Endoscopy -too terrified to have it

[Chartreuser]

My GP had referred me for an endoscopy as even with 300mg ranitidine a day I have gastritis. It was caused I think my long term nsaid use for joint pain.

I had an opportunity a couple of years ago and the worst bit was coming round completely unable to swallow due to the numbing spray, and I know that's what they'll offer me.

Has anyone done it with no pain relief at all? Or with sedation, does that mean they don't need to numb your throat?

I feel really bad as I don't want to waste their time but think I'll freak out when I'm there and they won't be able to do it :(

[JeremyCorbynsCoat]

@Chartreuser not sure if you'll have been yet but I had one without sedation.

It was fine. The throat numbing spray isn't that strong, only time I gagged was when they pulled the scope out and then it was more of a noise than a gag 🤷🏻‍♀️

I was more petrified of the sedation than the scope hence going it without.

I also have very very bad anxiety over medical procedures. You'll be fine. It's not pleasant obviously but it's not horrendous!

[nellyitsme]

@UrsulaPandress my biopsy results to my GP after 2/3 weeks. That sounds a bit sloppy. Hope your GP finds them soon

[happyhillock]

I had one with sedation, throat was fine after it .

[UrsulaPandress]

I still haven’t got the results of my 4 biopsies taken in November. My GP has asked for them but nothing forthcoming.

[nellyitsme]

Oh dear, @UrsulaPandress, that must be hard on you.
I think a low carb Mediterranean diet is the way to go. I'd be a bit worried about doing 16:8 as some of the advice on eating says to eat little and often and don't miss meals - but on the other hand I've read that fasting is good for regenerating your digestive system.

@MrsCatE I know what you mean about the multi tasking 😀

[UrsulaPandress]

Most of my issues are weight related caused by immobility due to severe arthritis and my breast cancer tablets.

I’m doing the 16:8 and low carbing on the advice of my gp. Some days I only need one tablet others I have to take one in the evening as well.

[MrsCatE]

I give up re typos - apologies! Multitask fail!

[MrsCatE]

Aarghhh! Write down . . .

[MrsCatE]

Oh dear, a lot of conflicting info. Right down any questions or worries now and ask the Dr who Carrie's out your procedure. I was lucky enough to have a Consultant. You should also get a discharge summary report with pics to take home. If you have any biopsies, ask to be copied in either any histology reports sent me your GP. This should be normal procedure but I had to ask.

[nellyitsme]

Hi @MrsCatE re the Omeprazole after I'd had the 2nd endoscopy and they told me the ulcer had cleared up, a nurse went through my results etc with me before discharge and to begin with she said I could probably stop the pills and then she re-read my notes and said, she thought because it was an ulcer I should keep taking them as the ulcer would have left some damage and scarring to my oesophagus which could be irritated by food, reflux etc BUT my GP said to try coming off them even though I told him what the nurse had said. Some of my friend take Omeprazole on an as and when needed basis - I think I might have preferred it this way.
I'm being really careful with my diet and I'm hoping I don't get any symptoms but l get really worried every time I get any twinges of indigestion or aches in my throat.

[MrsCatE]

Hello @nellieitsme. Yes, that's the advice and husband picked me up. More invasive surgery they insist you don't use public transport - I dont remember any stipulation re this procedure. TBH, I have made my own way home after minor ops (and a overnight admission) a number of times.

Re Omeprazole; I was only given a couple of days notice re my endoscopy and reading the pre-admission notes it said something along the lines of to stop taking a footnote before! I rang them up to explain and they said not a problem because my prognosis was possible ulcer and better to keep taking.

Forgot to say they took a number of biopsies too and I didn't feel anything.

Remember, I was really nervous of this procedure despite having had 'serious' surgery before and was fine.

Best of luck!

[Farmmum7]

I had an endoscopy a few months ago and I was absolutely terrified I opted for sedation and they had put me on oxygen and used the throat spray which I didn't like it was incredibly hard to swallow it made me feel like I was choking and I thought they might have forgotten the sedation as they were about to start. The next thing the sedation went in and I came round having remembered nothing the spray had worn off my throat wasn't sore at all and I ate a pack of biscuits after with a cup of tea and walked out an hour later fine. I would definitely reccomend the sedation I was shaking and in a right state I was so scared beforehand but I can't remember any of what happened once the sedation took hold.

