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Original poster

Endoscopy-how sedated are you? I'm so nervous....

30 replies

Leapoffaith00 · 05/11/2019 12:00

But really need to have the procedure done to see if I have celiac.
I have a fear of choking and so cautious when swallowing. The thought of a camera down my throat fills me with fear to the point I don't want it done. I know I can be sedated in which I would choose but apparently it's not fully sedated. I won't be aware. What if I am?!

OP posts:
INeedNewShoes · 05/11/2019 12:05

If in day to day life you have a fear of choking I think you should phone the endoscopy booking administrator and forewarn them. If your fear is just in relation to the procedure then that is extremely usual and people cope despite the thought of it being awful.

The sedation makes you feel calm and relaxed but still present. It’s perfect really because you still feel in control and able to communicate but it eases everything.

Justme10 · 05/11/2019 12:08

I honestly have no memory of having it done. I remember getting the sedation then being offered food and a drink in recovery. It's definitely not as bad as you think it's going to be, try not to worry too much Smile

Original poster
Leapoffaith00 · 05/11/2019 12:18

Thankyou. I have spoken to them and that's when they told me about sedation. I hope I stay calm too. How long is the procedure?

OP posts:
Scarlett555 · 05/11/2019 12:24

I remember thoroughly enjoying the sedation! It's a very pleasant feeling and I was completely away with the fairies and very relaxed. The thought of a tube going down my throat was awful beforehand but when it happened I barely registered it was happening and didn't care. Try not to worry about it OP.

Original poster
Leapoffaith00 · 05/11/2019 13:00

Ok, I will try not to. Thankyou, all of ypur messages have helped.

OP posts:
Igobacktoblack · 05/11/2019 13:07

I've had 2. Both of which I was 'sedated' for.
The first one I woke up back in my hospital bed wondering when they'd call me down....... Then BF was like 'Eh, you've had it already'.
The second one ........... let's just say the sedation didn't work. I was awake for it. Unfortunately.
I hope your sedation works as it's extremely stressful if awake. I kept burping (they pump air in to see better) and they kept telling me to stop burping (like I could stop the burps coming out!??)
Just be adamant you want sedation and you want to be sure you're sedated before they begin.

MellowMelly · 05/11/2019 13:18

I had the sedation and honestly I was only just very slightly aware of the procedure going on but the sedation made me really relaxed and I couldn’t of cared less what was going on as I just remember a lovely feeling of drowsy peacefulness.

I do vaguely remember letting out several huge belches but my brain was having a hoot of a time off in never never land and it followed with the best sleep I’ve ever had in recovery Grin

welshweasel · 05/11/2019 13:28

So things have changed a lot with regard to sedation over recent years. We used to give large doses, which would essentially make you drowsy and usually you’d have no recollection of the procedure. That was found to be unsafe so we now do the vast majority of gastroscopies (more than 95 percent) without any sedation. If a patient is adamant they want sedation then they get a small amount, with the aim of them being awake and able to follow instructions throughout. I’ve lost count of the number of people who complain as their sedation ‘didn’t work’ as they were awake.

Personally I try to convince patients to have it without sedation as its far easier to talk someone through the test, get them to control their breathing etc, without sedation. The bit that most people are concerned about is the gagging on the tube as it’s passed down the back of their throat - sedation doesn’t help with this, but the numbing spray really does.

CantspellWontspell · 05/11/2019 13:35

I had quite heavy sedation because they were removing a gallstones that was blocking a duct but I still had a couple of moments of awareness. It wasnt bad though and I say that also as someone with a fear of choking.

squashyhat · 05/11/2019 13:41

I had it done without sedation - just the numbing spray - because as a pp said, the staff needed me to be able to follow instructions. It was fine, they explained every step beforehand, kept talking to me calmly throughout and it was done in about 7 minutes.

TheFairyCaravan · 05/11/2019 13:45

I had it done without sedation, by choice, and it was absolutely fine. They use a spray to numb your throat and I just concentrated on my breathing. It was over and done with really quickly

alittlequinnie · 05/11/2019 13:49

I had one about 7 years ago with sedation.

Whole experience was awful - was left waiting in a rock hard chair for more than 4 and a half hours and then rushed through at a speed of knots!

They gave me sedation which completely knocked me out - like i had been hit by a bus - and then i woke up really quickly - when they were still trying to get the tube down my throat.

I panicked and tried to pull the tube out and they then gave me a bollocking - would have helped if when they were trying to calm me down they actually called me by my own name and not a different one as I didn't actually know who they were talking to.

