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Original poster

Please give me your positive endoscopy/gastroscopy stories

24 replies

Pebble21uk · 16/02/2020 10:47

Had this ongoing thing since Christmas - doctor thought virus or flu, but when the other symptoms improved the gastric ones remained - nausea, lack of appetite, wind, bloating etc. Been going on far too long and I've lost a stone and half despite trying to get tests done. Bloods came back normal, abdominal ultrasound normal.

Gastroenterologist now wants to do a gastroscopy. I'm desperate to get to the bottom of this and get my life back, so happy to have it - but it does freak me out.
I'm asthmatic and get a bit paranoid about things in my throat. I also had a bad experience with ENT once when they numbed my throat and put a camera tube up my nose and down my throat - I just retched and retched. I know I can have seditive (don't want the anaetsthetic spray) but please tell me you positive stories and any tips to get through it, especially to stop gagging!

OP posts:
Montybojangles · 16/02/2020 12:38

I had one and really don’t remember much at all thanks to the sedation. I do remember him saying “it’s alright, just relax, we’re nearly done” several times, so I’m guessing I wasn’t enjoying it, but I promise you I don’t remember any sensation of it at all (and I’m a retcher). I was then spun round and had a colonoscopy. Again I remember watching it on the screen, but don’t really recollect any sensation/discomfort. Good luck, I hope they can give you some answers.

Original poster
Pebble21uk · 16/02/2020 13:15

Thank you. I had a colonoscopy several years ago and that was fine - but even though I had sedation - I didn't feel at all sedated - watched it on the screen as well - so I guess I'm worried the sedation won't be enough!!

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jinxpixie · 16/02/2020 13:15

Had one without sedation. I concentrated on breathing through my nose and it was over in less than 5 mins.

I did gag a bit but it was no problem.

wineandsunshine · 17/02/2020 18:23

I had one without sedation and it was fine, the throat spray was grim but it was over so quickly. I concentrated on my breathing and biting on the mouthpiece!

Original poster
Pebble21uk · 17/02/2020 19:56

Can anyone tell me if you have sedation (which I will) do they give you throat spray as well? I had that for a nasal endoscopy once - hated it and I gagged and gagged even with it, yet when I had a second one and requested doing it without anything I was fine! Depends on who's doing it I suppose!

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OriginalTaste · 18/02/2020 13:29

I had sedation (was having an up and a down scope on the same day). They gave me the throat spray too. I wasn't expecting it to be that effective!

If you do have the spray, shut your mouth and breathe through your nose afterwards, it stops you coughing.

If you don't, the sedation should work. I have colonoscopies regularly so they know my sedation needs are quite high to be knocked out, but bear in mind they need to keep you kind of responsive to get you to swallow at the right time..!

I don't remember a thing from having the mouth guard put in. The gastroscopy took about 3 minutes, and I had the colonoscopy straight afterwards.

Good luck OP. Talk to them beforehand and explain your concerns, you will be fine

BlackInk · 18/02/2020 14:15

I had an endoscopy a couple of years ago and was dreading it as I have a serious fear of being sick/retching. I had the numbing spray and sedation. The spray tasted gross and briefly made me feel like I couldn't swallow/breathe, but then the sedative kicked in and I wasn't aware of anything (just a brief blur) until afterwards. Felt fine afterwards -- went home and painted the shed!

Alone07 · 18/02/2020 18:22

I had one and much preferred it to the colonoscopy I had.
I did have sedation but it literally had no effect on me what so ever.
They numbed my throat and in it went, had no gagging (and Im quite a gagging person) and was over very quickly.

Original poster
Pebble21uk · 18/02/2020 18:36

Thanks for the positive stories - I made the mistake of googling and there are some horrors on there!

