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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Trumpton · 17/10/2022 00:31

Just to say that I have had two both without sedation and although not pleasant they were fine. I am good at distancing myself from unpleasant procedures though. I describe it as going to sit in the corner of my head!
See also colonoscopies and sigmoidoscopies.
I also did all my chemo appointments and operations alone. DH has come to accept that I am different to most in the way I handle things.

vipersnest1 · 17/10/2022 00:32

@WaffleFrenchToast, the feeling of rummaging around in your gut is horrible, isn't it?
I've had two flexible sigmoidoscopies, so similar to a colonoscopy. The first one was horrible - no sedation and the gas and air they gave me was no help at all. I could feel the scope constantly wriggling around and it was very painful.
For the second one, I had sedation, but still found it painful so they gave me fentanyl. It was a completely different experience!
I don't think you're a wimp - it's just that like many people, you found that experience to be 'intolerable' to use the hospital language (the report said I tolerated the first procedure with minimal discomfort - what a heap of shit - I've sent a complaint to PALS).
I'm sorry you had to experience it. Flowers

petpig · 17/10/2022 00:36

I went for no sedation because I had to fly shortly afterwards and needed to leave for the airport immediately. I didn't find it that bad tbh, compared to child birth for example. The nurse held my hand and they were very good at calming me down. I've had a colonoscopy without sedation, too. It was my sons birthday and I had to sort the party and needed to drive immediately afterwards. I found the colonoscopy probably the least traumatic!

Roomytrouser · 17/10/2022 00:42

I had a colonoscopy without sedation once and there will never be a second time.

vipersnest1 · 17/10/2022 00:42

@Anoisagusaris, what a helpful post - not.
If you want to criticise OP, just get it out there and say it, but, for the record, there are plenty of posters on the thread who found the same procedure difficult and OP herself has said she didn't have time to research (and why would she need to? The NHS should provide relevant information including what pain relief is available.
I also have similar experience of undergoing a procedure where I was told sedation wasn't routinely offered, so I assumed I couldn't ask for it, but actually I could)).
I'm wondering if you are one of the people lurking on AIBU who can't wait to stick the knife in. Hopefully you're not.

been and done it. · 17/10/2022 00:44

I had extra sedation. Didn't feel or remember a thing, but apparently I did exactly the same as you. Others opted for the puffer anaesthetic I had the cannula...they weren't able to complete it as I just couldn't tolerate the procedure. I woke up in a hospital bed after 30 minutes. Could never do it again.

WarblingEttie · 17/10/2022 00:47

What is the alternative if you can't tolerate the procedure?

BurnDownTheDiscoHangTheDJ · 17/10/2022 00:51

Not a wimp. Happened to me. I've given birth twice without anything but gas and air and had colonoscopies without sedation. So I thought I would be fine with the endoscopy sober but.... I was not. Was hysterical by the end, genuinely sobbing. I had a lovely nurse stroking my hair and going "shh shh" and thinking about it now I'm mortified (I made less fuss at medical procedures aged 7 than I did at that aged 37). It was absolutely horrible and if I ever need one again I'll make sure I'm (well) sedated.

SpangledShambles · 17/10/2022 00:52

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.

Wow your comment made me appreciate the suffragette’s immense courage even more. Also makes me angry thinking back to my 1989s education- all girls’ school, female history teacher and it was strongly implied that the suffragettes were over the top and wrong in some way.

TheSilveryPussycat · 17/10/2022 00:53

DF aged 90 had one without sedation (I'd gone with him, in case he decided he did want sedation.) He found it interesting seeing the results on a screen, IIRC.

My friend had one with sedation, but turned into a roaring beast as they put it in, and they did not go ahead as she was deemed to have withdrawn consent.

DramaAlpaca · 17/10/2022 00:56

My adult DS had one without sedation. Afterwards he told me to remind him never to do it that way again.

SpangledShambles · 17/10/2022 00:58

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.

I have regular colonoscopies and the drugs ARE top notch - I can’t imagine what OP went through, sounds unbelievably awful.

Remaker · 17/10/2022 00:58

Colonoscopies without sedation? Is the NHS moonlighting as a mediaeval torture chamber?

GuyMontag · 17/10/2022 01:00

Yeah, quite often it is.

mumofone2019 · 17/10/2022 01:02

This reply has been withdrawn

This post has been withdrawn at the poster's request due to privacy concerns.

tensmumm · 17/10/2022 01:02

I have a strong gag reflex, PTSD and emetophobia. I've requested a GA to get through mine, it's been nearly a year and I'm still waiting. I've had family die of related cancers and my symptoms impact my life every day, I really hope I get to have mine soon.

