Tips for endoscopy

[TR888]

I need to have an endoscopy to investigate an issue to do with the effects of acid reflux on my throat. I've heard it can be quite a horrible procedure and want to prepare well for it.

Any tips? Positive stories only, please! Thanks.

Hi TR888, I cant share a personal experiance however i was with my nan when at 92 she had one, they offered her some numbing spray which she chose not to have, not sure why? but when she came back she said it wasnt nice but she said she practiced her taichi breathing and it was over quite quickly. Shes lived a tough life and never complains but said the breathing really helped.
I think any breath work would help, yoga, taichi, you can definately practice this, its a even belly breath, same length of breath in as out, you can count if you like to keep it even, breath through the nose, you need to almost meditate on the breath, find a sensation where the breath touches the hairs of your nostils, consentrate on the sensation and dont dwell on any thoughts.
I am sure you will be great :-)

I had it about ten years ago. I’ve not got a really strong gag reflux but it was a very very unpleasant experience. I couldn’t be sedated due to low blood pressure so I’d advise to have an appointment early in the day if you can and take the sedation!

Madebyhand - that’s a lovely story. I think I know what you mean about breathing meditatively. I have done it when giving birth and I found it helps control your fear, which in turn minimises the perception of pain. I will definitively do that.

... and will also get sedation if they offer it!

I’ve recently had one with sedation. The throat spray tasted a bit grim but thats the only thing I can remember about it. I ‘woke up’ and couldn’t have told you if it had been done or not. No sore throat, no after effects, it was all very straightforward.

Oh and mine was for reflux too

Thanks, Apinchofsalt. I hope I'm offered sedation, I worry that with the Covid pressure it might not be possible.

Can I ask about your reflux? Mine can get quite bad, my voice seems particularly badly affected. Was your endoscopy helpful in terms of finding a better way to treat your reflux? Thanks.

I had one last year (coeliac's diagnosis), it was fine. I was offered sedation and chose not to take it (I just don't like the idea of being sedated, plus I'm a single parent). The entire procedure from walking in to the room to walking out took less than 5 minutes - and that was with biopsy samples taken.

First you're given a numbing spray that tastes like burnt artificial banana flavouring. It's not very nice. Then they put a big thing in your mouth so you don't bite the scope, you lie down, and they insert the endoscope. There was someone standing behind me holding me in place which was nice, it was a bit like a reassuring hug. You will gag like a monster. You'll be lying there wondering where these noises are coming from, and then you'll realise they're coming from you. Honestly, I've never heard anything like it.

It's uncomfortable, it makes your eyes water, the sounds are gross. If they phoned me tomorrow and told me I needed another one I wouldn't mind though. It's not bad, just strange.

@TR888 from the scope they could see that there was some inflammation/irritation (sorry I can’t remember where) from the acid. I’d be up several nights a week with the reflux and could feel the burn after an attack for up to 24 hours. They changed my medication afterwards and I’ve not really suffered since,