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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:
ptsdmum · 17/10/2022 09:13

Endoscopy without sedation is one of the worst experiences of my life, and I am no wimp. It was very unpleasant and also quite scary, and if I ever need another I will be taking the sedation.

OnTheRunWithMannyMontana · 17/10/2022 09:14

100% not a wimp. I had it without sedation because I'm terrified of needles. It was without doubt the worst experience of my life. At one point the nurse had to lie on the bed behind me and hold on to me because I was struggling so much. Never ever again.

KatMcBundleFace · 17/10/2022 09:19

I had one without sedation because I was told I would be free to leave more quickly etc.

That was a lie. They LOCKED everyone in afterwards. Sedated or not.

They "forgot" me in my room..... they discharged everyone else ahead of me....
Why didn't I just have the drugs?
What was the point of being brave?

I really am very easy going normally and I fully appreciate the work NHS staff do, but that, that really upset me.

Bonjovispjs · 17/10/2022 09:22

You're not a wimp, was genuinely the worse experience of my life. I was told you can only have sedation if you have someone with you to escort you home. I didn't even bother asking anyone as i had no idea how horrific it would be. Second time, i managed to find someone to go with me, so had sedation, was a completely different experience, breezed through it.

vipersnest1 · 17/10/2022 20:54

@Goosygandy, sorry to reply so long after your post.
I felt so violated (sorry, but that's the only word to describe it), by my first experience that I wrote an email to PALS.
And yes, it was all about it making it easier and more efficient for the medical personnel involved. It was very much a case of being on a conveyor belt that had no inter-personal skills at all. Ultimately, the first procedure was a huge waste of time and NHS resources - but I wasn't responsible for that.

Ttpetals · 17/10/2022 20:57

I've had 3 and I've always been sedated. I don't remember a thing thank goodness

ScarlettnotOHara · 17/10/2022 20:58

Had one about a month ago, I was sedated and even then it wasn’t pleasant. Lady after me wasn’t and looked shell shocked after it.

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 17/10/2022 21:02

I have them without sedation because I prefer to just be able to get up and leave with no delay afterwards. It's an unpleasant procedure, but once you've had it done once you know exactly what to expect so it's far less unnerving the second time around and so on. By far and away the most upsetting thing for me was the nurse, completely unasked and unannounced, decided to stroke my forehead throughout. I hate being touched by strangers, so this disturbed me much more so than the endo. As I couldn't speak the only thing I could do was physically remove her hand with my own, which I really shouldn't have had to if she'd had the courtesy to ask if I minded being touched beforehand.

HorribleHerstory · 17/10/2022 21:04

I had mine without sedation, because I walked to the hospital and needed to walk back, getting the kids from school on the way, and I didn’t have anyone to be with me. If I remember correctly sedation meant I staying longer, which I couldn’t do.

it was pretty grim as an experience but I ‘was able to avoid fighting it, I can imagine if I had, or my body had without my consent, it would have been even more difficult, so sorry you had that experience OP. From the experience of being in the recovery area with several others who had had the same, but had sedation, I think I’d still choose no sedation though. I’m really uncomfortable with being out of it, I’d rather live it all even when it’s crap, but we all do things differently.

you are in no way a wimp, that’s why they offer different ways of doing it, but I do believe it’s known to be a difficult procedure, reckon that’s why they have two people in there doing it to you, one to calm you down.

take it easy for a few days, have soft foods and give yourself time to get over it, it’s not a small thing.

Olivetreebutter · 17/10/2022 21:05

Not a wimp at all. I thought I was going to choke on my own spit and vomit and would just die there on the table.
I was sobbing, choking, burping and crying and the nurse told me afterwards I'd done incredibly well. I assumed she was mocking me, but maybe lack of physical violence was actually deemed a success...
Honestly the procedure should come with an advisory! It was definitely sold to me as do it without sedation unless you really can't cope. I very nearly fought back when they tried to go up my nose.

