endoscopy. i put it off for 14 years...please tell me how bad it really is.

[VicarInaTutuDrankSantasSherry]

i had a consultants appointment today for reflux which is now a huge problem for me, causing a barking cough, loss of voice, laryngospasms and im on 4 different types of medication for it.

the time has come to do something about it. I had put off seeking help because i knew i would need an endoscopy and absolutely everything about this procedure scares the shit out of me.

i have given birth naturally and i would honestly rather do that again than do this.
i am so scared. the consultant has said he will put me down for sedation and the numbing spray but i really am just dreading it to the point i asked them not to tell me how long it would take to get an appointment because i would just fret and worry about it and i want to enjoy xmas. The nurse tried to be lovely about it and said it will take 3 or 4 minutes and that i will be fine, but i am dreading it so much i cant explain how frightened i am of having it done save to say that i have endured 14 years of chronic reflux rather than have it!

please talk to me about it if you have had it done.

Ive had it done through sedation and throat numbing. It wasn't as bad as I envisaged. I am a scaredy cat on a grand scale but like you I had no choice in the end. It takes about 3 mins good luck op

the procedure itself is 5 minutes max I was awake)
the numbing spray is unimaginably strong, you feel like your throats got up and left
it isnt nice because its an internal procedure
you wear all your own clothes and shoes without getting undressed
if your doctor is agreeable a couple of valium and no sedation would get you in and out of the hospital more quickly
with your long term problems this procedure is way way worth it

does that help at all?
xx

ps I was absolutely terrified

Would a hearty arm punch help?

Hiya,
If sedation works you may not even remember it happening.

I've had it both with and without the sedative. With the sedative I wasn't aware of what was going on, and although there is a longer recovery time, its fine. No trouble at all, other than a sore throat afterwards.

The second time, I was convinced by the Dr I wouldn't need it. Never again, It was all over in 90 seconds but it was 90 seconds of throat gagging hell.

yes, with sedation the build up and hospital time is longer, but you wont even remember youve had it done - you'll ask the nurse at least 5 times i theyve done it yet

I was petrified too vicar.
I had the sedation, didn't have any numbing spray.
I remember NOTHinG at all bait the proceedure which took about 4 mins.
Within 5 mins of coming to I was drinking tea and eating a biscuit.
You will be fine.
I promise.
X

thank you all - im definitely having the sedation - i dont mind how long it takes to recover i just cannot possibly consider it without - i have a strong gag reflex anyway and i am so completely terrified of it, i gibbered at the consultant today.

i just wish it was all over. Ive got to come off my meds for a week before so i am worried that i will be coughing horribly by the time i have it done.

so with sedation i wont be aware of it happening?

"so with sedation i wont be aware of it happening?"

It was my experience, and seems to be everyone else's experience too :)

I work in endoscopy & we do loads of these procedures every day. Most people (about 70%) have it done with just the spray. It rarely takes more than 5 mins and most people afterwards wonder what they were so worried about.
Having spray & a good dose of sedation would mean you probably won't know much about it so please don't worry too much. Most people burp & retch during the test & that's normal so don't worry about it.
If you've ever done yoga, think about breathing techniques as that will really help

I had it done with just the numbing spray.

I was terrified before I had it done because I am an emetophobe, so it was the thought of being sick that was killing me. Then a lady came in who was really, really scared so I spent all the time I was waiting trying to calm her down. She asked me if I would try to have it done with the spray so I could tell her what it was like before she went in! For some reason I agreed!

It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The swallowing wasn't nice, I did gag once, but I really, really concentrated on my breathing and didn't gag any more. It was over and done with really, really quickly. I was glad I only had the spray as I was able to go home really quickly. The other lady came to see me before she went in and was relieved to see I looked well, but she said she was still having sedation!

You will be fine. It really isn't as bad as it sounds. It is much nicer than having a camera shoved up the other end!

snowfire will that still happen even with sedation? (the retching?) its that that scares me, that feeling that you are about to be sick. im really wishing i didnt need this done - im all for having the operation if i need that - thats fine! just wish i didnt have to have the endo.

