Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

In thinking an upper endoscopy doesn't need a general anesthetic?!

61 replies

windandme · 27/09/2019 19:08

I have bad GERD. I'm booked in for a upper endoscopy and they've said I have to have a general anaesthetic for it!

All of my family have had them and have always had conscious sedation. I've never had a general, I'm terrified, also, it's surely going to cost me a LOT more? (Not in UK.)

Should I call them back and clarify why they want to give me a general? It doesn't seem standard practice when I google it either.

Anyone have experience of them?

OP posts:
nonevernotever · 27/09/2019 19:50

I had one recently with the throat spray. It wasn't pleasant but it was manageable and it has the benefit of not having to wait for any sedation to wear off.

mrspotatohed · 27/09/2019 19:51

I had sedation and throat spray and it was truly awful. I wish I'd have been put under

alittlequinnie · 27/09/2019 19:52

I had one a few years ago. I opted for sedation.

Fucking awful - they kept me waiting for 4 hours after my appointment on a hard chair and then rushed me through super fast - I was struggling with panic before they even started - they then fucked up the cannula (?) and couldn't get it in - they had to do it in the vien in the crook of my elbow which was really awkward.

They put the drug in and I immediately blacked out.

Woke up when they were in the middle of it and didn't have a clue where I was or what was happening except that somebody was choking me to death.

They tried to calm me down but the stupid wankers got my name wrong so that just added to the confusion!

I then got severely bollocked that they coudln't complete it and I haven't been offered another one!

I was a bit scared of the throat spray so if I was offered GA for another one I would certainly take it!

Seriously I was so out of it I was literally fighting them off like Rocky Balboa!! Not my finest hour!

Original poster
windandme · 27/09/2019 19:59

They don't know I'm scared. I haven't even had a bloody appointment or meeting with anyone! I went to my (very rural) nurse who put in the referral then just got a call four months later today.

I suspect there's a happy medium between a lot of NHS experiences (saving money) and where I am (US) trying to spend as much money.

But I've taken on board the comments about how it may be better as I'm nervous.

The last time I was in a hospital for a procedure I freaked out and left. I hyperventilate and pass out at least once during blood draws. If I explained it to them maybe they could give me a bloody Valium or something before so I'm not a crying, gibberish wreck when I go in. I'm so bloody embarrassed. Blush

OP posts:
missyB1 · 27/09/2019 20:13

I guessed you were abroad when you called it GERD it’s GORD in UK. Anyway you wouldn’t get a GA in UK for a straightforward gastroscopy unless there were very specific reasons. It’s an unnecessary risk. So I suspect it’s about making money or covering up shit endoscopy skills! A good endoscopist can do these procedures with causing pain or too much distress.
I had just the throat spray and was fine (out shopping 30 minutes later). But I chose my endoscopist carefully- I have insider knowledge Grin

BarbariansMum · 27/09/2019 20:25

An ordinary endoscopy or a push endoscopy? The latter needs a GA. I've had normal ones done just w throat spray, not much fun. Most people seem to prefer sedation.

Original poster
windandme · 27/09/2019 20:41

I can't remember what they called it! I'd really like a proper consultation with someone rather than scheduling it under the day so of a physicians assistant. They're capable in emergency medicine but hardly gastro experts!

And much as it may be better as I'm nervous, it'll cost so much more. Probably thousands more. Sad

OP posts:
Natsku · 27/09/2019 20:56

I've had two upper endoscopies, first was with just the throat spray and it was horrid but I have a very strong gag reflex so I felt like I was choking the whole time. The second time was supposed to be sedation plus throat spray but the sedation didn't really work (I don't think they waited long enough for the meds to kick in, I felt sleepy twenty minutes after the procedure) and I very nearly punched the doctor in the face because I panicked. If I were ever to have another one I would insist on proper sedation.

missyB1 · 27/09/2019 21:35

OP you need to see a Gastroenterologist.

Original poster
windandme · 27/09/2019 21:38

@missyB1 yes. I feel like they've jumped a step. I'm going to ask for a consultation first. That'll cost me another £400 odd but I'd feel happier.

OP posts:
Jellyhater · 27/09/2019 22:03

I’ve had 2 ercp; one with the banana throat spray and the 2nd under GA.

