Am I a wimp?! Endoscopy without sedation!

[WaffleFrenchToast]

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? 😉

Or fentanyl as pp said.

Exactly so. I’ve had several endoscopies and two colonoscopies and each time I’ve been offered either a full general anaesthetic or medium sedation, by which I mean that I remained conscious and aware but not distressed. In the latter cases, I was able to go home later the same day. As for coping techniques, the post upthread about mind over matter is it really, just focus on the logicality of the situation: that it’s being done for a reason, yes it’s unpleasant but it won’t go on forever, you can get through this, relax and just breathe. Easier said than done for some, I know. I do the same with MRIs, I get really claustrophobic and very, very panicky and just have to close my eyes and remember to breathe, I focus on my breath. Not easy.

You are definitely not a wimp because you’re struggling with this, especially if you weren’t offered any sedation/anaesthesia to help. I’d no idea that they’d carry such procedures without offering some sort of sedative aid.

People do get these without sedation but not me! I have had two and always with sedation. I have had several colonoscopies also with sedation in fact with the last one I was given Fentanyl and Midazolam which was dreamy 😂. There are no medals given out for people who don't take advantage of what is available.

Ugh. This brings back memories. I've with sedation and without. 1st time was with sedation and it was a relatively pleasant experience, I don't remember much but I do remember coming out with a smile on my face - this could have been due to the fact they had figured out why I was in pain after a Dr told me I was faking it. I digress. A few months after, I had a follow up endoscopy and my BP was too low to be sedated. It was awful I remember gagging, burping and crying my eyes out. I remember the nurse trying to dry my tears but from what I remember it was horrific.

My husband had one without sedation and was wretching that hard, he came home with tiny red dots all around his eyes that were burst blood vessels. If I had to have another, it would be with sedation or not at all

I’ve had two or three - I’m not allowed sedation due to asthma. Each time I have fought back, kicked one nurse over and ended up with two nurses lying across me to stop moving.
You are not a wimp, don’t worry.

@FuckFuckGo oh maybe that explains it, there was an anaesthetist at my egg collection so I probably had either of those you mention!

I don't know what i had but it knocked me out. I'm in Ireland though so not through the NHS. I was told to have someone drive me home afterwards though so probably the good stuff 😅

I was invited for a hysteroscopy during covid times and got told due to covid they were doing seduation or GA as per usual, I had a leaflet posted to me explaining I needed to take paracetamol and ibuprofen before the procedure.

I refused the procedure entirely.