[nellyitsme]

@UrsulaPandress I forgot to say that when I went to my GP hast week I discussed reducing the Omeprazole as although it's been a godsend, I didn't want to carry on with them forever. I expected him to help me do a phased reduction but he told me to finish what I had and stop them - I was a bit shocked and panicked but I got through I'm ok -I can get another prescription if I need it. I'm being careful and trying to lose weight - at least a stone.

[nellyitsme]

@MrsCatE We were told that if we had the sedation we'd need someone to pick us up from the hospital

@UrsulaPandress This what I try to do - some of it is based on advice I got from the hospital and other things I got from googling I'll post some links if you want them

Eat smaller more regular meals
Don’t miss meals
Chew properly and relax
Dont drink with a meal
Don’t eat heavy large meals
Don’t eat highly spiced acidic foods
Keep a food and symptom diary
Reduce weight if need to

I try to follow a low carb/ no over processed food/ Mediterranean diet
I found Michel Moselys books useful, especially the blood sugar diet and the clever guts diet book- if your problems go all the way through your digestive system. There’s also websites for both plans

[MrsCatE]

I completely understand because I was really scared to have this procedure.
I had the throat spray and sedation. I asked to be sedated because have an awful gag reflex.

Absolutely no problems whatsoever. Unusually, I was aware the whole time. It only took about five minutes, it was a very calm atmosphere and I had half hour recovery in post op afterwards.

No issues at all. Got the bus home and went about rest of day as per normal!

[sar302]

I had one as part of testing for coeliac disease. Had conscious sedation - didn't even notice them doing it!

[UrsulaPandress]

I'm exactly the same nelly except I haven't changed my diet and take two tablets a day. What changes have you made may I ask?

[nellyitsme]

Ive had two in the past 8 weeks with the spray as I didn't want to be out of it for the rest of the day. like you I was really scared. I was worried I'd choke or gag and I was panicked about what they'd find.

It's was fine I did gag when it went in but it's over fairly quickly. You'll be fine. Everyone was so kind and gentle and explained what was happening. Even us patients formed a little group with the more experienced helping to reassure the novices

They found that my oesophagus was inflamed and an ulcer. They gave Omeprazole and explained everything to me. My symptoms have virtually gone and I'm feeling much much better. I've had to change my diet and the way I eat. At my 2nd endoscopy I was more relaxed about it and they said that the inflammation and the ulcer had cleared up and I've just got a Hiatus hernia and am off the pills and have to watch what I eat - so far so good.

Think of it as like going to the dentist or having a smear test - a bit uncomfortable but it's over quickly

[Lellochip]

Do bear in mind that you’ll need supervision by another adult for 24 hours after the sedation when arranging it.

I was only told this pretty much as I was getting on the bed for a bronchoscopy 🙄

[Rafabella8]

My DH had this procedure - he was sedated and can't remember anything about it. He said one minute he was in the treatment room and the next he was in a hospital bed in recovery with a tray of sandwiches next to his bed! His throat was a bit tender afterwards - scratchy and hoarse but absolutely fine really.

[Walnutwhipster]

@UrsulaPandress rather outing but I have had a total gastrectomy, after finding the first endoscopies awful I insisted on a GA. They don't argue.

[FaithInfinity]

Do bear in mind that you’ll need supervision by another adult for 24 hours after the sedation when arranging it.

[Punxsutawney]

Gamerchick, he does deal with it as best he can. He only drinks water, no carbonated drinks or caffeine. He doesn't drink alcohol or smoke (unlike a lot of 19 year olds). He limits his diet and would not eat anything that may exacerbate his symptoms. His sleeping position is also elevated. I worry that there will be serious consequences for him later in life if his reflux continues and damages his oesophagus bearing in mind his teeth are already damaged.

Glad you feel better about the sedation though OP. I'm sure you will be able to get it.

[Chartreuser]

Wow, thanks, large vote for sedation then, I'll ask for it when I book the appointment and hope they can for me

[MaryMashedThem]

(Also, I don't think I had the throat numbing spray with the sedation.)