I would never have another one unless under GA. Both of them took 30 mins+ which was longer than I had been told. Unpleasant experiences.

timshelthechoice · 27/09/2019 22:43

I make sure they give me proper sedation and it's kicked in before they even start as I have PTSD and having anything down my throat is a major trigger due to past trauma. They tried to fob me off with 'better with just the throat spray' story even after knowing this (yeah, better for you, didn't bother to read my notes) but I was having none of it and if I could I'd have it with a GA. It's not 'just unpleasant' or 'uncomfortable' for me but seriously traumatic. I've had two. I'd query what exactly they are doing, too - I've had biopsies of stomach ulcers taken and also have GORD/GERD (it's not just the US I've heard the latter term here, too).

timshelthechoice · 27/09/2019 22:46

With the NHS if you don't have connections it's just take whom you get so personally I'm going to make sure I'm at least very sedated.

IncrediblySadToo · 27/09/2019 22:57

I think it sounds like you need a lot more information before they get anywhere near you!

Personally they’d have to give me a GA or they’d never get it done.

Best wishes

Lunafortheloveogod · 27/09/2019 22:58

It’s possibly as it’s urgent they want to guarantee they manage to get it done the first time? If they went with numbing/sedation and you couldn’t cope or came round half way in a mad panic you might not be keen to come back for round two especially when you’re already afraid of hospitals/needles.

GA means it’s likely a one n done not a traumatic panic and then “we didn’t manage when can we rebook”

RaymondStopThat · 27/09/2019 23:03

In France you get the choice of GA or sedation. Some of the endoscopies I've seen at work with sedation have been pretty unpleasant. I've chosen GA twice.

stucknoue · 27/09/2019 23:05

I've been told it's under GA (U.K. ) but I've already had scans, they said they attempt to remove anything they find so they don't have to call you back

whippetwoman · 27/09/2019 23:07

I had one and just had the spray which was fine actually. In fact because I was ok with it, he gave me a guided tour of the inside of my stomach which was rather fascinating in a strange way. However, I don’t have a strong gag reflex which helps. It wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

Walnutwhipster · 27/09/2019 23:08

Are you sure they don't mean twilight sedation which sends you to sleep? I have all mine done under a full GA in theatre now and they only do that in the here in extreme cases. I've had around 30.

missyB1 · 28/09/2019 09:03

Yikes! £400 for a consultation? You could see a Consultant privately for half that here!

Original poster
windandme · 28/09/2019 12:16

She definitely said general. I asked her again.

I've spoken to a friend who works there and she's said to switch doctors. I also posted on a local message board and got over 20 other people recommending the same guy. My friend's husband runs the or so she's given me his number and said to call him and book on a day that he's there so he can tell the people who'll be looking after me I'll need a bit of babying! (Or tough love Grin).

I will definitely switch doctors and ask for a consult before just jumping in with anything though, thanks for your answers!

OP posts:
Original poster
windandme · 01/10/2019 16:11

They called back and said if I insisted they could do it with just the throat numbing but they advise not to. They won't do sedation any more as too many people came round mid way or complained of after effects.

They also said this would enable them to take a stomach biopsy if they needed to.

I did switch doctor to the one recommended. He's booked out until May so he must be good, the other one had slots next week lol!

OP posts:
Original poster
windandme · 01/10/2019 16:14

And it looks like we'll actually have health insurance by then yay. Although our deductible/excess is likely to be around $15,000 a year. Sad

OP posts:
butteryellow · 01/10/2019 16:26

I've had another procedure twice - once under general, once under twilight, and I can't say that there's much to choose between the two, except that the twilight meant that I do remember what happened, albeit very vaguely, whereas with the general it just all goes dark until I woke up.

Neither was bad, although I'd choose twilight again if I had to do it a third time, simply because I don't like the idea of being unconscious

KarenWithTheHair · 01/10/2019 16:36

So you have to wait until May? That’s a long time op.

I had one with just the throat spray and they took four biopsies. Totally fine. The worst part was the caffeine withdrawal headache I had after as I’d been kept waiting for two hours after my appt time and so was very dehydrated and overdue my morning coffee afterwards! And the HUGE ominous belch that rumbled up from my toes in the car on the way home Blush

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread