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Original poster

Am I a wimp?! Endoscopy without sedation!

133 replies

WaffleFrenchToast · 16/10/2022 23:49

Has anyone else ever had an endoscopy without sedation and regretted it afterwards?

it’s never going to be a pleasant procedure but I never expected it to be so terrifying. I chose no sedation because I was under the impression it was easy and routinely done without sedation. I was fine until it went into my throat and I felt like something took over me body and it was like I was possessed- I remember panicking that I was being choked (obviously I wasn’t but it sure as hell felt like it!) and I think I was thrashing about and tried to pull out the camera at one point! I don’t remember very much other than begging them to take it out, in between violent wretches and burps and trying to pull out the camera in my stomach.

I try to never be a difficult person and I’m scared to make a fuss or ever say anything so no matter how scared or upset I am, I would always just keep it all inside. But it felt I was possessed! I think my body thought I was dying!

I understand that they couldn’t just pull it out straight away, and by that point it was easier to continue because it was already in my stomach, but it was terrifying because I felt like I was being choked and nobody was listening (obviously they were but they couldn’t just rip it out!)

after it was done I was a sobbing, shaking, shivering mess.

The nurses and doctors were lovely and reassured me and they got it over as quickly as possible, but if I ever have to go through this ever again (hopefully never) then I will absolutely NEVER go without sedation. I had nightmares for weeks after it!

anyone else had this?! Or am I just a big wimp? 😉

OP posts:
LeMoo · 16/10/2022 23:53

Definitely not a wimp. I have had them semi regularly for years and I need to be heavily sedated for them or sheer panic envelopes me.

I also have always worried I'm a wimp but I witnessed another patient struggling with NG tube once and realised the doctors and nurses weren't just reassuring me to be nice, they were telling the truth.

You were really brave.

chineapplepunks · 16/10/2022 23:57

I had one without sedation because I was young and cocky. I definitely should've had sedation because it was horrible but it sounds like you really had a rough time!!

PorcupinePie · 16/10/2022 23:58

My experience was the same. I thought I was going to die, the panic was overwhelming and I had to be restrained by multiple members of staff. The consultant was very apologetic afterwards and explained that I had a (previously unknown) hiatial hernia that had made it much more difficult to get the tube down.
You're not a wimp OP, it was one of the worst experiences of my life. Worse than labour and birth.

cailingaelach · 17/10/2022 00:00

My brother had one without sedation years ago, he said it was horrific and would never choose no sedation again. Your experience sounds awful!

Borgonzola · 17/10/2022 00:01

I had one. I thought I was going to die. I'd actually rather have another baby than have another endoscopy without any form of sedation.

Livinginanotherworld · 17/10/2022 00:02

I wasn’t offered sedation, didn’t even know it was an option, omg…..never again, I thought I was choking to death, it was awful. This was many years ago, I still shudder at the thought of it.

PurpleWisteria1 · 17/10/2022 00:02

I had sedation and was still like you describe. I ‘came round’ whilst the tube was In and had the same reaction but was almost paralysed due to the sedation. Absolutely awful and I had nightmares about it for weeks too.
will never have another without full sedation or a general. I think it’s actually barbaric.

Stardust1985 · 17/10/2022 00:04

YANBU at all. Honestly the worst procedure I've ever had. I wanted sedation and they talked me out of it as its such a 'routine' procedure. I had nightmares and flashbacks for months afterwards, I had a panic attack while they were doing it and four staff pinned me down. It was horrendous. If I ever need another I'll have to have a GA.

I'm so sorry you had an awful experience too.

Gagagardener · 17/10/2022 00:04

It's nothing to do with being a wimp. I tried one without sedation, but my gag reflex made sure that didn't happen. I have very little memory of what happened next. If I have to have another, bugger being brave! (Good thing my DH was quite clear I shouldn’t be unaccompanied; I couldn't have got myself home.)

The experience has, however, made me think about what Suffragettes underwent for their beliefs.

Meili04 · 17/10/2022 00:05

YANBU You are very brave I had one. I was given midazolam and something else I can't remember the procedure at all. I felt very happy and high as a kite they should always offer sedation. So sorry you went through thar.