Lozzybear · 17/10/2022 21:07

I had one without sedation because the hospital put pressure on me not to be sedated. I am so annoyed that I gave in to them. It was dreadful. Never again.

Worthyornot · 17/10/2022 21:08

I had one done in my home country and I was horrified at how many procedures here are done without sedation. I read a thread on here about hysteroscopies done so routinely here without sedation. My gynae back home said it's actually barbaric and I agree.

TwoleftUggs · 17/10/2022 21:10

I had one recently with sedation and it was honestly the worst and most frightening experience of my life. The sedation just didn’t work for me - I said to the doctor as he was starting that I didn’t feel any different yet and they just said you’ll be fine and won’t remember much after, and carried on with it. It was awful I just gagged and gagged, and felt like I was choking to death. I definitely remember every terrifying second of it and I’m usually quite a brave person when it comes to procedures. So I don’t think you’re a wimp either OP.

StickofVeg · 17/10/2022 21:13

YANBU my DC had one recently - he was very glad he had sedation!

reigatecastle · 17/10/2022 21:21

My mum has had it done without sedation about three times - for much the same reasons as others - it's quicker, she can drive herself home etc. I don't think it was pleasant on any occasion. I think each time she has said "I am going to have sedation this time" and then they've persuaded her not to.

You are not a wimp OP; I sincerely hope I never have to have one.

TheLassWiADelicateAir · 17/10/2022 21:35

Remaker · 17/10/2022 00:58

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

It's up to the patient. You're given a choice but if you have sedation someone must collect you. I've had 2 with no sedation. My husband wasn't available to collect so there wasn't a choice. It was fine so I did the second one also with no sedation, again no issues.

Endoscopy sounds awful.

TalbotAMan · 17/10/2022 21:40

It was pretty unpleasant but it only lasted for five minutes, and I wasn't knocked out for the rest of the day.

Having one inserted into my bladder was worse . . .

PipinwasAuntieMabelsdog · 17/10/2022 21:43

I had one without sedation, just the numbing spray. I have autism and don't like feeling out of control or woozy, makes me panic and meltdown. They gave me G&A in labour and it was awful. I sat in the corner of the room, crying and kicking out and I could not even respond to DH. The hospital were great and I think my consultant was a good driver of the thing, because they knew about my needs. They also let me lie on my side and have DH in with me to reassure, so that I didn't meltdown.

BetsyBigNose · 17/10/2022 21:43

I have had 14 endoscopies. I always ask for maximum sedation and I still warn them I'll fight them, so they'll have to pin me down! It's horrible and you're not a wimp. Flowers

Grigorisangel · 17/10/2022 21:54

I had one to confirm I had coeliacs disease. I was definitely influenced to have it without sedation and it was truly horrific. I would rather give birth any day than go through that again.
I would tell anyone who was to have one to have everything on offer and put up with having to stay in the hospital for a few hours rather than go through it without for a quick release.
in fact it was so bad I wouldn’t actually have one again unless it was a life or death situation

Newuser82 · 18/10/2022 06:37

I had one without sedation. It was the worst thing I've ever had done. I'd never have another one with no sedation.

FourTeaFallOut · 18/10/2022 06:47

Oh God, I opted for no sedation expecting something delicate and star-trek like and instantly regretted my choice when the hose came out.

generalh · 18/10/2022 07:04

I did. I found it ok but gagged the whole time. The nurse held my hand. I was a bit tired afterwards though. Back in work the next day.

Natsku · 18/10/2022 07:05

TalbotAMan · 17/10/2022 21:40

It was pretty unpleasant but it only lasted for five minutes, and I wasn't knocked out for the rest of the day.

Having one inserted into my bladder was worse . . .

The bladder one is very unpleasant! I had two, the first one was so painful (luckily I made sure I had strong painkillers at the right time before it, to help) though was pretty cool watching the camera view, but the second one I had a spinal block and it was great, couldn't feel a thing.

lawandgin · 18/10/2022 07:20

Everything @FurryDandelionSeekingMissile said! I got fighty even with sedation 🤷‍♀️ you're not a wimp OP!

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