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Original poster

Endoscopy without sedation?

63 replies

Minai · 16/12/2019 10:50

Has anyone had one?

I’m due to have an endoscopy on Sunday. It’s the same day we are planning to go visit my family for a few days for Christmas. We have 2 small children so we’re planning to go up in the morning (5hr journey) but now I have this endoscopy appointment in the afternoon I’m wondering if my husband can go up as scheduled with the children and I can get the train that evening after the endoscopy, obviously only possible it not sedated.

The only other option is to go the next day but we would lose a day of our Airbnb which we’ve already paid for.

Unsure what to do really. If you’ve had one would it have been horrendous without sedation?

OP posts:
BlingLoving · 16/12/2019 10:53

Don't do it without the sedation. I had my first one without sedation and never again. Insisted on the sedation for the others. Is it possible for the rest of the family to go up Sunday and you stay home Sunday and take a train monday?

The truth is that even if you skip the sedation, you're not going to want to then get on a train/in a car for hours. Endoscopy is theoretically a low impact treatment but in my experience you feel awful afterwards. lots of bloating, a sore throat etc. YOu'll bounce back quickly, but it's unlikely you're going to be up for anything meaningful on Sunday.

Goodnightjude1 · 16/12/2019 10:55

I’ve had 7 endoscopys....1 with sedation, 6 without. The affects of the sedation were far more annoying to me than the actual procedure-that didn’t bother me at all. Everyone is different but I certainly wouldn’t bother with sedation unless it were a must.

ohwheniknow · 16/12/2019 10:59

Largely depends on the type of endoscopy, combined with how well you personally tolerate it. Gastroscopy? Colonoscopy? ERCP?

Unless you've had it before and know exactly what you're getting into and how you respond I would strongly advise to take the sedation.

SweetAsSpice · 16/12/2019 11:01

If it’s colonoscopy you’re going to want sedation. As much as they can give you.

MeowyChristmas · 16/12/2019 11:02

I’ve had one without sedation, one with. I wouldn’t do it without sedation again, unless there was a medical reason (like previous reaction to anesthesia).

It was uncomfortable (bordering on painful) and distressing, definitely had an impact on my emotions.

CrotchetyQuaver · 16/12/2019 11:05

If it's your first time having an endoscopy, go for the sedation. I'm in awe of anyone who can have one without it,

Hepsibar · 16/12/2019 11:09

I had one without sedation a few months back. It was ok to start with and quite fascinating to watch your insides on the TV screen as it wiggles thru! But then it was excruiating and I wasnt breathing the gas in properly and despite going out to administer another enema to myself which made little difference ... eventually they decided to stop.

Although I had a little cry, I was able to drive myself home.

I guess if you can have someone support you afterwards with driving etc if you have sedation, you are more likely to bear the procedure. Good luck.

adviceneededon · 16/12/2019 11:10

Sedation! It's awful. I found it so uncomfortable that I began to panic. My heart rate soared and next thing I remember is having my hand held by the nurse. I had passed out.

BrutusMcDogface · 16/12/2019 11:12

Take the sedation!! I had one without and it was so fucking horrendous they couldn’t proceed and sedated me anyway! After a lovely sleep I felt fine!

NorthernLightss · 16/12/2019 11:12

If it's a gastroscopy, you'll be offered a spray to numb your throat. If a colonoscopy, some units can offer gas and air, others can offer the pain relief without the sedation. It depends on the staffing and facilities. Did you receive lots of paperwork? If the options aren't mentioned there, phone the unit to ask. And make sure you take the prep properly. You may feel a bit weak afterwards, mainly from not having eaten for days,and you will probably have a lot of air to get rid of, so you may not feel like a difficult train journey. Could you all dive up together after the procedure?

Tiredmum100 · 16/12/2019 11:12

I had a trans oesgheogal echo, so similar, no sedation, just a horrible banana spray. It wasn't the most pleasant experience of my life but it was ok and I was fine within an hour, eating and drinking etc, no side effects. I think I went straight from hospital to the shops with my dh. If I had one again I'd do the same to be honest much quicker recovery time.

Walnutwhipster · 16/12/2019 11:14

I've had probably close to thirty. I was persuaded I'd be fine with just the throat spray for the first one. For me it was awful and I now have a full GA for them.

