sure I get a new clinician. My throat is still really sore so I am very glad I spoke up.

I am hypermobile - that's really interesting!

I had endoscopy and colonoscopy the same day. Came to during the endo and had to signal to the nurse to let the doctor know. The doc finished the endo, pulled out the tube and then gave me more sedation.

Came to in a hospital ward with DH looking worried. I think the doc had given me too much the second time - blood pressure was too low.

Oh! I am too!

Yep, I have hEDS and I’m resistant to various medications unless I’m near the maximum dose, and even then they wear off quickly.

The dentist thing is a nightmare. I usually need a top up of local halfway through the most routine procedure. Last time, I was there for a root canal and the dentist said afterward ‘I’ve given you a tonne of anaesthetic so you’ll be numb for the next couple of hours’. Nope, 20 minutes later I was home and back to normal 😅

Oh shit @bradypuss. What a terrible time you've had.

There's no info on the drug used for sedation on my letter. I was angry after the procedure but that was all directed at the rude and rough clinician

Well my son can’t remember a thing. The nurse showed me into the recovery room and he asked if they had started yet!

I had sedation and the spray for mine and honestly the sedation didn’t really do a thing. I did not feel at all calm or sedated. Same for colonoscopy. People say they don’t even remember it. No, I definitely bloody well remember the whole thing! Not pleasant at all. To be completely honest, if I had to do it again, I would ask for a light GA rather than the sedation. I was also up and about right after. But I suspect yours was also complicated by a doctor who was being a bit of a tit. I would request a different doctor as well if possible.

@NoMoreCheddar @amusedbush I have hEDS and a colonoscopy in the new year that I’m dreading for this reason. At my last endoscopy the sedation wasn’t working properly and I remember pushing the nurses away (I didn’t have control of my actions!) It’s on my notes now to have the full sedation dose so hoping for this one they will be more prepared for me!

Yes that was how I felt after sedation too - on the NHS.

But I suspect yours was also complicated by a doctor who was being a bit of a tit. I would request a different doctor as well if possible

Yes. My mum has had two endoscopies - neither with sedation and she said one was horrible because the doctor was really rough with her; the other one wasn't pleasant but the staff were nice and it was over quickly.

And yes with the endoscopies they prefer it if you don't have sedation as it's much easier for them - especially with afternoon appointments. They want to go home and not hang around for you to "come to" after the sedation. My mum had both hers late afternoon. She says if she ever has to have it again she will request a morning slot.

But with the colonoscopy it's easier for them if you are sedated as it's a longer procedure. When I had mine I started off with gas and air but it got too uncomfortable so I got given the drugs. They are much more likely to get the procedure finished.

Same here. Colonoscopy yesterday with sedation, ive had stronger cups of tea! Was bloody painful at times. I think the experience varies from hospital to hospital and person to person.