Endoscopy?

[Newmum26]

I have to have an Endoscopy in a few weeks and I'm really worrying about having the procedure done 😩
Has anyone had one done before and explain a little about it? I and worried I will panic when it goes in my throat and down into my tummy.
Thanks for any help or advice x

Hi, I'm a endoscopy nurse. Sounds like you're having a gastroscopy.
Some units have smaller cameras that go through a nostril instead, these are usually more comfortable than going through the mouth - but be aware some places will only go through the mouth.

Generally what happens is, you'll get some numbing spray first (patients usually tell me this is the worst bit), some opt for sedation, it's up to you but if you do make sure you bring someone with you to take you home.

If going through the mouth, they'll put a mouthpiece in to put the camera through easily and prevent you biting it.
The camera travels down your throat, your oesophagus (gullet) and into your stomach, to the duodenum (beginning of the small intestine). This is as far as the camera goes. The endoscopist will usually perform something called a J manoeuvre which is basically turning the tip of the camera back on itself to look at the top of the stomach.
Then they'll head out.
They may take biopsies if need be, depending on what they see or what you've been referred for. You won't feel these being taken, and it usually happens on the way out.
They may test for the presence of helicobacter pylori in your stomach, during which they'd take a small biopsy and then test it there, and let you know the result before you leave. Again, depends if your GP has already done this via a stool test or not, and also depends what you've been referred for.
Where I work, these procedures don't usually take longer than 5 minutes on average.

I will advise though, that if you're feeling panicky at all, DO NOT try and pull the camera out yourself or grab hold of it in any way! This could be dangerous and cause you damage. Remember to breathe, nice steady breaths in and out, this will lessen any gagging and panicking.

Let me know if you have any questions! Good luck, you will be fine!

I've had 3 done without sedation. It's unpleasant but doable. I second the advice to take steady breaths. It really helps to calm you down and minimise gagging.

I shut my eyes the whole time as well. And the nurses generally held my hand

It's over quickly and the bonus of no sedation means no long wait afterwards and you can drive yourself home.

I was pursuaded to not get sedation. I wish I had. (just before lunch conveniently!) They couldn't perform it in the end and I was in absolute bits.
Go for sedation. People I know who've done it with have had no troubles such as I had

I had one yesterday with sedation, the sedation did absolutely nothing.
I had it through the nostril and they squirted a load of something to make it all numb up there and down the throat.
It was fine, a lot better then I thought it would be.
Could talk,could swallow didnt gag and lasted for 5 minutes.
Had a biopsy done and didnt feel a thing, it is really the fear of the unknown

I had one (and a colonoscopy at the same time). Now, I am the biggest whimp going and suffer from terrible anxiety but tbh it really wasn’t that bad and I even opted to go for it without any sedation or pain relief (other than the throat spray). The worst bit is when they pass the tube down your throat, I did panic a bit as I felt I couldn’t breath but they got me to breath deeply and slowly and it really helped. The gastroscope was over in minutes. You can do this, you will be fine.

I had this procedure (by mouth not nose) I was persuaded away from sedation. Big mistake.
It was horrible. I panicked and gagged through the entire procedure and I'm quite tough generally. If you are at all worried go for sedation and do not let the nurses put you off. My 83 yr old Dad has had 2 with sedation and said it was a breeze. To be fair I understand that it's easier and cheaper for the NHS if they just use the spray So I wanted to be a good patient and help them out. But...never again!