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Squirrelpeanutbutter · 18/02/2020 19:51

I've had two. The trick is to have the throat spray and a shedload of sedative. That way, you have no idea what's going on. Good luck.

pinboard · 18/02/2020 19:59

I had an endoscopy not long ago.
I'd been wound up by my exH who'd had one and said he felt like he was drowning, so I was a bit nervous. I also HATE things down my throat as I am an abuse survivor.
I told the nurse this but she seemed quite grumpy and said:
'its simply a case of mind over matter'
I had no sedation (was told they only offer that 'if the first method doesn't work') but no spray either - hard core!
It wasn't pleasant, but it IS quick
I burped quite a bit afterwards but no ill effects apart from that.
You will be okay x

abbidabbi · 18/02/2020 19:59

I had one and it was fine even though I had been dreading it. I was afraid of retching. I had the throat spray which wasn't the nicest sensation and then sedation (a benzodiazapine of some sort) and although I was physically aware that I was gagging it didn't bother me in the slightest due to the drugs and I watched the screen with interest. Felt back to normal very quickly indeed. If I had to have one again I wouldn't be worried.

Original poster
Pebble21uk · 18/02/2020 20:51

These are helping - thank you!

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Nerdy123 · 19/02/2020 00:50

@Pebble21uk
I had mine today under sedation. Its a positive story!
I wasnt nervous until i got there the waiting paperwork questions made me edgy to the point where the consultant said he wouldnt go ahead if i was so wound up. Ok so they first sprayed my mouth with banana numbing spray which burnt my tongue and ears got told to lie down they put the canula in my hand added the sedation and then put this mouth guard thing around my face. Next thing i know im coughing and then a few minutes later i remember coughing. I dont remember anything else. No images maybe some pat on the back gently from a nurse who soothed me as i coughed but no retching like i also did with that tube up nose into throat thing.
It took them 7 mins apparently. I spent 30 mins i guess in waiting time i was speaking to the nurses as they monitored my blood pressure and then off i went home. Hope you can take some call and reassurance. Like you i was reading alot of these posts. Goodluck!

caringcarer · 19/02/2020 01:08

I am having mine on Friday and feel a bit better after reading this thread. I had one up nose and down throat with spray but gagged a lot. I am more worried this might not be correct procedure to detect cancer of larynx. I don't have problems with stomach at all. I have sore throat, hoarse raspy voice, when I eat meat like steak it feels like it sticks in my throat, sometimes hard to swallow. Did anyone have endoscopy for suspected cancer of larynx?

SimplySteveRedux · 19/02/2020 01:51

You can speak to your consultants secretary and request deep Propofol sedation, you're knocked out for the duration. I had an endoscopy a few months ago with propofol (due sexual trauma) and remember nothing.

Original poster
Pebble21uk · 19/02/2020 15:45

Thanks for all the replies. Can't say I'm not still very nervous, but they do help. I think I shall ask for sedation but no spray if possible! I think I'd rather gag than have that panicky feeling I had with the spray last time!!

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Original poster
Pebble21uk · 20/02/2020 12:31

I'm back! I survived! I asked for sedation but no spray but when I got in there my consultant persuaded me to have the spray as well... that was the worst part for me by a long way! The spray on it's own just made me gag and gag (and panicky with that numbness in your throat)

BUT, once I had the sedetive I was absolutely fine - no gagging with the tube and really don't remember much about it at all - it all felt like it was over incredibly quickly and easily then.

Thanks for all the reasurance.

OP posts:
SimplySteveRedux · 20/02/2020 15:07

Really happy for you :) just be careful on your feet for a few hours as sedative can take a while to wear off. ThanksTennisCake

SimplySteveRedux · 20/02/2020 15:13

Really happy for you :) just be careful on your feet for a few hours as sedative can take a while to wear off. 

Original poster
Pebble21uk · 20/02/2020 20:15

Good luck for tomorrow caringcarer

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user1484 · 21/02/2020 22:24

Had an endoscopy in December and I gagged a little when I lost concentration on breathing through my nose.
The nurses are so lovely.
I didn’t want sedation, as I have phobia of needles, the doctor prescribed me Lorazepam 2mg (took 1 hour before procedure) and it was great, I wasn’t nervous at all and could go home straight after.

TheLadyAnneNeville · 22/02/2020 14:05

Had one fairly recently. It was dreadful...but, I was talked out of having sedation. BIG MISTAKE. It still makes me shudder, the thought of it.

Please, HAVE the sedation.

DMT1982 · 08/02/2021 07:29

@Pebble21uk just wondering what the results were as your symptoms are the same as mine and I have an appointment with a gastroenterologist next week. Thanks

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