Endoscopy

[loopymum69]

Has anyone had to have an endoscopy?

If so what was it like?

I'm going to have to do it with a numbing spray only and I'm so nervous I won't be able to cope!

Having the anaesthetic isn't an option as I need to drive to and from the appointment and I live too far in the sticks to use public transport!

Plus I'm alone with my kids so would have know one to look after me for 12 hours after like your supposed too with anaesthetic!

Any stories would be much appreciated 😊

I’ve had a few endoscopies a few times. It’s uncomfortable rather than painful. The first time I was nervous as hell, but listen to the nurses. They really know their stuff. It’s the time to make all your smutty jokes about gag reflexes!

By the way, the spray tastes awful!!!

Does it make you gag badly? This is the bit that worries me!

Initially it does, but they’re very quick and get it past that point if you see what I mean. Before I went in, the doctor told me exactly how long it would take (4 minutes). He was wrong, he was 7 seconds quicker!

Totally bearable. A friend of mine gave me a good tip which was to remember to keep breathing through your nose! There is so much going on around your mouth you end up focusing on that and forget to breathe!

I found it ok. It was invasive in that you have to open your mouth wide and they seem to be shoving a lot of equipment in there, which seemed to make my eyes water, but for me it wasn’t at all painful. A nurse held my hand, the gagging at the start lasted about three seconds and it really was all over in 5 mins.

Having had one, I wouldn’t worry about having the throat spray again as it’s all so quick. There was far more hanging about in the waiting area beforehand.

When I was told I had to have one, I cried a lot and the consultant let me have a HUGE dose of sedative- essentially enough to completely knock me out

So my advice is to cry and ask for lots of drugs

Ah - just seen you have to drive... I was wide awake very quickly afterwards- a strong coffee probably would have meant I could have driven, but my dp was with me so drove me home.