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.

I've also had it done with sedation and it was fine.
As you so rightly say, the prospect of someone shoving tubes into any orifice is not pleasant (and let's face it - there would be something seriously wrong with you if you did enjoy this sort of malarky).
I was also very nervous and grabbed the opportunity for sedation with both hands.
They explained what they were going to do and the last thing I remembered was drifting off and the Doc saying "no, don't put your hands there Mrs. Wingedharpy".
I have no idea where my hands were but I suspect they were around the tube they were trying to put in as I tried, in my drugged state, to pull it out.
If I knew I had to have another one, I would have no fear at all and would opt for sedation again.
Very best wishes. You will be fine. (and do tell them that you are petrified).

Had 2 done under sedation....can't remember a thing! Nice tea and toast in the recovery room too.

Good luck, you'll be fine!!

I've had three - the first unsedated, the rest sedated.

Stayed in my own clothes, had a nice mouthguard (so you don't bite the scope), only a little retching, and a fabulous snooze afterwards.

The only drawback with sedation that I can see is that I was too drugged up to watch the images from the scope.

Btw - I was absolutely terrified, and tbh it was nowhere near as bad as I was expecting.

Ask for midazalan (?sp)

It's a sedative with the side effect of causing memory loss.

I have had an endoscopy, I do not remember a thing.

Hiya,
With sedation the 2nd and 3rd time it didn't work for me until after I was in recovery. Maybe the venflon (needle wasn't in properly and took longer to enter system) and also I take a lot of strong meds which may reduce resistance.
The first time with sedation I don't remember anything though

if the sedation doesnt work i will be off the trolley in about 5 seconds.....

dont worry vicar, you need to tell them you do not want any part of the procedure to begin until they are certain the sedation is effective, will be no probs

I had this, and I barely remember the tube. The medication made me sort of drift through, I think I fell asleep. I laid on my side, with a towel over the pillow. The doctor or nurse, I forget now, said not to swallow and to just lay there and let the saliva drool out onto the towel. Because my uncle and fil had had them and told me it is fine and only bothers your throat if you try and swallow, I practiced ahead of time. (laying on side, with mouth open, not swallowing and allowing yourself to drool onto the towel.
Good luck. Just remember, don't swallow, let it flow! And if you accidentally swallow you just will have a pain at that moment, then a sore throat afterwards, nothing drastic.

Hope your results can help you get better soon.

I don't mean to be rude and belittle your anxiety but you are absolutely worrying over nothing - compared to what you are suffering this will be minor discomfort at worst - blimey if I could have an endoscopy instead of giving birth I'd have a whole brood by now

Now pull up your big girl pants and get it done - you'll be doing yourself a service.

how did it go vicar ?