You sound very brave, not a wimp at all, and I'm sorry you had to go through such a horrible experience.

RoseAylingEllisFanClub · 17/10/2022 01:03

I had a colonoscopy under sedation and a gastroscopy last year without sedation as, being deaf, I wanted to be able to understand what they were saying easily if necessary. Also, Covid was still rampant and I didn’t really want to spend 4h on a ward recovering and struggling to understand masked people while groggy. I wanted to be out and home in an hour. It was one where I had to weigh up the pros and cons.

I was very anxious about the procedure as I have a very strong gag reflex, but they were honestly so very kind, from the consultant to the nurse who held my hand and the sign language interpreter behind her face visor, and that relaxed me a lot. They obviously thought kindness paid dividends and really looked after me. The only thing I had was the local spray at the back of my throat. I think they were very surprised I elected not to be sedated, and they all said I was really brave, but my fear of being unable to understand instructions and potentially make things worse for myself won over anything else, so I did what I had to. I’d do it again with the same team, but recognise that somewhere else I might well not have been so fortunate, as it really is not an awfully pleasant procedure, to put it mildly!

tensmumm · 17/10/2022 01:04

I've also had colonoscopy without sedation (very triggering as an abuse victim but it was OK), and given birth at home with no pain relief at all. I couldn't do the endo without being knocked out, no way.

BadNomad · 17/10/2022 01:07

I went for a colonoscopy first, no sedation, and it was no bother. I had myself built up thinking it was going to be traumatic, so I was pleasantly surprised. Then I had to go for an endoscopy. I wasn't offered sedation. Well...never again. Being held down while that tube was forced down my throat and not being able to stop it. That was the most violating medical procedure I've ever been through. You are definitely not a wimp. I'm still traumatised by it 16 years later.

Fefifobum · 17/10/2022 01:09

I have them regularly due to a condition called Achalasia. I’d say I’ve had around 14 so far all with no sedation.
I’ve also had Botox injections into the oesophagus during the procedure with still no sedation.
I’d pick no sedation every time.

jd88123 · 17/10/2022 01:11

I had an endoscopy with no sedation and although it was uncomfortable I thought it wasn't unmanageable. The nurses were annoyingly stroking my hair saying how brave I was, was a bit ott. It was uncomfortable when they put it in my stomach and felt like it blew up my stomach. I opted for it with no sedation so I could drive and go to my evening shift. I'd do it again if needed without sedation.

ittakes2 · 17/10/2022 01:35

I have had about 5 or more I think. No way would I even consider without sedation. I remember one hospital told me I was not sedated enough and they had to have an orderly hold me down. I told my doctor on my last one that I suspect I could be feisty and he said he was giving me the lightest dose...I woke to be told I had a strong dose. I guess I was feisty after all.

Yack02 · 17/10/2022 01:40

I refused to have it done unless it was under GA. The consultant tried his best to persuade me but I just kept saying no. I got the GA but had to wait around 6 months

Lancrelady80 · 17/10/2022 01:50

I had one allegedly under sedation. Don't think the sedation had any effect, I felt perfectly normal and not at all "tipsy on a Friday night" as had been promised. It was hideous.

Dh had to have one. Was encouraged to do it without sedation but with some sort of throat spray. He bitterly regretted it. They had to stop part way as he couldn't tolerate it any longer, and he needed to return two weeks later. At that point the (different) medical professional carrying out the procedure made it clear that he thought it was appalling cost-cutting on the behalf of the NHS, as very few cope okay and he thinks noone should be offered it without sedation. He was annoyed on behalf of patients, and also at the waste because he said the majority of patients who try without sedation have to come back, taking up time and appointment slots, and it would better to just do it properly to begin with. They dosed dh up to the hilt with twice as much throat spray and proper sedation, and he was still flying quite a while later having had no probs that time.

Glitterblue · 17/10/2022 02:52

You're very brave to have done it without sedation. I've never had one but I'd have to be heavily sedated. More sedated than I was when I had my hips replaced, because both times I woke up part way through and I heard all sorts - hammering, banging, drilling, sawing. Thankfully I'd had a spinal so was numb but I didn't really enjoy being so aware of what was going on. I'd told them I wanted to be as sedated as possible because I didn't want to know anything!