BrutusMcDogface · 16/12/2019 11:15

That spray DID NOT WORK for me. Everyone is different...I think take the sedation and then drive ip together afterwards- you can sleep in the passenger seat.

EauDeResistance · 16/12/2019 11:22

Gastroscopy was fine for me without sedation. Had 4 done over the years. Real bonus being able to get it over and done with and leave / drive myself home.

WatchingTheMoon · 16/12/2019 11:24

I had one without sedation. Awful. It takes quite a lot to bother me as regards medical procedures and I have a high pain threshold but it was just awful. I was panicking and trying to push the doctor off of me. It wasn't painful but I felt like I was choking to death and I cried afterwards.

Like I said, I'm not usually the person who makes a fuss about medical procedures or anything but I would never get it done without sedation again.

CraazyCatLady · 16/12/2019 11:26

I had an endoscopy, immediately followed by a colonoscopy, and I didn't have sedation. It's not that pleasant, but the worst bit is when it first goes in. Just stay very calm and it'll soon be over. Then you get a cup of tea and some biscuits and can go straight home, with no side effects at all.

Good luck!

Caramel78 · 16/12/2019 11:30

I’ve had a gastroscopy (down the throat) and sigmoidoscopy (up the bum) both without any sedation and it was horrible. The gastroscopy was especially bad as I felt like I couldn’t breathe properly and kept choking badly. Very unpleasant and I had a panic attack. I’ve had friends who have had them done with sedation and they have all been completely fine

ComeOnGordon · 16/12/2019 11:50

I had a gastroscopy without sedation cause no one could drive me home afterwards. I had very watery eyes from chocking but then a nice nurse with a very calming voice kept saying to me “breathe in and out” and altho it wasn’t the best experience it was definitely tolerable. And I was home quickly afterwards and felt fine

FruitcakeOfHate · 16/12/2019 11:53

NO way I'd do it without sedation.

Original poster
Minai · 16/12/2019 11:55

Thanks for all your experiences, definitely given me food for thought.

The reason we didn’t want to set off after the endoscopy is because the boys (1 & 2) will likely sleep in the car and then won’t sleep when we arrive but if the endoscopy is going to be so unpleasant that sedation is the best option we will just have to do that or go the next day.

Thanks again. Will have a think of how best to proceed. It’s a gastro endoscopy down the throat and I’ve never had one before and no idea what to expect.

OP posts:
AnnaMagnani · 16/12/2019 12:03

I had one without. The impression I got in the waiting area was that most people have it without. Many were there for repeat endoscopies so I thought well if they can, so can I.

It wasn't nice. The spray didn't help and if I had another I'd do without. But it was brief, the staff were brilliant, and being able to drive home after was good. It's not the worst procedure I've had by a long way

MamaBearThius · 16/12/2019 12:04

It's not nice, but mine was over in about 60 seconds. I had no sedation. The worst bit was thinking I couldn't breathe, you can just through your nose. I had 2 lovely nurses holding my hands and saying comforting things. Good luck with whatever you choose, your body your choice Brew

Egghead68 · 16/12/2019 13:01

A few people find then tolerable without sedation (about a third in studies) but it's basically like swallowing a long broom handle all the way to the end and every bit as horrendous as that sounds (I protested and they just held me down and kept shoving it in while I gagged and choked and retched constantly). It's also been described as like giving the worst (deep-throat) blow-job of your life.

I wouldn't do it again without general anaesthetic. I'd certainly take the sedation in your shoes. It's almost always a low dose of midazolam and wears off pretty quickly.

Egghead68 · 16/12/2019 13:03

P.S. It takes up to 5 mins, generally (those whose were 60 seconds are lucky). Staff vary - some seem to be lovely, many, in my opinion, just intent on getting you in and out with literally no care as to how you are feeling (there's a boy on YouTube whose hand was slapped by the nurse when he tried to protest about it).

AnuvvaMuvva · 16/12/2019 13:28

I'm the biggest wimp in the entire world, and I managed a throat endoscopy without sedation.

Get them to show you the camera. It's REALLY small. It's not like swallowing a broom handle 😆, it's about the thickness of your little finger. As soon as I saw it I knew I'd be ok.

It's not a lot of fun, but hopefully you'll have a lovely nurse to hold your hand, and talk you through everything. Mine took about 7 minutes, start to finish. And I was a bag of nerves, but the team were absolutely lovely.