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 :(

[JaneJeffer]

Oh and gargle with lukewarm salt water for the throat.

[UrsulaPandress]

How do you manage to get that Walnut?

There was a thread on here that I found where a poster's husband was refusing to have one following a really bad experience and he was simply told it was his choice. He wasn't offered a general anaesthetic.

[NoYo]

I've had an endoscopy with the numbing spray and it was fine, over incredibly quickly.
Also had a colonoscopy without being sedated, just had a little gas and air. That was fine too. It was fascinating seeing my insides on the screen!

I avoid any kind of sedation /GA whenever possible though. Scares the life out of me!

[ItsMutinyOnTheBunty]

Hi, I’ve had a couple and I work in this area, in fact the staff were so nice I moved there when a vacancy came up!

My advice would be - have the sedation and the throat spray. The sedation will help you to physically relax, the throat spray helps the scope go down smoothly. It’s not a great experience, but it usually only takes 5 minutes to actually have the camera down. Do tell them you’re nervous, they’ll do everything they can to help you. Most people tolerate it well. You should be able to swallow again, it’s usual to be nil by mouth for an hour from when you have the spray, then most people can manage water. Hope it goes okay.

[FaithInfinity]

Oh and sedation wise we use Midazolam, you’ll still be fully conscious, just feel relaxed. It wears off quickly.

[Punxsutawney]

My Ds had one under what they called general anaesthetic. An anaesthetist was in the room administering the drugs

Ds had this as they had tried two before and the sedation had not worked. He was only 16 but being treated in the adult environment and he was very panicky. They felt that the third should be under general. He had to wait ages for it though as the anaesthetist was only available in the department very rarely.

It did work that time but unfortunately the process was a complete waste of time, he has had plenty of tests including 24hr pH monitoring and has been diagnosed with severe reflux and a hernia. They have told him there is nothing that they can do and at 19 he has been left to deal with it alone. It is so severe that it has taken the enamel off all his back teeth. Very disappointed with the care he has received.

[ivfround3zoe]

@Chartreuser I had and still have the biggest hospital phobia and I had to have one last year. I asked me to be sedated and to make sure I had no idea what was going on. I don't remember a thing at all I would totally recommend the sedation and not just the thoart spray... they didn't use the thoart spray with me just sedation

[gamerchick]

They have told him there is nothing that they can do and at 19 he has been left to deal with it alone. It is so severe that it has taken the enamel off all his back teeth. Very disappointed with the care he has received

Is he dealing with it though? Elevating the head of his bed, elimination diet? There is a large working on it yourself with reflux

[MaryMashedThem]

I've had one with sedation which I barely remember - all I remember is someone kindly pulling my dress down to cover my knickers before they started, as it must have got all bunched up when I clambered up on the table. I don't remember the actual procedure at all.
The next one I had without sedation and it was horrifying. I kept gagging and that made it take forever. Felt like I couldnt breathe, so I started to panic and lash out at staff and had to be restrained. I honestly felt a bit traumatised afterwards. The doctor said later it was also difficult to get the tube down because I have a hernia - knowing that now I'll never go without sedation again.

[MaryMashedThem]

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

[Chartreuser]

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

[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.

[FaithInfinity]

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

[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.

[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.

[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 🙄

[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

[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?

[sar302]

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

[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!

[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

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.