Anyone had an upper Endoscopy?

[Butwhhhyyyyyyy]

Please tell me it's not as bad as i'm imagining. I have anxiety and c-ptsd and am already so stressed about going and it's still 5 weeks away. Will I need sedation or can it be ok without? Any experiences anyone?

Yes I have them every 3 years, I don't have any sedation and can deal with it fine as am a tough old bird! The actual thought of the procedure is worse than the procedure itself. I opt for no sedation because I like to get it done and leave straight away. However if you suffer from anxiety and ptsd I would highly recommend you opt for full sedation as it's quite an alien sensation which may cause you to panic.
I would recommend you give them a ring and explain your situation and that you require sedation and they will be able to prepare for you.

The endoscopy will be over really quickly normally about 5 minutes and the nurses are really experienced and reassuring. If you have sedation you will still be awake but not really aware of what's going on but you will have to stay in hospital for a few hours to be monitored and won't be able to drive for a few days.

Thank you for the reply, yes my fear is panicking while the camera is in, I have had cameras up my nose and down twice before but this sounds very different to that.

I have PTSD/C-PTSD/various anxiety disorders and had an upper endoscopic procedure. You should contact your consultants secretary and request the procedure under propofol (it's labelled deep sedation in some Trusts). It's effectively a short-acting general anaesthetic but you can breathe for yourself. You remember nothing of the procedure.

Thank you @simplysteve I will give them a call, sounds daft but I worry sedation will mean i panic more while sedated if that's possible.

I had one a few years back and asked for sedation. They injected Midazolam and after that I don’t remember a thing! I think they monitored me for a while and then I was discharged into the care of a ‘responsible adult’ (!). Wouldn’t hesitate to go for sedation again, good luck.

Thank you, lookalike sedation will be the best thing, dh is taking me but has to wait in the car due to covid.

My wife had it last week - she also has mental health issues with high stress and anxiety.
INSIST on at least sedation but a complete general anesthetic would be much better. The form she was given to fill in allowed her to ask for anesthetic which she did do - but didn't get any.
Make sure you get confirmation so that you will not be as worried about going.
Strangely my wife had one in Austria - they automatically give anesthetics.
She says don't worry too much - it's a colonoscopy that is the real bummer! (thought that sounded quite funny!).

@aldibuyer, I wish they were just knocking me out, it's worse worrying for weeks before than the actual thing which I know will be 5-10 mins. Definitely going to ask for sedation but thanks for your wifes perspective, did she do it without sedation then? Was she ok?

I have GAD and managed it without sedation - it was over in approx 3 mins so very quick. The throat spray is vile but on the whole I concentrated on my breathing with my eyes firmly shut!
Good luck op

I had one last year and asked in advance of the procedure to have sedation. Was it ok? I don't know, I have no memory of it at all!

@SimplySteveRedux

I have PTSD/C-PTSD/various anxiety disorders and had an upper endoscopic procedure. You should contact your consultants secretary and request the procedure under propofol (it's labelled deep sedation in some Trusts). It's effectively a short-acting general anaesthetic but you can breathe for yourself. You remember nothing of the procedure.

THIS! I also have PTSD and my GP sent me to my psychiatrist first as otherwise you might get 2mg of diazepam, which doesn't touch the sides for me and some places are very stingy with it, trying to talk you into no sedation - telling you it's safer, you'll be fine, they'll be with you, etc. You know you and your condition best and your psychiatrist is more up to speed than they are.

I had to have a pre-op for mine but I was fine with that because I knew it was never going to work for me to have anything but being knocked out (my PTSD is triggered by having things put down nose or throat).

It might be easier in your trust but mine was one of the stingy ones who just want to get them all done fast so I had to go through my consultant.

I am such an anxious person but honestly, the anticipation was far worse than the actual thing. I had sedation so it all seemed a bit like a dream. A good tip is to practice deep breathing, like in yoga, & to relax as much as you can so you’re not fighting against the tube. I would imagine up your nose is much more difficult to tolerate & you have already done that.

For people who have PTSD/CPTSD it's usually way beyond just being an anxious person and practising deep breathing. That's why it's really best to contact your consultant's PA, OP, and perhaps talk to your consultant. Many people with PTSD and CPTSD have triggers than can cause an acute flashback. And yes, in some people, the sedation makes things worse. Honestly, discuss this with your consultant.

Thank you everyone, I am going to call them next week to discuss it and hopefully put a plan in place for the day. They have already booked me 1st appointment of the day to get it done and over with.

