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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Terrified of endoscopy

142 replies

Rumors1 · 18/09/2024 09:57

I was referred for a scope last Feb, a week later I got a call from the hospital and I was told it would be about 2/3 months away. I hadnt heard anything since and didnt follow up as I am so scared. I received a voicemail from the hospital this morning from that dept asking me to call back. I imagine its to book me in. I am really worried about getting this done, its one of my big fears.

I suffer from panic attacks around breathing and my throat, im really scared of any choking feeling. I mentioned it to the nurse on the first call and she tried to reassure me saying she would give me a numbing spray and I wouldnt feel anything. The thoughts of a numbing spray makes me panic more as I would be worried about choking and not feeling it.

The procedure is because I am having a lot of reflux and stomach issues, I am on methotrexate which can cause stomach inflammation. I am also due to have a colonoscopy at the same time due to IBS.
The logical part of me knows I should get it done but I feel physically sick at the thoughts of it.
I had my stomach pumped about 30 years ago, I resisted and was held down and the tube forced down my throat, it was a horrific experience and I know is contributing to my fear.
I would love to hear from people in my situation who had it done. I know most people wouldnt like this done but I am talking a different level fear.

OP posts:

Sethera · 30/09/2024 12:05

The consultant then started to put the tube in but I felt no effects from the sedation or throat spray and I started gagging and choking.

That was exactly my experience. Fortunately the nurse who was with me was kind and sympathetic and my consultant went as quickly as possible - but the best medics in the world couldn't have made the procedure any less awful.

Original poster

Rumors1 · 30/09/2024 12:30

Thanks guys, I will link in with my GP about the new referral and see when I can get another appt.
@Cheesecakecookie I am in Ireland but thanks :)

The reason for the referral is nausea, reflux, some regurgitation, liquids getting stuck and pain in stomach. I am on medication that can cause stomach inflammation.
I was so upset but DH said to put it behind me and to be proud of myself for going in.

Good to know with the propofol I will be out of it, the thoughts of going through this again :(

OP posts:

Caerulea · 30/09/2024 18:30

What an absolute cock of a man! It's an incredibly invasive & violating procedure, it's not remotely surprising ppl wig out, I was a mess (with just numbing spray), convulsing, choking, crying but the ppl were really kind & spoke to me & stroked me (and held me down 😬)
Not remotely your fault & I would absolutely complain about that prick & his bedside manner.

Glimber · 30/09/2024 20:33

@Caerulea "What an absolute cock of a man!" bears repeating.

He cannot, just cannot do this all day every day. The fact that anyone suggested you complain means this is NOT normal. I'm so sorry that happened to you. Another day, another person, another drug and you will be ticking all the boxes to make round 2 a completely different experience. But mainly, not with that awful awful man.

Gonk123 · 30/09/2024 20:45

Your husband is right - you really should be proud.

can they change the tablets they fear are causing this? See if something else will work?

Gall10 · 01/10/2024 10:29

So sorry that you had this awful experience Rumors1….i was given midazolam and pethidine….dont remember a thing about it. Hope you have a better experience next time.

Original poster

Rumors1 · 01/10/2024 14:12

@Gonk123 hopefully, I have appt tomorrow and I will ask them.

OP posts:

Emmanuelll · 01/10/2024 20:56

Rumors1 · 30/09/2024 09:31

Hi, so things didnt go well for me on Saturday. I wasnt too anxious waiting to get it done. I was prepped and waiting for almost 1.5 hours but I did my best to relax in the bed. The nurse told me that most people fall asleep with the sedation and dont remember a thing.

I was wheeled in and once in the room I got a bit tearful. I had two wonderful nurse who were very reassuring and calming and told me I would be fine. I got the throat spray (was nervous about this but the nurse did 3 quick sprays and told me to swallow). She then administered the sedation, told me to turn on my side and put in the mouth guard.
I felt I couldnt breathe properly but she told me to breathe through my nose and that I had nasal oxygen so was fine. I closed my eyes and really tried to relax. I had to keep swallowing which was uncomfortable with the mouth guard in.

