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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:
AnuvvaMuvva · 16/12/2019 13:30

I've also had a camera down the nose and up the bum, without sedation.

The only thing I need sedation for is the dentist. Because, like I said, I'm a total total massive total wimp.

ohwheniknow · 16/12/2019 13:41

Everybody is different. You might be one of the super lucky ones who find it a walk in the park, but if you turn out not to be - or even end up as one of the super unlucky ones who find it traumatic instead - that's not an experience you want to have just before you go on holiday.

The gag reflex isn't under voluntary control. If your brain thinks you're choking because of the scope and starts gagging to try and clear your airway no amount of positivity is going to change that. And that's the kind of situation where you can suddenly find yourself being held down because they want to finish the procedure.

AnuvvaMuvva · 16/12/2019 13:44

You'll definitely gag. And burp.

Egghead68 · 16/12/2019 14:32

It's around 1cm diameter (across) - the same as my kitchen broom.

Besidesthepoint · 16/12/2019 14:34

My DH had both down the throat and up the bum without sedation. They told him that if you can consciously relax your muscles and keep them relaxed it will be ok. It's thetension that makes it worse. The problem is that a lot of people tense up anyway and can't relax during the procedure. Well that's what they told him. He was ok. But everyone is different

FruitcakeOfHate · 16/12/2019 14:40

Lots of people's inability to 'just relax' is in no way voluntary. Holding someone down and forcing them is assault. The patient has obviously withdrawn consent if he or she is being forcibly restrained. I'm not surprised, though. They try to fob you off with nearly FA sedation. I found it traumatic due to past trauma and won't do it again without GA, either. I get that it's easier for the staff to have the patient with no sedative but I'm not here to make their lives easier.

Biscuitsdisappear · 16/12/2019 14:56

I don't know about them being intent on getting you through with no care but they do wait until they have a full surgery to make the use of the staff and the facilities viable. I've had 2 with and 4 without. It wasn't an experience that I could happily recommend as a great day out. I notice that quite a few are unhappy about it but not complaining about the benefits to early and easy diagnosis.

FruitcakeOfHate · 16/12/2019 15:46

I don't think being unhappy about being pinned down and forcibly restrained for non-emergency medical treatment is necessary, much less a benefit, when it can indeed be done with the patient not being uncomfortable. Barbaric treatment and diagnostic treatment are not mutually exclusive.

GrumpyHoonMain · 16/12/2019 15:49

They usually give it with conscious sedation which is the same thing used for egg collection in ivf. That is not the same as GA. After hers mum was a bit woozy for 2 Hours and then was back to normal

EverybodyKeepCool · 16/12/2019 16:56

Having just had a colonoscopy and gastroscopy today I would go for sedation without hesitation! I really struggled with the gastroscopy, it made me gag a lot so I dread to think what it would have been like without. My GP and the nurse both said have sedation. You recover for half hour, have a drink then you are free to go if someone can collect you. The stipulation is that you need to have someone with you for 24 hours and you are not allowed to drive or sign legal documents. Obviously it's a personal choice and you know your own body

Schuyler · 16/12/2019 20:04

I recently had a gastroscopy without sedation and it was absolutely fine. I felt fine afterwards, a bit bloated and burpy but not unwell. That said, I’ve had a lot of unpleasant medical procedures throughout my life and I’m quite used to getting in the zone and coping. It isn’t joyous, it’s a weird sensation but I didn’t find it as bad as some people. I guess it varies according to how you view it. I was told a colonoscopy was going to be hideous and I worked myself into such a state, that it wasn’t that great. You have to do what’s right for you, just wanted to balance out the “it was the worst thing” stories. Good luck with whatever you decide.

MiniMum97 · 16/12/2019 20:10

I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy under sedation. I didn't notice the endoscopy at all but still had pain during the colonoscopy (bearable because I was out of it). I certainly wouldn't attempt either without sedation.

queenofkale · 16/12/2019 20:10

I've had one without sedation - didn't want to miss a wedding. Was awful but I got to go to the wedding later that day so horrible at the time but not afterwards...