Bunch of twats. Not been offered the test again and think I would turn it down anyway! :(

Igobacktoblack · 05/11/2019 16:58

If you've opted for it without sedation that's fine. I think it's a different story when you're expecting to be sedated and are fully awake. I found it very distressing.

Spied · 05/11/2019 17:04

I had it done without sedation.
I have anxiety and live with health anxiety and was too scared of sedation to have it so I went through with the procedure without. I was terrified and nearly backed out last minute.
I managed but in all honesty I'd take the sedation if needed to have it done again.
I think it lasted 20-30 mins.

dontalltalkatonce · 05/11/2019 17:10

I had one with a lot of sedation due to mental health problems. I'm also on quite a sedating anti-depressant so need a lot to sedate me now. I had to go to clinic before the procedure to speak to them about my needs and of course, they tried to talk me into having it without sedation but nope, that would not happen. My consultant psychiatrist spoke to them and that seemed to do the trick.

Silvercatowner · 05/11/2019 17:26

The bit that most people are concerned about is the gagging on the tube as it’s passed down the back of their throat - sedation doesn’t help with this

I'm emetophobic with a massive fear around choking and gagging (stuff from childhood) - the endoscopy I had 25 years ago was a breeze. There's no way anyone will go near my throat with a tube without bucket loads of sedation.

dontalltalkatonce · 05/11/2019 18:51

Sedation definitely helped me with the going down the throat bit because I don't remember it. Smile Zero chance I'd have that without heavy sedation but then, I have issues.

Thripp · 05/11/2019 18:54

I am absolutely terrified of the idea of anyone sticking anything down my throat. I'm a complete control freak, and I would fight anyone who tried it. I'm also terrified of being sick, so that would also stop me from doing it. Needless to say, I had to have one. However... I had sedation, and remember absolutely nothing about the whole experience.

Inniu · 05/11/2019 18:58

I had one done without sedation. Never again. I gagged continuously for the whole procedure.

Take as much sedation as you can get.

Egghead68 · 06/11/2019 00:13

I was supposed to have sedation but they were in a hurry and didn’t give it any time to work. My advice is make sure you are not last on the list, so they are not in a hurry, ask for maximum sedation and make sure they give it time to work (NICE guidelines are 5-10 minutes). You don’t want to be unsedated (they might try to push this but it’s mainly to make their lives easier as you get in and out more quickly).

Synecdoche · 06/11/2019 00:25

I was a wreck before my gastroscopy but honestly do not remember a thing.

AnuvvaMuvva · 06/11/2019 00:39

OP - I'm the biggest wimp in the world. But I managed this last year without sedation. It was honestly fine..

Get them to show you the camera. If you're anything like me, you're imagining this massive, huge great big thing, but it's REALLY small. It's the size of my little finger and I have teeny kids' sized hands. Seeing it beforehand 100% calmed me down.

Get a nurse to hold your hand. You'll burp a lot but that's it. It's honestly not that bad. Really. I promise.

JaneJeffer · 06/11/2019 00:44

Sedation completely knocked me out and I don't remember a thing about it.

kissmelittleass · 06/11/2019 04:54

I wrote a post like this last year! I was a nervous shaking wreck literally I was dreading it I was so frightened.
I was shaking going in and wished I had the balls to walk out of the waiting area and believe me I thought about it!
But I needed the procedure so I stayed. Confused
I was given the throat spray first two sprays, that scared me as I felt numb loss in my mouth and felt like I couldn't breathe I was panicking inside! Then I was given sedated and told I wouldn't remember a thing and the next thing I knew I was waking up in a room coughing.
Wow the relief I felt that it was over!! So op the thoughts of it are terrifying scary I know I have a gagging reflex quite bad and I get your fear But if I can do it you can! I would not be as scared if I had to do it again but definitely opt for sedation!!
You will be fine I promise

Original poster
Leapoffaith00 · 06/11/2019 09:32

Thankyou for the positive messages, they have helped. Im not too thankful for the not so positive but im thankful for being honest.
I'm trusting your words. I'm still really scared. Mainly as when I went to the dentist once to have a tooth out, they numbed my gums and I lost feeling in the one side and had a panic attacks. I choked when I was younger. Terrible fear now.
I know I have got to have it done as my bloods came up as positive for celiac. I wish I could just start a gluten free diet without the procedure but I'm guessing they have to make sure.

OP posts: