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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:

piprabbit · 13/05/2011 15:45

Even a colonoscopy is not too bad. The actual procedure is the easy bit. The industrial strength pooing medicine you get to clear you out in advance is the worst bit, and the farting in the recovery room is the funniest bit.

nomadwantshome · 13/05/2011 16:08

OMG I'm having this done in a few weeks. Sounds like sedation is the best way to go. Wondering what to do with the kids now.

Original poster

RichTeaAreCrap · 13/05/2011 16:22

I am having a barium ct scan too (not at the same time).

Nomad I will let you know how mine is, but I agree sedation does sound like the way to go.

OP posts:

Acekicker · 13/05/2011 17:20

I had one years ago without sedation - it was fine - you gag as it goes down your throat but then it was ok. The worst bit I found was that I kept burping all the way through in a kind of retchy way - I hated that, not because it felt nasty but because I was 19 or 20 and it was just embarrassing.

I was out shopping in town with my mum within half an hour of us being done .

Original poster

RichTeaAreCrap · 13/05/2011 22:37

OP posts:

PeachyPossum · 14/05/2011 17:43

Hi, I have done both without sedation (in for 6 mth colonoscopy tomorrow :( ) and it was fine, endoscopy was over in 10 minutes not the best 10, but flew by!, colonoscopy in 30, despite finding stuff that shouldn't be there! Worst thing is fasting and for the colonoscopy the stomach cleansing meds (dreading 7 tonight and my first batch this time round!)

Good luck!

PeachyPossum · 14/05/2011 17:43

6mth check, not a full 6mths rummaging..

Original poster

RichTeaAreCrap · 14/05/2011 21:16

Hope tonight isn't too awful for you PeachPossum, I don't envy you that.

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Celibin · 15/05/2011 07:39

This is a very common procedure - it is not pleasant but few medical things are! It is a safe procedure provided the instruments are clean - if they are not then there can be serious complications as any infection would be introduced directly into the gastro-enteric system . Only you know how you are with these things but it can be made better if you relax. It can take a bit longer if you do not relax and so advice is : relax and do not worry about this simple procedure Easier said than done

PeachyPossum · 15/05/2011 09:33

Thanks RTAC, wasn't too bad, dh says I,m pale this morning and feel a bit under the weather, looking forward to chocolate dinner tonight when we get back from the hospital!

The tests are over so quick, it is the idea of it all thats worse! Let us know how you get on, and focus on after the test in your mind, how nice it will be when its all over! xx

Keziahhopes · 15/05/2011 15:36

Hi - had endoscopy and colonoscopy. Endoscopy was fine - mild sedation, had a sleep through it, was in recovery for 30 minutes and then could go home after met the discharge nurse. Back at work the next day, as a teacher, no problem.

Colonoscopy - first with sedation, it was fine (worse was the 2 days before on limited food and nasty medicine and side effects - yuk) and one without as it was only to sigmoid and although not nice was nothing that 2 painkillers couldn't deal with. I have to have them yearly, just getting used to them sadly!

Hope it is a helpful procedure for you.

Original poster

RichTeaAreCrap · 18/05/2011 17:40

Well I had mine done today. I opted for the sedation.

My heart was racing though so they had to try and calm me down and then they had some problem finding a vein for the needle. In the end the doctor took over from the nurse and managed to get a vein and put a canular in it. I remember him spraying my throat and it tightening up, they lying on my side. He told me I wouldn't be totally out and would be able to hear him talking and I do remember him saying 'open' a few times, although that may have been him telling me to swallow!! I vaguely remember retching throughout it and a nurse telling me it was ok (god knows what happened or whether I was sick on her). Next thing I remember was being wheeled to recovery - stayed there half an hour, had a cup of tea and then was allowed to leave. I have been sleepy this afternoon at home.

Overall it wasn't half as bad as I expected it to be and I wouldn't be as nervous if I had to have it done again.

OP posts:

Winetimeisfinetime · 18/05/2011 17:57

Glad to hear it's all done RichTea and wasn't too bad for you. Now you'll be able to join in with the reassurances next time someone posts asking what it is like :)

mrspear · 18/05/2011 18:00

I watched my husband have this done. I wish he had proper sedation instead of the calming pill. I won't go any further as i don't wish to stop you having it done. Personally i would go for sedation. He said he would if he had to have it done again.

mrspear · 18/05/2011 18:01

Sorry didn't read till the end glad it went well

PeachyPossum · 18/05/2011 20:25

Glad it went ok xx

cardamomginger · 18/05/2011 23:05

Have the sedation! The stuff I had has a short-term amnesiac effect. When it was all over I started apologising profusely - as I had no recollection of them doing it I thought that I'd done something wrong and they hadn't been able to do it. Fantastic stuff . Also they can spray a local anaesthetic on the back of your throat which can really help to control the gag reflex. It was absolutely fine and after an hour or so I was fine to go home. They said to get a can or a lift, but I felt OK to go home on the tube. Not recommedning anyone else does this though. I was a bit spaced out for the rest of the day, which was all right. Farted like mad though cos they pump your abdomen full of CO2 so they can get a better look at things.

cardamomginger · 18/05/2011 23:07

Oops - didn;t read rest of thread! So pleased it went well for you and hope the results are good. X

Baffledandbewildered · 18/05/2011 23:18

Oh well done I'm glad it wasn't too bad for you x

piprabbit · 19/05/2011 12:14

Well done for going through with it - I'm so glad for you that it is over now.

wakeupandsmellthecoffee · 23/05/2011 13:01

See rich tea it wasnt so bad was it . Glad it went ok .

stargazy · 23/05/2011 14:05

Just had mine this am and tbh less uncomfortable than the barium enema a couple of weeks ago.Opted for sedation and don't remember anything after mouth guard being put in and had a lovely sleep for 1/2 hour after.
Found a small hiatus hernia-but that wouldn't explain why my ferritin levels so low so guess will just have to wait for results from barium and next blood tests and hope it's coming back up.Feeling generally better so hope so.To anyone else having endoscopy with sedation would say don't worry - not as bad as it sounds!

Original poster

RichTeaAreCrap · 23/05/2011 15:44

Glad yours went ok too stargazy - they found a hernia when they did mine too.

It really is ok and no need to be nervous for anyone having this done. I was really scared about it but it is fine if you have the sedation.

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