To be terrified of an endoscopy...

[ShartOfGold]

Now I certainly know it's not the worst procedure to have done, far from it... but I'm absolutely shitting myself.
I need to have one done on Monday....

Anyone here had one done? Is it as bad as I'm imagining?

Ive had one down my throat?

I have had one. It was okay. I don't remember any of it to be honest. I was worried before hand but it was fine.

Are you have gastroscope or colonoscope?

I had one a few weeks ago. Dont worry its really simple. I opted for sedation and tbh cant remember much about it but it took no time at all for the procrdure

My brother had one, he took a oral sedative before hand, did they offer you this? He can't remember much because of the sedative but he can rembeer feeling like he needed to gag.

Fun fact: you cannot gag if you breath in through your nose. Deep breaths through nose and you will be absolutely fine:)

How can you breath through your nose if your mouth is open receiving the scope?

I had a transoesophageal echo which is almost the same, just not quite so far down. They gave me a throat numbing spray and mild sedation. Although I felt quite awake during the procedure, I was quite calm and afterwards couldn't really much about it, even straight away!

I had one a few years ago and had the 'light sedation' and was zonked out. I wasn't aware of a thing and when my husband picked me up he said I was slurring my words. Go for sedation you will be fine.

Go for sedation. I woke up when they were removing the tube but that took only a second or two. It was fine, my throat was just a bit sore for a day or two but nothing major.

I had one and was also terrified. I had sedation and although convinced it wouldn't work, remember hardly anything until I woke up in recovery.

Honestly, op, it's fine - I can't have sedation, apparently, as I live alone and don't have anyone to collect me: deep, slow breaths through your nose and don't look on the screen if you are prone to queasiness . It takes a lot less time than you imagine it will

I had sedation, don't remember it really, was vaguely aware of what they were doing but the sedation helped. You just need someone to drive you home and stay with you afterwards.

I was sedated for mine. It really wasn't that bad, the staff were lovely.

I’ve had both ends, it really is nothing to worry about.

I’ve had several, with sedation each time. I can remember it despite the sedation, the sedation just seemed to confuse me. It doesn’t hurt at all but it is an unpleasant feeling, like you’re suffocating. I’ve always needed one of the nurses to hold my arms back as I always try and pull it out.

Go for sedation. It's not fun but will be okay with medication. The medical team will want to keep you comfortable (I hope!)

Yes I've had one. Take the sedation, its not very nice without.

Thanks everyone.

They're testing for coeliac disease so it's down the throat... all the way to the small intestine (I believe)

I'm dreading it 😭

I haven't even had a consultation with the hospital but my gp told me they tend to do it there and then... that can't be right surely? Wouldn't I need to fast beforehand?

The only contact I've had from the hospital is a letter to confirm my appointment and a medical form to fill out.
I don't even know if they'll offer me sedation... gah, my heart is pounding.

Ask for it up your nose rather than through the mouth if possible, it's a million times more bearable.

Oh god... the suffocating feeling is what I'm most scared of.
I freaked out at the dentist once when I was having airflow cleaning... I felt like I couldn't breathe and pretty much jumped out the chair 😭

Have had two of these. Had sedation and remembered nothing of the procedure itself. I remember only going into the room which felt strangely peaceful . Hope this helps.

I had one a couple of years ago. Was going to opt for sedation but at the last minute, as the unit was so calm and professional, I thought I'd just go with the throat spray. The nurse told me I could change my mind at the last minute and have the sedation if I wanted.

The spray takes effect in seconds. You lie on your side, close your eyes, the tubes goes down, slight gag reflex then that's it. I'd like to have looked at the screen but it was behind me. The doctor made a joke when he was doing the procedure, and he told me off (jokingly) for laughing - so I must have been relaxed.

Note: I am not that brave a person. So, if you fancy a quicker recovery time go for the above. If you'd rather be sedated and know nothing, then go for that, it's a quick recovery and either way all done.

If I had to go for one tomorrow I wouldn't be that bothered now, and would just go for the throat spray again.

They won’t do sedation if you’re driving home so think about having someone with you.

I was booked in to hospital as a day patient when I had my gastroscope and colonoscopy. I had sedation and wild heavily recommend it.

Good luck.

I've had 3 without sedation (lone parent) and although not pleasant, it's quick and doable. Breathe. Relax.

It's great getting out of the hospital within an hour instead of being kept in ages because of sedation.

You normally get a letter beforehand telling you your options re sedation and not to eat beforehand. I’ve always had it booked in as a procedure, never just had an appointment at the hospital and they decided to do it. You can choose on the day whether to do sedation or not though - you do need someone to take you home afterwards if you have sedation though.