I've had one and was nervous about the sedation as I don't like being out of control. To be honest I didn't really feel overtly sedated, or out of control, just more relaxed like after a couple of glasses on wine! The procedure itself wasn't exactly pleasant, but it wasn't horrible either. I wouldn't feel worried if I had to have another one.
I always compare uncomfortable things to a bikini wax.... and a bikini wax is worse!😂

I've had a gastroscopy and it was agreed before hand that I'd have sedation, due to anxiety. But there needn't be a reason, just because it's more comfortable would do.
The nurses tried in vain to talk me out of it on the day, stick to your guns op.
The anticipation was far worse than the procedure ( which I vaguely remember in a hazy I couldn't care less manner)
Yes the spray is vile and for a split second it is unpleasant as the tube goes in, but if you're prepared you'll be fine.
Good luck and hope the results are normal, which you should be told after the scope.

@TDogsInHats

I've had a gastroscopy and it was agreed before hand that I'd have sedation, due to anxiety. But there needn't be a reason, just because it's more comfortable would do. The nurses tried in vain to talk me out of it on the day, stick to your guns op. The anticipation was far worse than the procedure ( which I vaguely remember in a hazy I couldn't care less manner) Yes the spray is vile and for a split second it is unpleasant as the tube goes in, but if you're prepared you'll be fine. Good luck and hope the results are normal, which you should be told after the scope.

I think this is why the OP's liaising with the psychiatrist is all the more important. There have been threads on here from posters who were effectively bullied or denied sedation, or not given sedation adequate to their needs. I was told 'It's better without it'. Better for them, maybe, but I knew it definitely was not better for me and my personal case. Or 'You'll be fine'. Well, yes, as long as I'm properly medicated.

And honestly, anxiety about it went right down once I knew my psychiatrist had seen to it that I'd get proper medication to suit me for the procedure and I was sure I wouldn't have a flashback.

I had one without sedation and I'm anxious in general. It was fine honestly. A few minutes and it was over. I only wretched 3 times!
My main thing I did was just completely focus on doing big strong deep breaths in and out of my nose and I tapped my feet the whole time. The nurses held me down (not in a bad way) and stroked my arm etc they were lovelt and one waffled away to me. I was glad after because I was discharged and went to a cafe :) didn't want to waste having the afternoon off work. Good luck x

Hi, I've had 4 without sedation and I have bad anxiety. Honestly it's not the nicest experience but close your eyes, concentrate on your breathing keeping it steady and slow, count to 100 in your head and it's done. Literally that quick. And that's with biopsies being taken. It's not painful just uncomfortable and made me gag but I just tell myself it's just a sensation and it'll be over in a minute. I never fancied the sedation as didn't like the thought of being awake but not fully in control but people I know that have had it say they don't even remember the procedure.

I had one and had a mild sedative given on the day, it took the edge off the procedure, which was so much easier than I'd expected. I was petrified of the procedure itself and the result, I was on the two week cancer referral, but it was so easy and they told me what the problem was instantly. There is a much heavier sedative that means you won't remember anything, I had the milder one which took the edge off things but I felt in full control. I'd not worry about having another one.

I has one earlier this year. I have emetophobia and the thought if something being pushed down my throat, gagging, twiddled around and then something being removed drawn up my throat was beyond anything I could bear. I discussed my fears with a consultant and was booked into a clinic with an anaesthetist present and had the whole procedure done under propofol. Like a general anaesthetic but not. Didnt know a thing. Would highly recommend.

@Kittytheteapot

I has one earlier this year. I have emetophobia and the thought if something being pushed down my throat, gagging, twiddled around and then something being removed drawn up my throat was beyond anything I could bear. I discussed my fears with a consultant and was booked into a clinic with an anaesthetist present and had the whole procedure done under propofol. Like a general anaesthetic but not. Didnt know a thing. Would highly recommend.

I had one under this, too. Bliss! I have PTSD.

All I remember about having mine was worrying no-one would be able to get the cannula in for sedation (I have tricky veins) and the lovely nurse reassuring me that they have hundreds of doctors and even more nurses in the hospital, so certainly someone would get it in

Then once they'd drugged me up I remember proudly showing the doc doing the procedure my Wonder Woman socks I was wearing with my gown (capes and everything!), not a lot after that! I had one down then one up.

Around a month later I went back to see my consultant. I remarked that I vaguely recognised the man outside her office but couldn't place where from - that's right, it was the doc who did the procedure! Hopefully that might reassure you a little about the effect of the sedation

I had one a few years ago and I'm now waiting for another. I was very, very nervous with the first one but they offered me 'conscious sedation' warning that it wasn't the same as an anaesthetic.....that may be true but I can honestly say that I have absolutely no memory of anything beyond them spraying my throat and asking me to put the mouthpiece between my teeth. After that - a complete, blissful blank until I woke up in recovery with a nice ward orderly offering me tea and a sandwich.

I'm completely unworried about having to have another now. Honestly, I'd have the sedation without any concerns!

Honestly you have nothing to worry about I hate dentists doctors generally anyone near me. I didn't take the sedation and it was grand. Just concentrate on your breathing and you will be good.