I had it just the numbing spray. Really not as bad as you think and they really look after you. I was pg so couldn't have sedation but would have if it was poss. Be over before you know it.

Well I hate these things but I didn't think it was that bad. I had the sedation and didn't remember anything about it. It was a lot better than having a filling. I didn't like the swallowing bit but after that couple of seconds I remembered no more.

The spray will help with the retching as it numbs your throat so helps with the gag reflex. The sedation will just make you a bit drowsy and forgetful so hopefully you won't remember much about it.
Are they assessing you for fundiplication surgery?

I had it very recently, was terrified but I went for sedation, I was on the ward for 8 a.m and home by midday, it was quick, my throat was sore before I went in due to stomach acid but it was worse afterwards, paracetamol helped. I would get it over with the pain/discomfort/worry you are living with is much worse!!!!

They discovered I had an ulcer, gastritis and erosion of my stomach lining. I am on medication now. It is a relief knowing, so I am much less stressed!

Hi Vicar, please don't be scared. I spoke to you on your other thread a while ago

I've had sedation twice, once for dental implants and for an ERCP. I didn't know a thing about either, one minute I was there (don't remember a thing about nodding off) and next thing I was awake again. No recollection of anything. Just tell them you don't want to know a thing about it, there are different levels of sedation, tell em you want the best knock out dose they've got !

Oh and I've got one hell of a gag reflex and if I did gag I was totally unaware.

snowfire they haven't actually said but its become such a problem for me i actually would prefer to have the surgery if given the choice. i am on omeprazole twice daily, plus ranitidine, plus peptac plus domperidone. Every time anything irritates my stomach or windpipe such as a cold it flares up spectacularly. I also need to have my vocal chords assessed but the fear is that they are now permanently damaged

alwaysme thank you, i have already said i want to be as heavily sedated as they can....i really arent usually such a wuss but this is something that has terrified me for so long, but knowing i have lived with this for - its 15 years when i think about it - DD was a baby in a moses basket next to my bed when i used to wake up choking....im scared that i may have barrats or something horrible brewing, and im paranoid that i will end up with cancer of the throat or something equally horrible....

I had conscious sedation and can honestly not recall a thing. The build up and wait was a bit nerve wracking. As someone said I stayed in my own clothes. A nurse put a cannula in my hand and then I was taken through. I was laid on a trolley on my side and had oxygen via a tube under my nose and a pulseometer thing put on my finger. The consultant then chose what music he was going to listen to (!) and then put the medication into my IV. I can recall feeling a little bit of pushing in my stomach and then hearing a suction noise and that was it all over. I slept for about 30 minutes and then was allowed up and went home. I felt a bit woozy but other than that no other side effects. It was so painless I can honestly say I would not hesitate to have another. Hope all goes well

thank you jakadaal that is reassuring. i know i have to have it done, but ive had a long time to get myself in a stew about it.

I've had 4 or 5 some with sedative and the latter ones without. Apparently I became quite violent under sedation so they'd rather not give it me again.

With sedation you wake up after a lovely snooze and are given tea and toast. Without it is a bit horrible swallowing the tube but it is fine, completely doable.

Honestly with sedation it is like nothing ever happened.

vicar IME the thought and worrying was much worse than the actual experience. Be really honest with the doctor/staff about your fears and don't be talked into doing anything that you really don't think you can cope with. My fear felt irrational - I was worried I would fight the procedure/medical staff (and I really am not confrontational!!)

Also stop calling yourself a wuss .... you have given birth! there is nothing wussy about that

I've had it with sedation. I remember it a bit but in a detached way, ie I heard someone retching but it didn't seem like it was me. The sleep after was delicious.

The worst bit for me was the trapped wind after!!

twice! id still rather do that than an endo!

thank you though. i just need to try and forget about it over xmas - i should be working xmas day and boxing day but i am off sick and i want to try and savour and enjoy the fact im off (when i shouldnt be,) and i dont want to let the prospect of this looming endo ruin things.