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AIBU?

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Original poster

Anyone had an endoscopy? Really anxious about mine

42 replies

sharonau · 12/03/2025 00:20

Hi
So I have an endoscopy booked for Thursday due to severe acid reflux which has been going on since last year and PPI hasn't been working for me despite being on a high dose.

I had a colonoscopy last month and that was nowhere near as bad as what I expected and was fine.

I am really anxious about the endoscopy as I have read that you can get pancreatitis from the procedure.

Just looking for reassurance as I have really bad health anxiety.

Thanks in advance x

OP posts:
Katemax82 · 12/03/2025 00:23

My son who's autistic has had 2, one at age 16 one at 18. He coped fine with them and they're really helpful in diagnosis of your reflux

Ooohee · 12/03/2025 00:25

They’re fine, it’s all over so quickly. Have the sedative if you can just to make it easier.

Original poster
sharonau · 12/03/2025 00:26

@Katemax82
Awe bless him, that's really young, that's reassuring, thank you for sharing xx

OP posts:
backawayfatty1 · 12/03/2025 00:27

I had one which went down my nose to look into my throat - was completely fine. I'm due to get one to check my stomach & the comments I've read are not too bad & generally say accept any throat spray etc offered. It will be over very quickly too! Good luck

Original poster
sharonau · 12/03/2025 00:49

Thank you @ooooohnoooooo @backawayfatty1

I don't think I can have the sedation as I have to look after my children the next day ( something about 24 hours you can't do certain things).

OP posts:
DreamingOfaLife · 12/03/2025 00:58

Hi, i have had an endoscopy on several occasions, in my experience if you ask for sedation it really helps. Although you are technically not out cold i can never remember past the insertion of a teeth guard being put in to feed the tube through! I always wake up in recovery and all over and done with. Your throat will be sore for upto 24 hours later and if thats the case, lots of cold drink, ice cream or lollies help. The difference with the sedation is that you cannot drive yourself home, you stay in for an extra hour or two and that they prefer you to have someone at home during the night incase you are to groggy to look after yourself or dependents.
Good luck with it, rest assured the prospect is much scarier than reality, if you think of any other questions do come back to me and best of luck , you've got this!

Shirtella · 12/03/2025 00:58

Had one today. It all went well. Don’t worry.

Talkingfrog · 12/03/2025 01:00

I had one last year.

They did basic checks first. The nurse went through everything and explained what would happen. I chose sedation - I was awake, but think it made me feel more relaxed.
I was given a throat spray before it started and when ready was asked to swallow the camera device ( felt like swallowing a large tablet). The dr talked me through what she was doing throughout the proceedure.
Could feel it in my throat but it wasn't painful and didn't hurt.

I went to recovery afterwards. I was told what had been seen, but needed to wait for the biopsy results, which took a few weeks.

If you are nervous talk it through with the nurse first.

Triptraptrippytap · 12/03/2025 01:10

I wouldn’t have one without sedation. The second one I had was horrendous, as they didn’t give me enough sedation.

XWKD · 12/03/2025 01:24

I have them regularly. They're perfectly fine. I've had it with and without sedation. I take the sedation now, but I wouldn't mind going without.

I have always been back to normal the next day after sedation. I'd wait 24 hours to drive, but I wouldn't think twice about minding children. Driving against medical advice could get you into trouble if you were in an accident -whether you were at fault or not.

Butterfly44 · 12/03/2025 01:38

Yes my teen child had one. Went for sedation. Out after an hour. Said it was fine

CrownOfEagleFeathers · 12/03/2025 01:43

I wouldn't have one again because the sedation didn't work on me. If you know it works on you, should be fine!

I don't recommend one without sedation. It's not long but it's deeply unpleasant.

greenleader · 12/03/2025 02:44

I've had a couple of these. Without sedation as I couldn;t meet their requirement that I would have to have someone with me for 24 hours afterwards, so just the numbing throat spray.

Not the most fun I have ever had but, as other posters have said, they work quickly and it is all done in a few minutes. My main problem was supressing my gag-reflex, the best tip the theatre nurse gave me was to focus on my breathing, deep breaths in and out. Distracts from the gag reflex I think.