GladysGeorgina · 17/10/2022 00:07

I’ve had one sedation free - right into the first part of my small intestines. Never, ever again! The worst was when I could feel the scope moving around in my stomach and intestines. I also retched horribly. I’m usually pretty resilient when it comes to all things medical but this was something else! After I’d had it done, my sweaty brow was mopped by a lovely nurse, the bed was spun round and I had a colonoscopy with entonox. Absolute breeze in comparison.

CrochetIsCool · 17/10/2022 00:08

I was routinely offered sedation, no suggestion/discussion of doing it without. Cannot imagine having this procedure without sedation so you are definitely not a wimp.

Meili04 · 17/10/2022 00:10

If you ever need another one ask for the drugs they were top notch. I don't remember the procedure and I woke up laughing my tits off amazing stuff.

JFDIYOLO · 17/10/2022 00:12

I'm so sorry. I put my experience of endoscopy with sedation onto the health chat today. If I need another I'll definitely ask for it again.

Remaker · 17/10/2022 00:15

Oh my goodness I don’t think you’re a wimp at all! It sounds horrendous. I’ve never heard of an endoscopy without sedation. I wonder if they are common where I live (Australia). I have to have regular colonoscopies and I thought endoscopy was treated the same way, with full sedation. I never know a thing about the procedure - just wake up when it’s all over.

GuyMontag · 17/10/2022 00:15

Sedation is standard for endoscopy in most countries. So you are far from atypical for finding it unbearable without sedation. I'm sorry you had to go through this OP. Our health system is not patient centered.

Newcatbrowntail · 17/10/2022 00:15

I had without sedation, because I wanted to be able to drive later. Next time I’ll be having the works and a taxi. I mean it wasn’t the worst thing in the world, but why make things hard on yourself when they can be easy.

HollaHolla · 17/10/2022 00:16

I had two not sedated ; because I had to drive myself home afterwards.
it wasn’t great, but Y’know, had to be done.
I think you maybe need to think about relaxation/breathing techniques if you need another like this. It really helped me - I disassociated myself somewhat.
hope that you got the results you needed.

Dawnish291 · 17/10/2022 00:19

I had one without sedation when I was 16. My parents said I'd be fine and I really didn't understand what it would entail. I somehow managed to stay calm but it was a terrible experience and one I'd never ever repeat!

NewNormalLife · 17/10/2022 00:19

I've had one where they did very light sedation as I was breastfeeding. it was honestly the most traumatic thing I've been through- well tied with my first birth.

I had a first one done privately with full sedation and apart from the horrible throat spray I dont remember anything - just waking up in a nice bed in a en suite room. the 2nd was on the nhs and couldn't be more different. I'll never put myself through that again.

Anoisagusaris · 17/10/2022 00:19

Why were you under the impression it was an easy procedure? Did you not do any research?

BashfulClam · 17/10/2022 00:22

DH has had 2 without sedation. He said it wasn’t pleasant but ok. Maybe he’s just hardcore. I refuse point blank to have one.

Original poster
WaffleFrenchToast · 17/10/2022 00:23

Anoisagusaris · 17/10/2022 00:19

Why were you under the impression it was an easy procedure? Did you not do any research?

I didn’t really have much time to do any research, I was told I was getting one and it happened the following day.

to be honest I wouldn’t usually do any research on a medical procedure anyway- if a doctor says I need one then I’ll trust them on it!

they said lots of people get it without sedation and are fine which I’m sure is true and that lots of people get it without sedation and are fine, I’m not saying they misdescribed it to me. I was just surprised at my individual reaction to it, that’s all!

OP posts:
WarblingEttie · 17/10/2022 00:28

Maybe he’s just hardcore

No, he just has a less sensitive gag reflex.

Sorry you went through that, OP, it sounds horrendous.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 17/10/2022 00:29

I don’t know what I’d do if I needed this. I had a really bad reaction to sedation when I had my first wisdom teeth out, so when I had a subsequent one had that under local which was fine.

But I also have a very strong gag reflex and can’t imagine how awful this would be without.

Would they do it under general if you really couldn’t bear the thought of anything else?