Transnasal endoscopy vs normal endoscopy

[Anxietyhell21]

So I've been referred for an endoscopy however I suffer with panic attacks and health anxiety. I was referred on the 2 week pathway and my first appointment was at the end of January, sadly I couldn't go ahead as I freaked out before even getting in there. A week of panic attacks followed. I tried again last week and again I just couldn't do it but I know I need to have it done. I worry about the sedation and not been in control. I worry about the throat spray as it makes you feel you can't swallow. It makes you feel you can't breathe which triggers my panic attacks.

I've seen that transnasal is tolerated better and doesn't require sedation. Is there a reason it isn't offered routinely? Has anyone requested a transnasal endoscopy over a normal one?

For 5 weeks I've had a lump feeling in the throat, feel like I can't swallow, constant burping/indegestion. So I know I need to have it investigated. Dr thinks hiatus hernia or possibly an ulcer

Any input would be greatly received

Do not worry. I also have health anxiety and fear of choking. I have had endoscopy twice with sedation and it was completely fine. I had no memory of the actual thing. Just a bit of a sore throat afterwards.

I had an endoscopy last year, with sedation

I don’t know why you think the throat spray makes it so you can’t swallow, or breath it tastes vile, but other than that it does nothing just ensures you don’t feel the tube and by the time you have it you have already had other sedation anyway

I can reassure you I hope. I'm a complete wimp. I have had three endoscopies down throat in past 18 months. All were completely painless and not traumatic at all. I took sedation and felt quite rested after actually! The doctor put line in back of hand for my light sedation. Then walked to procedure room with gown over usual clothes. Chatted to nurse removed my shoes so wouldn't make trolley dirty. Doctor said hello asked me to lie on side and bite plastic thingie. Sprayed throat. Tasteless but immediately after administered sedation. I wake up it seems to me immediately very comfortable on ward where they bring me water and sandwich before I go home feeling fine and not even a sore throat. All the best.

Sedation is lovely. I don’t remember anything at all after being asked to bite on a plastic thing and I didn’t have any throat spray. Woke up feeling incredibly well rested.

I’ve also had a camera up my nose and that is much worse and the spray they use for that is disgusting.

I should add, the first time I had an endoscopy and a colonoscopy in the same session, the second time just an endoscopy. With sedation it’s like nothing ever happened.

Nasal endoscopy felt surprisingly un-invasive when I had one a few years ago.