The consultant then started to put the tube in but I felt no effects from the sedation or throat spray and I started gagging and choking. I panicked and pulled his arm to remove the tube.
He started to get cross with me and said "I dont know why people consent to these procedures when they are so anxious".

The nurses tried to calm me and said they would give me more sedation. The consultant was pacing at the foot of the bed making me feel under so much pressure.
He waited about a minute after the second dose of sedation before going at it again. I still felt no sedation and immediately started gagging again and panicking.

He again showed his frustration with me and make the same comment again about why consent when I cant go through with it. He said he couldnt do the procedure now and would have to move onto the colonoscopy.

The next thing I knew I was back on the ward. The nurse came in and I asked if he did the endoscopy in the end and she said no. I was very upset and cried for about 45 mins (probably exacerbated by the meds).

I was so upset about the behaviour of the doctor, I cant believe he was so insensitive and unprofessional. The ward manager advised me to make a complaint about him.
The report he drew up said I was very anxious and despite adequate sedation the procedure couldnt be performed.
I said I might have had adequate sedation but I wasnt afforded adequate time to let it take effect. If he had to have awaited a couple more minutes after the second sedation, I would have been asleep.
I have to go back through the referral process again to have it done with propofol.

I'm so sorry you had such an awful experience. This is so unfair. If you weren't sedated he shouldn't have been doing it. What a useless doctor.

Cantbelievethatimafoolagain · 01/10/2024 21:56

When I had it done the nurses were all lovely. The doctor wasn't so friendly and seemed irritated that he had to be there. I've always noticed nurses are more friendly than drs.

sashh · 02/10/2024 00:05

Sorry it didn't go well OP.

JohnSt1 · 02/10/2024 00:38

I'm given fentanyl when I have it done. I have one due in two weeks.

I didn't take sedation a couple of times, and didn't find it an unpleasant experience.

Cesarina · 02/10/2024 03:52

Binman · 18/09/2024 10:03

Have sedation no question. I have had 2 one with and one without, my gag reflex isn't great but with sedation I didn't know anything about it. I woke up and it was done.

I got through it the first time without sedation, because like you, I was told a numbing spray would help, but it was very difficult, even with a great team and I tried to pull the tube out.

Given your history I wouldn't even attempt it without it.

@Rumors1 Yes!!! Sedation!!!
I had an endoscopy - thought I'd be fine without sedation, (only because I stubbornly wanted to be able to drive myself home when it suited me), plus the staff did more or less persuade me that I'd be ok. I never realised this could have been because not having sedation was much cheaper!
But it was awful. Truly.
All the other PPs who recommend sedation are completely correct. I would never ever have another endoscopy without it.

StJills360 · 16/05/2025 22:19

Hi - did you manage to get your propofol appointment in the end OP? (hoping everything worked out well).

I know it's a pretty rare -ve experience overall - but I am glad you can move forward even after it (for me, that's what I am afraid of, I would just give up)

Panterusblackish · 16/05/2025 23:06

Even with double dose sedation i couldn't do it either OP and I was very relaxed about it as I didn't realise how horrific it would be!

Luckily my consultant wasn't a knob about it.

StJills360 · 19/05/2025 20:41

Cesarina · 02/10/2024 03:52

Show quote history

I read somewhere internal cost to NHS is about £390 - so I think more time pressures than costs unfortunately

Keepthecat · 19/05/2025 21:11

Take whatever they can offer you. You can be out altogether for the few minutes it takes, or you can be in a twilight state or you can just have the numbing spray. But if they understand your history they'll help you as much as they can. I've had two and remember very little about either of them. It doesn't hurt and it's quick. Honestly, it's not going to be as bad as you think. Good luck - tell them about what happened to you and they will make sure it doesn't happen again.

Tinatubby73 · 19/05/2025 21:34

I had one quite recently with the numbing spray and never again.i felt I couldn't breathe and as others have said I was panicking..go for the sedation as I definitely will next time

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