endoscopy - with or without sedation?!

[Honeypie]

I am due to have an endoscopy in a couple of weeks under sedation although I could have it without which in the long run would make life much easier re childcare, not feeling drowsy etc... Does anybody have any experience either way?

Honeypie, Yes I had this too, had the sedation though, it was fine, felt ok afterwards and not too drowsy. I know someone who was awake they were really nervous and felt really stressed about the whole thing and didn't like the experience as you do have to relax, thats why I opted for sedation and glad I did. larsxx

I would have sedation. You only feel groggy for the day. Plus it is quite fun really, you feel nice.

You would need someone to take you home though.

I do know one person who had it without - I couldn't do it personally as would gag too much!

Definitely have it with. It was still uncomfortable, but at least bearable.

From an ex endoscopy nurse.
Check out the staff first. I would say sedation can be a fag of you've got stuff to do - you can't drive all day. However, you need to really trust the staff to have it without because reassurance is the key. It's as easy as pie if you are relaxed but you HAVE to be relaxed - otherwise it will be crap!
I would have it without, but then, I would hate sedation and I know what to expect! HTH

Definitely with-I have had several with sedation; my ds had one without and said it was horrible!

my dh had this done with sedation, he was fine, although on the way home he could not stop waffling on about nothing and repeating himself IYKWIM he slept the rest of the day and suffered no side effects. My friend's dh however, had this done without and said it was horrendous and wished he'd chosen to be sedated. HTH and good luck

I had this done with sedation and it was fine. My mum had it done without sedation - they froze the back of her throat and she said it was uncomfortable but not too bad

I had the sedation - it's a nice high! I was fine the next day and you will have to make arrangements for childcare anyway in case you freeze or gag and they have to give the sedation to you anyway.

Is it an upper or lower endoscopy Honeypie? I've had both done and found the lower, though uncomfortable was bearable without sedation. The upper was harder to bear as it can make you feel like you're choking.

The sedation's had different effects on me at different times. Sometimes I feel v. out of it and others hardly notice it. I think it depends how much they give you which is also dependent on how long the procedure takes.

I have a good story about sedation and endoscopies. My dh had one a few months ago and I went along to keep him calm (he doesn' t like doctors) and drive him home. He was scheduled to have it with sedation. I warned the doctor that he didn't do well under sedation and would need lots more than the normal person to keep him still. I also suggested that it might be a good idea if I went in with him to keep him calm. The doctor was very dismissive (telling me that hospital policy wouldn't let me in) and didn't really take in any of what I'd said. Sure enough 5 mins after wheeling him in they wheeled him out thrashing and yelling and said they couldn't do the endoscopy because he was trying to punch the nurse. For the next hour I sat next to him while the worst of the sedation wore off. Every few minutes he would sit up and say "what happened?" and "they were trying to choke me." And then when I'd explain that the sedation hadn't worked he'd yell "Where's that girl?" (meaning the doctor who was at least 50) "I want another go."
They were going to reschedule him 3 months later for another endoscopy with just the local anaesthetic spray, but I managed to convince the doctor that maybe they'd be better off just letting the anaesthetic wear off and do it that day. I think the suggestion that I might not be able to come the next time helped convince them. In the end the doctor asked me to come in with my dh (saying she would contravene hospital policy in the interests of the safety of her staff). They sprayed dh's throat, stuck the camera down (while I held his hands) and it was over in a flash. I got to watch an awesome color video of his stomach.

Final conclusion, definitely go for the local anaesthetic spray. It wears off right away, really doesn't hurt at all according to dh (and he is a big baby). And you get to watch the video which is way cool.

Hi - I had this with sedation without any probs, don't remember a thing after the throat spray. Made me feel giggly for a while but that was ok! Soon wore off. Mum had it without once and she said it was very difficult, came out and scared the whole waiting room with her shrieks of indignation at not being given the choice!!

Thanks for all the comments but I still can't decide what to do. I kind of fancy the chance of an afternoon of sleep and no responsibilty but don't really like the whoozy feeling. Didn't even like gas and air in labour!

I didn't have anything in labour either, but that's different you are full of endorphins. Why not try without, my mum can do it very successfully, and then if it's not what you expected ask them to give you the drugs. I didn't feel strange as I was given Hypnovel (?) and so at the time you see everything really clearly and talk about it afterwards, but then the memory fades until you wonder if you really can remember it at all.

I didn't like gas and air in labour which is why I am pretty sure I wouldn't like sedation.
However, SophiAmes describes a situation which is not that uncommon. Very worried people are able to fight the sedation, after all it is only sedation! Those that do tend to fight it as if to save their lives - they become totally instinctive. Which is why, very personally, I believe that going through it without sedation but being able to respond rationally is the kay. But then you need reassuring!!

Hypnovel (brand name) and Midazolam are the same thing, sometimes they use diazemuls.

I had one without sedation. Uncomfortable yes, but painful no. Quite glad I was completely with it as Doc turned the screen towards me and explained and showed me everything he was doing - I'm a bit weird like that!! but it's my bod and I like to know what's going on. Was a bit sore afterwards but sucked on lozengers and all ok a few days later. Good luck.

Had the endoscopy done today WITHOUT sedation and was very glad that I did. It only lasted 5 mins or so and then I felt completely fine, not even a sore throat. It was not very pleasant and it felt very strange feeling things going on inside you but definitely the right decision!