I have to have an ERCP ( endoscopy) and I'm terrified

[WhatsItAllAboutAlfie]

Hi
It appears I have almost certainly got a blocked bile duct..am jaundiced and am due for an ultrasound next week. Have been to GP again this morning to discuss and have been told if so I will have to have this ERCP.
I have had quite a few things done to me and am generally quite stoical and a hardy soul but this is making me cry just thinking about it. As long as I remember I have had a "thing" about things in my mouth and I have a really over developed gag reflex. I had to go back to the dentist 3 times to get a mould done for a crown as I was so panicky with the mould and foam in my mouth.
I've been told they only sedate you for this procedure and I don't know if I can go through with it.
Has anyone had it, got any reassuring words for me. I am wondering whether to use my DH private healthcare to have it done...do you think if I went private they would pander to my fear a bit more? Nothing against the NHS I think they're brill but probably under more time constraint etc.
Any help would be great..I'm tying myself in knots here.

My DH had this and they offer you sedation, he said it really helped. I was there with him and it was over in only a few minutes and he was fine afterwards. I think I was more upset than him!

Hi I have had it so have several family members. One had it without the sedation and said it was fine but another tried that and went for the sedation with the next one!! All us others had sedation!!! I highly advise sedation and throat spray together. It is abit uncomfortable but it really is over so quickly.

Just keep thinking that it is just a simple quick procedure. I am the same with gagging etc but am glad it was done and over with. I would think the NHS would be fine. All the people I know were nervous, both ladies in my ward with me were nervous wrecks and had sedation. the nurses are used to it. I think the hospital prefer without sedation as they can get rid of you quicker after..Good luck.

please put your mind at rest,its not so bad.i had mine done a few years ago ,it was fine.
they put a canula in my hand and gave me the sedative which works instantly {sort of gives you an out of body experience}you are aware of whats going on,able to follow instructions ect..but feel really carefree and painfree.i didnt have to change into anything,i had to lie on the bed on my side and just swallow the tube.there was about 5 people in the room,one was holding my hand and talking to me all the way through.it was over really quickly.felt a bit usteady after and i had to lie down in a ward untill i felt normal,which i think took about 30mins
hope this makes you feel a bit better and good luck.

They can sedate and throat spray (I've only ever used spray because I don't sedate). As others have said, not the most pleasant thing in the world, but over quickly...I'd rate my TOTM as more uncomfortable.

I had one a few years ago under sedation.

Was over before I knew it and not even a sore throat afterwards.

I had one done when I lived in Oman. The first attempt failed because I refused to be sedated and then the doctor refused to do it as I was panicking so much. Then I had a second try with a different doctor and sedation and it was ok. The bit beforehand is probably the worst. When you are sedated you know what is happening and you can feel the tube but it is over SO quickly and then you can't remember much about it after.

ERCP is usually done under sedation rather than just throat spray as it is a bit more fiddly than an endoscopy. Most patients don't remember anything about it aferwards.

It sounds as though your GP is jumping the gun a bit though, as you haven't had your ultrasound yet! I would stop panicking until you've had your scan, as you usually need to then be seen by an appropriate specialist (usually a surgeon or a gastroenterologist depending on what's causing the jaundice) who will discuss the next step with you - this would be either an ERCP as your GP has mentioned, or perhaps an MRCP (which is an MRI scan to look at the bile ducts/gallbladder/pancreas more closely.

Anyway, this was a longwinded way of saying I'm sure it'll be fine, and don't get upset in thinking about it just yet.

had it under sedation.
100% fine and painless.

don't worry

I haven't had that procedure, but have had several other things done under sedation (things that I would happily fight my way out of) and they have been fine. I have very little memory of what actually happened. The 24 hours afterwards felt lovely, too!

Thank you so much to all who replied..I do feel a bit better about it now and will definitely ask for maximum sedation. Need to get a grip!

you are normally given a small dose of hypnovel so you wont know anything about it. You are awake but oblivious to anything.

have you had it yet? how did it go?