I would NEVER have one with out sedation again but I was glad I didn't miss my event. It is bare able but so so unpleasant.

Rottnest · 16/12/2019 20:13

I have had a colonoscopy without sedation, tolerable. No way would I think about an endoscopy (top end) without sedation just so I could drive home. It is not pleasant.

AuntSpiker · 16/12/2019 20:19

Interestingly I've recently had a gastroscopy and colonoscopy in a European country. It was GA, no offer of sedation. The consultant said that people from the UK are very grateful when they hear that! For just gastroscopy, they offer sedation or GA if you want it. I'm curious whether the difference is down to cost or culture. Or maybe a bit of both. FWIW I've been with patients having gastroscopies and I'd want at least sedation.

NorthernLightss · 16/12/2019 20:26

It's down to cost - an anaesthetist is required for general anaesthetics, but not for the conscious sedation that's offered in NHS units.

OP no one can tell you how you'll react, but conscious sedation isn't pain relief, it's just something to make you more relaxed. Yes you can expect to gag, and it's a bit unpleasant, but you may well find it tolerable. In my unit if someone has had sedation they must be collected by an adult who comes right in to collect them - you can't get away with "oh they're in the car park, no spaces, I'll be fine".

Pomegranatemolasses · 16/12/2019 20:30

Definitely definitely have the sedation! I had a gastroscopy without sedation and I found it an horrendous experience. It’s all very well saying ‘try to relax’ but your gag reflex kicks in when they shove that tube down. You also burp uncontrollably which adds to the pain.

efer · 16/12/2019 20:38

I’ve had one without sedation and the perks are you can just walk out after which sounds like what you are looking for! I personally would try it without the sedation and then ask for it if needed. I think it depends on your luck if you can swallow it first time which I thankfully did so felt much better after but just go with what’s comfortable

VLCos · 16/12/2019 22:08

In the last few weeks I had a colonscopy with 2 puffs of gas and air. Not painful at all

Last week endoscopy with throat spray , not a nice procedure but manageable and they put you at ease.

I like to leave straight after and drive myself home so I would always do it without sedation

AntiHop · 16/12/2019 22:14

I had one a couple of years ago. They tried me without sedation, just a throat spray. I couldn't tolerate it so they then sedated me. I'm due another one soon and I'm going straight to sedation.

TheFairyCaravan · 16/12/2019 22:20

I had an endoscopy without sedation. It was absolutely fine. They used the throat spray, I concentrated on my breathing and it was over and done with before I knew it.

DH had a colonoscopy without sedation recently too. His pain threshold is non existent yet he said it was only mild stomach cramps that he experienced

AuntSpiker · 16/12/2019 22:22

I think everyone's experience is going to be different. I had a flexible sigmoidoscopy (so less invasive than a colonoscopy) done with gas and air and found it verging on unbearable. DH was the same. We've both had major surgery and have pretty high pain thresholds but were on the verge of asking them to abandon the procedure. Others, as some posters above say, find sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy perfectly bearable. Not much help to the OP, but I guess the message is that you might need sedation, and best to make plans around that really.

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 16/12/2019 22:24

My DH has them regularly, he was told a few years ago that sedation was no longer an option at our nhs trust, he says it’s painful but goes straight back to work.

veryboredtoday · 16/12/2019 22:27

I'd never do it again without sedation. DH had had it done and was fine without sedation, whereas I gagged and gagged throughout the procedure. horrible experience and i'm usually quite brave with these things.

FruitcakeOfHate · 16/12/2019 22:35

he was told a few years ago that sedation was no longer an option at our nhs trust,

Typical barbarism. We're so backwards here it's pitiful. Sad I would not be able to have it done at all without sedation due to past trauma. I'd have to go without treatment.