GRex · 12/03/2025 03:28

You should definitely get sedation, I did and it was fine as I basically blanked out most of the procedure. I have an awful gag reflex and slightly know I vomited, plus it did feel raw and bruised the next day. Sedation makes a bad experience tolerable. My procedure was about 1pm; I came round at some point and was walked home still feeling a bit spacey, felt normal enough to do an urgent bit of work from 4pm (just tired) and had an earlyish night. Zero effects the next day apart from the sore throat. If you have anxiety, then it's even more important to protect yourself by getting the sedation.

HundredAcreOwl · 12/03/2025 04:26

sharonau · 12/03/2025 00:49

Thank you @ooooohnoooooo @backawayfatty1

I don't think I can have the sedation as I have to look after my children the next day ( something about 24 hours you can't do certain things).

I've had one, with sedation. I needed someone to drive me home, and was warned not to sign any documents or make important decisions etc. for 24 hours, but was able to cook and look after the dog as soon as I was back. I did have someone else in the house I trust.

I didn't have dependant children though, could you call in a favour just in case?

I chose sedation because my condition was affecting me and mine badly, and I couldn't afford for the endoscopy not to work. I was awake the whole time, remember apologising for the burps etc., but It gave me the diagnosis I needed.

Really really hoping everything goes well for you.

garlictwist · 12/03/2025 04:29

I have. They gave me sedation and apparently I tired to fight the nurse when she was putting it in (I have no memory of this). They must have upped the dosage after that as I was asleep. You could ask for drugs?

Ski4130 · 12/03/2025 04:56

I had one done about a year ago, without sedation as I needed to drive afterwards, and it was fine. Wouldn’t want to do one too often,,but it’s definitely do-able if needs must. The nurse who was in the room with me was lovely and even held my hand to start with as I was a bit nervous, but it was over within 10 minutes and I just had a bit of a sore throat for a day afterwards.

Wishyouwerehere50 · 12/03/2025 04:59

Sedation definitely. The throat numbing spray was the hard part because the sensation is quite scary; not feeling your throat. But if you go in knowing it's not going to cause any problems and breathe deeply,. I've had loads.

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 12/03/2025 05:01

My db has had a few. Take the sedative is his advice. He didn’t take it first time and regretted it. He now always takes a sedative for any of those of procedures.

Difficultwill · 12/03/2025 05:25

I had one without sedation. Focus on something nice and your breathing. Numbing throat spray first then a teeth guard in so you don’t bite the tube. I watched it on the screen which was very interesting and distracting but not for everyone. It is not the most fun I have ever had but over in a few minutes and then done and dusted. Just think of your children and happy thoughts and you will get through it. Try not to worry. Good luck. Pancreatitis is vanishing rare after a normal upper GI endoscopy so don’t worry about this.

littlemisspickles · 12/03/2025 05:45

I had without sedation and would NOT choose to do that way again.

terracelane23 · 12/03/2025 05:57

I had one around 4 weeks ago. I've had one before without sedation and couldn't manage it but with the sedation it was ok. Dont worry about the 24 hour thing. I followed their advice to not drive etc afterwards for 24 hours but was fine to go to work. It was quite mild. I was texting hubby around 15 mins after the procedure so it's not like being asleep and totally out of it. I googled positive endoscopy stores and they helped with some techniques.

Zanatdy · 12/03/2025 07:12

I have had 15 at least. EUS or ERCP as I have a damaged pancreas caused by a rogue gallstone. I was terrified during my first one, but with sedation I remembered very little. My later ones I had a light GA as due to strong painkillers thanks to pancreatitis the sedation stopped working. You’ll be fine, the sedation will ensure you’re out of it.

MissingCanine · 12/03/2025 07:14

Much easier than a colonoscopy. Slightly uncomfortable when it goes down your throat but I found it fine and nothing to worry about

Zanatdy · 12/03/2025 07:14

Also it’s an ERCP you get pancreatits from, not a general endoscopy which you will be having. I had 10 ERCP’s and got acute pancreatitis 4 times but from the 10 plus basic endoscopy / EUS I never got pancreatitis, and I had a very inflamed pancreas anyway so much higher chance. I eventually had a whipple surgery so thankfully endoscopies / ERCP are in the past.