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Original poster

I've got a date for my endoscopy

12 replies

Dottydot · 19/09/2006 21:29

November 1st. Calm.... I know it's not the biggest procedure in the world, but I'm sooooooo terrified at being awake and having a tube put down my throat. My mind won't be logical and accept that I'll still be able to breathe!

So please tell me all your reassuring stories about how easy peasy it is to have an endoscopy (I've asked for tons of sedation) and how I won't remember or feel a thing.

And it is OK if I whine about it on and off for the next month..?

OP posts:
3littlefrogs · 19/09/2006 21:34

I've had one. Not nice, but they gave me a sedative and sprayed my throat with local anaesthetic. I was still concious and aware, but sort of detached. I remember gagging, but I was able to breath ok. It was over fairly quickly. I was disappointed they gave me an injection to reverse the sedative - I would quite like to have been left to enjoy it for a little while. I expect they wanted me off the couch and out to make room for the next person.

Original poster
Dottydot · 19/09/2006 21:35

Aarggghh - it's the gagging bit that's doing my head in! Did you have a sore throat afterwards?

OP posts:
podgegl20 · 19/09/2006 21:54

I had one done about 3 weeks ago - I was really, really scared but it was much less traumatic than I thought it would be. The worst bit was waiting to have it done. They sprayed some spray on my throat which did make me retch but then they quickly gave me a sedative which made me feel whoosy and I knew what was going on but I didn't really feel much and before I knew it it was all over. Definately not as bad as I imagined. Good luck.

texasrose · 19/09/2006 22:01

I've had one as well and I'd agree with the others. THe doctors and nurses doing mine were so calming and nice but also had a sense of humour about it, which I needed. Try not to worry! Worrying can be the worst bit. It only takes a short time and you'll be out of it for most of that time anyway so don't let it dominate your thoughts - but whine away if you want to!

thirtysomething · 19/09/2006 22:03

I had one without the throat spray (think they just forgot!) and with very mild sedation, and it really was ok - it's over in a flash and I had a lovely long sleep afterwards! My throat was sore for a day or two and I was extra tired, but really just needed to take it a bit easy and then within two days was fine.

lilymolly · 19/09/2006 22:23

I had one without sedation cos I was frightened of needle at the time (over that phobia now after epidural!! )

It Was awful so GET THE SEDATION.
I had sore throat for couple of days and bit muscle ache, from thrashing around bed they had to hold me down!

just being honest, not wanting to scare you

Elibean · 19/09/2006 22:46

I had one with general anaesthetic, because I was so panicked about it
It was short acting, and easy to recover from - and the anaesthetist told me that loads of people have issues with tubes being put down their throats and was lovely about making me feel it was ok to be a major wuss.
The consultant, on the other hand, clearly thought I was a neurotic silly woman and let me know it. Of course, I AM neurotic, but stuff him - he's not the one having the tube down his throat
I heard a guy next to me having his without anything at all except throat spray (consultant gave him mega praise) and he seemed to cope fine, but...just wanted you to know you weren't the worst wuss, and that there are choices if you feel really strongly about it.
Good luck!

Original poster
Dottydot · 22/09/2006 14:30

I asked for/hysterically demanded a general and the consultant said no... But he agreed to give me more sedation than usual (bet he was just saying that).

OP posts:
whitestar · 22/09/2006 22:14

Hi dottydot,
please don't get stress about it I'm a nurse who works in an endoscopy unit. You will still be able to breathe and your oxygen levels will be monitored anyway. If your having sedation (midazolam at our hospital) they will wait for you to relax until they put the scope in, some people will sleep with it others won't so don't get upset if you don't drop off. A mouth guard will be put in your mouth to protect your teeth and the scope, then the scope will be passed to the back of your mouth you will be asked to swallow, this is the worst bit and can feel overwhelming but just breathe deeply and slowly through your nose and try and get a pattern going. The proceedure will take about 5 minutes they may take a few samples of tissue but you can't feel this and it's usually just to test for a bacteria that can cause ulcers so again nothing to get concerned about.

Good luck with it and don't panic hopefully you'll have very reasuring staff to help you through it

take care

Elibean · 22/09/2006 22:24

Dottydot, tell him you'll bite him if he fails to keep his word

Amanda1 · 22/09/2006 22:25

Message withdrawn

smoggie · 22/09/2006 22:32

def def have the sedation - I just had throat spray and vowed if I ever had to have it again I would be as heavily sedated as I could. Don't worry it's not painful or anything, it was just that I kept gagging all of the time - I'm sure it made the poor endoscopists job 10x harder with me gagging and retching.

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