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Original poster

Endoscopy - be honest, what is it like?

73 replies

RichTeaAreCrap · 09/05/2011 12:29

I am booked in for an endoscopy soon and dreading it.

Can you tell me what it's like. Be very straight and tell me warts and all! I am nervous about it but would rather know the truth about it so I know what to expect. I find it easier if I am prepared for it.

I am thinking about having it with sedation.

Come and share your horror stories with me.

OP posts:
KnottyLocks · 09/05/2011 12:56

I had one with sedation and didn't have a bloody clue what was going on after they fitted my mouthpiece. I could have been abducted by aliens and wouldn't have been any the wiser.

KnottyLocks · 09/05/2011 12:56

You will need someone to drive you home, btw!

pineappleupsidedownpudding · 09/05/2011 13:01

Mine was fine with sedation didn't notice a thing. My mum has had it done without being sedated and she said that was ok,so.. I would go for sedation and a driver!

Original poster
RichTeaAreCrap · 09/05/2011 14:50

Yes, they gave me an information leaflet and it says I need to have someone to drive me home if I have it done with sedation.

OP posts:
bucsal · 09/05/2011 17:43

I've had 2 endoscopies, both with mild sedation and it's a breeze. Don't remember a thing!

adamschic · 09/05/2011 17:51

I had one with sedation. Didn't know anything about it and had someone to drive me home. I wouldn't fancy it without sedation.

NoodieRoodie · 09/05/2011 18:00

I agree with everyone else, definately have sedation. My first DH had 2, one without and the second with. During the second one I was with him (v. nice doctor asked if I wanted to stay) and after he was back on the ward he kept dozing them waking up and asking me if it was time to have it done yet!

Trifle66 · 09/05/2011 18:41

i had one without sedation and it was horrible kept gagging as the tube was pushed down

Original poster
RichTeaAreCrap · 09/05/2011 19:00

Yes, its the gagging that I would dread - I am sure I would be sick all over them as they pushed the camera down.

If you are sedated how long does it take to come round afterwards - I will go for sedation I think but I am also nervous about that!

OP posts:
Bicnod · 09/05/2011 19:06

I had it without sedation and it was not a pleasant experience but it was fine. You just have to remember you CAN still breathe (through your nose) and focus on something in the distance and try not to think about what's happening. The lovely nurse who was in with me held my hand the whole time which really helped.

I really really hate the feeling of being drugged which is why I went for no sedation.

Bicnod · 09/05/2011 19:08

By the way - even if you don't have sedation they still numb the back of your throat with a spray so it doesn't hurt when they put the tube down.

KnottyLocks · 09/05/2011 19:08

The sedation is concious sedation so you aren't totally asleep but have no real awareness of what's going on. Once the endo is over, you 'come round' very quickly but feel as if you are tipsy for a while. Marvellous!

BlingLoving · 09/05/2011 19:11

Go for sedation. I had a couple (3) and the greater sedation is better! Grin

If it's a good, easy one, no problems after but please bear in mind that if they have to wiggle the scope around, you may have a dots and bruised throat or even tender inside. So be prepared for that.

Ungratefulchild · 09/05/2011 19:13

I had one without the sedation and it was unpleasant but bearable. I would def have sedation if I had to have one again.

Original poster
RichTeaAreCrap · 09/05/2011 20:22

Seems like sedation is the way to go Grin

OP posts:
megagusset · 09/05/2011 20:31

I've had three endoscopies, all with sedation. In the last one I 'surfaced' a little at the beginning and remember the specialist putting a sort of wedge between my teeth to stop me biting the 'scope (routine btw), don't rem anything else, and felt fine afterwards. Sedation is nothing - an injection in the arm, you close you eyes and wake up in the recovery room. piece of cake.

Original poster
RichTeaAreCrap · 10/05/2011 07:30

I don't want to remember a thing about it.

OP posts:
Imnotaslimjim · 10/05/2011 08:28

I had one without sedation, and I'm sorry to say it was the worst experience of my life! It was over and done with in 2 or 3 minutes and I think I was lucky to get 3 full breaths in before I retched again. The nurses were lovely, even when I threw up all over them as the camera came back out! Apart from the choking feeling, it wasn't too bad, but I would suggest getting the sedation if its possible (it wasn't an option for me, they didn't offer it)

Winetimeisfinetime · 10/05/2011 12:22

Definitely go for sedation if you can. I found the throat numbing spray ( which tasted of bananas ) made me feel like I couldn't breathe and a bit panicy but it soon settled down.

For some reason though, my sedation didn't work and I was fully conscious thoughout - also had a colonoscopy with the same consultant and again the sedation didn't work. I have to say it was unpleasant - I gagged quite a lot but it was bearable. I would want sedation that worked if I had it again. Throat was a bit sore afterwards but it was all back to normal after a day or two.

Original poster
RichTeaAreCrap · 10/05/2011 12:39

I will go for sedation.

How long do you have to stay in after it? I mean how long does the sedation take to wear off and for you to wake up and feel half human again?

OP posts:
saoirse86 · 10/05/2011 12:46

I had one with just local anaesthetic in my throat when I was 18 and I didn't think it was that bad. It made me gag and wasn't pleasant but what medical procedure is?! I was far happier having the local anaesthetic and just beig done with it so I could go home.

I hate being out of control so sedation wouldn't be my way of dealing with it anyway really. And the room everyone was recovering in looked really depressing.

I think it's about 6 hours with sedation but can't remember as it was a few years ago.

Original poster
RichTeaAreCrap · 10/05/2011 12:50

6 hours? Thats a long time, I imagined it would be quicker than that.

OP posts:
saoirse86 · 10/05/2011 12:52

I might be wrong but I remember it seeming like a really long time.

saoirse86 · 10/05/2011 12:53

Just googled it and looks like I'm talking rubbish. Apparently it's 1-2 hours. But I'm sure I remember it being longer. Confused

Original poster
RichTeaAreCrap · 10/05/2011 13:29

Ok, suppose I will know soon enough! Thanks for looking though.

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