Gastroscopy with no sedation

[Egghead68]

Went in for a gastroscopy/colonoscopy yesterday at a private hospital contracting out to the NHS. Had agreed to have them done with sedation and pain relief. However, I think because he was in a hurry, the surgeon did the gastroscopy with only local numbing throat spray and nothing else. The anaesthetist held me down while I gagged repeatedly until it was over. I didn’t consent to this and feel quite upset by it. Anyone have any similar experiences or know what I should do? (Ps the colonoscopy did not proceed for unrelated reasons).

No one has a view? I was pretty upset by it.

Horrendous. I was sedated for mine but woke up halfway through and found it quite traumatic.

Given that you had agreed on sedation, I'd be contemplating putting in a complaint.

No one should be holding you down unless there is an extremely good reason. Psychosis for example. I'd complain.

I had both procedures without sedation, only something to relax me. It was unpleasant but over very quickly.
Awful for you that you requested sedation and didn't receive it.
When you asked him about the sedation, what did he say?

I had one recently without sedation but that was my choice. In fact the nurse raised an eyebrow to suggest I would regret it. Although not particularly pleasant it was fine and I was glad as I was able to leave straight away. I was very nervous but I have read there are more risks involved if sedation is used so decided not to have it. Hope you are ok now

That should have been discussed. I've had three, all without sedation.

The nurse at the last one did sort of hold me down but more to keep me still as I was gagging badly and I suspect that would be the same in your case.

Try not to feel badly over it.

I had one without sedation, through choice, and I didn't find it bad at all. That said absolutely no one should be holding you down and I would be making a complaint.

I had one without sedation and again no one held me down. In fact one of the nurses held my hand.

I would definitely bring this up with them.

I had this done without sedation and it was ok, gag reflex makes it a bit weird initially obviously.
If you agreed to a sedation, didn't get one and you were held down that's not on obviously.
Were you not able to say something to the surgeon before hand ? It seems a bit odd.
I'm sorry this has upset you it's definitely worth bringing up, presumably you signed something beforehand explaining what would be done during the procedure?

I had one done under general anaesthetic because I insisted.

I'd had them done before just with sedation (midazolam) and found the whole thing unbearable.

I had it done without sedation, because I didn't think I would cope with it (due to childhood sexual assault). I was told if I had sedation they wouldn't stop if I asked them to, hence agreeing to it without sedation. As it happened, because I had signed the consent form, they just held me down anyway even though I was sobbing and trying to pull it out. I will never have any procedure that requires a consent form to be signed again, as I didn't know that written consent can't be withdrawn.

I had this a few years ago. I was told by the consultant immediately before that I didn't need sedation, wasn't given a choice. The nurse told me they would stop if it was too uncomfortable. Well it was horrendous and instead of stopping it, 2 of them held me down. I burst into tears afterwards and felt as though I had been assaulted and am still upset about it years later.

I spoke to a different consultant about the experience a couple of years later and he said at the age I was, my gag reflex would have been very strong and I definitely should have had sedation.

I've had one recently with sedation and it was fine.

I would complain to the hospital and be seeking compensation tbh.

Just seen it was a private hospital contracting out to the NHS, I thought you had paid for the procedure. Wouldn't go down the compensation route then but definitely complain.

Thanks everyone and sorry to those who have also had nasty experiences.

My endoscopist was clearly in a hurry said “well you’ve had the throat spray that’s the most important thing” and then just started the procedure. I didn’t get any say. Yes I was held down because I was gagging throughout and tried to stop the procedure when I couldn’t take any more.

I wouldn’t have one without sedation again.

Unfortunately the same person is due to do my re-try colonoscopy in 3 weeks. I worry that if I put I a formal complaint I will be taken off his list and have problems getting referred elsewhere. I thought I might speak to him directly about it when he consents me for the colonoscopy and get his assurances that nothing like that (I.e. putting saving time ahead of my wellbeing and consent) would happen in the colonscopy.

I’ve looked on the private hospital’s website for a complaints procedure or contact and there isn’t one.

P.s. what I “feel badly” about, as someone commented., was that something was done without my consent and contrary to what had been discussed and my best interests, purely to save the surgeon some time. It’s not so much the actual procedure itself (though that was unpleasant).

Was it definitely holding down? I worked in endoscopy and we were encouraged to do ‘therapeutic holding’ which is basically lots of hand holding and hair stroking in an attempt to calm the patient. However if a patient attempted to pull the scope more than twice we would abort the procedure.

We would do this so as the patient wouldn’t hurt themselves and to reduce risk of perforation. Sorry to hear you had a bad experience. We are private sector too. You can email me the hospital if you want and I can offer some guidance for complaint procedure.

By email I mean private message!

I think you should speak to pals about putting in a formal complaint OP. I'm sorry you had to go through this, it sounds horrendous.

No it wasn’t therapeutic handholding or stroking - the 6 foot male operating theatre assistant held me down firmly with his hands and body weight pushing onto the right side of my body to stop me moving (I was lying on my left side).

I don’t think PALS cover NHS patients in private hospitals unfortunately.

Have pm-Ed you stealing -thanks.