Transnasal endoscopy

[Min75]

Reposting here, as hoping for more replies. Please help, if you can!

I have received an appointment letter for gastroscopy upper GI endoscopy later on this month. The letter states that they will offer me the Transnasal endoscopy method, via nose instead of mouth, as they say that this is better tolerated, sedation not needed, thinner scope, less gagging etc. It also allows the patient to talk and sit in a semi upright position.

It certainly sounds better than the conventional oral route. Has anyone had this gastroscopy procedure via the nose and how did you find it? I was also informed that the procedure will be performed by a nurse, which I thought was unusual, as I expected I doctor would do it. Again, I would be grateful for any insight into this.

If there is anyone on here that works in the field of endoscopy, I would love to hear from you and also from anyone who has had these procedures. I have read up on the risks of endoscopy like perforation of the oesophagus or stomach and this terrifies me. Any help/tips would be gratefully appreciated. Thank you in advance.

I had one. It was not pleasant, scratchy, eyes watered. But over quickly.

Thank you Pinkballoon5. If anyone else has had this procedure, please post or pm me. Many thanks.

More or less, a non event. They squirt local anaesthetic in your nose/throat to numb it, and it was over in literally a couple of minutes. I got to look at the screen too, which takes your mind off any slight discomfort. Honestly, not worth dreading.

I've had one. Slight discomfort as it goes up your nose (like the covid test) but once it was in that went away. I could feel it but not painful. As a pp said. Something and nothing. Not worth dreading.

I’ve had two transnasal endoscopies as well as a gastroscopy (straight down the throat). The first transnasal endoscopy was in A&E which was a quite unpleasant but I’m not sure the person operating it did them day in, day out if you know what I mean. The second was done by an ENT consultant and it was fine. It feels a bit strange but it’s not intolerable or painful. The scope is very thin.

Gastroscopy on the other hand… I would take a transnasal endoscopy over a gastroscopy any day of the week. Good luck!

I had mine up the nose. It wasn't usual back then, he just wanted to give it a shot as I was freaking out over gagging.

It was fine. I did find it more comfortable to hold my breath as much as possible though as it seemed to block out a bit of feeling the tube down the throat. He just numbed nose up and didn't need sedation. Was pretty quick and could go home straight away.

Nothing to add OP except that it must be a great improvement over the procedure via mouth. Admittedly I do have a severe gagging reflex but even under sedation the doctor had difficulty and on one occasion he gave up trying. (And rudely blamed me as though I’d been deliberately uncooperative)
It will probably be a grit your teeth and bear it but the posters reports above are most reassuring. Good luck

Thank you all! It is reassuring to hear your experiences and opinions. Many, many thanks for posting.

I hope it goes well. I have had this procedure. I was offered nasal spray to numb the area before they began inserting the rod/instrument. I described to others as like the white expanding curtain wire, I could feel it down my throat, not up my nose, and it wasn’t pleasant. However it did not hurt. Best wishes, it lasted about 10 minutes and I took my headphones to listen to music.

I’ve had this as had a TT and had to have before and after surgery. The first one I had the anesthetiser spray, I disliked that more than the procedure tbh so for me when I returned after surgery, I declined the spray anesthetiser and just let them do the procedure.

I wouldn’t suggest that you decline the anesthetiser spray, but hopefully it reassures you the procedure is ok

@OttoGraph ah yes I didn’t have the spray either because I didn’t like the thought of my throat being numb and not being able to swallow normally. And it was fine.

I had the throat spray for the gastroscopy and had a panic attack on the table 😳

TokyoStories. I just didn’t care for the taste very much, nothing terrible. Found it much easier without and then afterwards go about my day not waiting for the anesthetiser to wear off so I could have a drink to get rid of taste

I perform these procedures (although I don't go as far as the oesophagus, we stop at the top of it). We also don't give any anaesthetic and people have swallowing tests with the camera in so I keep it in for 15 mins usually.

I've done hundreds (not a doctor, an SLT) and had many done on me without anaesthetic. You may feel a little pressure in the nose and feel a little odd but with anaesthetic, you won't feel anything really and be totally fine once it's over.

Tbh, the lidocaine anaesthetic is 🤮 - I'd opt not to have it!

Thank you all for posting and for your words of encouragement. It really helps and I can refer back to your messages as the procedure date gets closer, as my anxiety levels with increase then.

Just to add, the procedure I am having goes all the way down the nose into the oesophagus and stomach, as below. Thanks again for all your help.

https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/health-information/transnasal-endoscopy

Hello
Just wondering how your procedure was. I have refused this in the past but I still have issues so will need to reconsider