Bricking it about Endoscopy/Gastroscopy Tomorrow

[inigomontoyahwillcox]

I've read through some old threads with people essentially saying the same as me and being given lots of great advice, but they were all many years ago so though I'd ask again (things may have changed!).

I am absolutely petrified about having an endoscopy tomorrow. Have had reflux for years but it has gotten worse recently with periods of time when I can't get food down and a sore throat. Anyway, got a letter last week to come in for an endoscopy - which is tomorrow morning.

I know I have to have it but I'm hypersensitive about things being in my throat/constricting my breathing (real or perceived) since I had a massive pulmonary embolism in 2018 (couldn't breathe), and just know that I will have a panic attack when they put the numbing spray in my throat and/put the thing in.

Of course, the obvious solution is to ask for some hardcore sedition, but paranoid me is also worried about that as I get quite a lot of heart palpitations (been monitored a couple of times and didn't cause the doctors any concern - but they were the first obvious sign of my PE, which may explain why they put the fear of god in me), and the very useful pamphlet they sent me along with the appointment said that arrhythmias can be a side effect of the sedative. So, of course, I've already concluded that my heart will absolutely give up on me on the table.

I'm aware of how much of a wuss I sound. I'm jumping from embarrassment to abject terror!

Shamelessly (well, maybe a bit of shame) bumping.

Nobody got any reassuring stories/experience/advice for me? I'm verging on cancelling ... which would be stupid, I know.

I could have written that! The not being able to swallow is horrendous.

I had one in July. They told me I would just be a bit out of it but they completely knocked me out (not sure if intentional or not) and I just felt a bit bruised for a day or 2 after. Hiatus hernia for me!

(Except for the PE, never had that, poor you!)

Thank you @wakeuplockie - they think maybe a hiatus hernia here too.

I've got one on Monday. I've had them before. Sedation is a must and certainly doesn't affect my irregular heart beats. I'm so sore that I can hardly eat.

I had one last month.

Sedated. Didn't feel or remember a thing. Didn't hurt afterwards. No side effects. It was a smooth procedure.

Good luck.

I had one about a year ago. They advised me against sedation for some reason. It was awful without. I actually had a nurse spooning me on the bed at one point because I was so upset.

Sedation. Every. Single. Time.

I also get palpitations but they are caused by anxiety. I would rather have the palpitations.

The only bonus is that it's over pretty quickly xx

Oh @SpookyScarySkeletons - that must have been awful, I'm so sorry.

It sounds like sedation is the way forward. @Timeforwinterclothes so you get palpitations too?

@inigomontoyahwillcox Yes I do and it's really not a problem when having a gastroscopy.

Just had one few hours ago, my first. I was sedated and don't remember anything. It was all over pretty quickly.

Throat is fairly sore to swallow though. Went straight for ice cream afterwards, like a big child

Any excuse for ice cream 😁

Yes to sedation. I remember very little of the procedure and certainly no pain.

I had a gastroscopy last year. I had the sedation and it was absolutely fine. You will be too. Try not to worry.

Had one under sedation 2 weeks ago, and a colonoscopy today - both totally fine.
Didn’t remember the endoscopy, as was completely under, but was awake but sedated for the colonoscopy, which I was dreading!!! Was over in less than 5 min, all fine.
Please don’t worry - good luck.

I have to have a gastroscopy each time I’m pregnant due to a medical condition. And because I’m pregnant when I have them, doctors refuse to give me the sedative as it’s an unnecessary risk to the baby.

I honestly would 100% recommend against having it without sedation. It is fucking horrible. The worst medical procedure I’ve ever had. If you don’t like the feeling of not being able to breathe then you will hate it.

They wouldn’t give you the sedation if it weren’t safe. Yes there may be a very slight risk of something happening but there is also a very slight risk you’d get hit by a bus crossing the road on your way into hospital. That’s not a reason not to do things! Just get the sedation and you will be fine.

I have had 3 endoscopes over the last few years, all without sedation. It is pretty horrible but it only lasts about 5 minutes and then as I had had no sedation I was able to leave immediately and quite normally. I found it really helped just to concentrate on breathing.

Thanks all - think I'll have the sedation as I'm pretty sure I'll panic and try to pull the thing out. It's something that I've known was coming for years really, and have probably built it up to being something that doesn't reflect reality - but it is just my idea of hell.

@inigomontoyahwillcox

I've read through some old threads with people essentially saying the same as me and being given lots of great advice, but they were all many years ago so though I'd ask again (things may have changed!).

I am absolutely petrified about having an endoscopy tomorrow. Have had reflux for years but it has gotten worse recently with periods of time when I can't get food down and a sore throat. Anyway, got a letter last week to come in for an endoscopy - which is tomorrow morning.

I know I have to have it but I'm hypersensitive about things being in my throat/constricting my breathing (real or perceived) since I had a massive pulmonary embolism in 2018 (couldn't breathe), and just know that I will have a panic attack when they put the numbing spray in my throat and/put the thing in.

Of course, the obvious solution is to ask for some hardcore sedition, but paranoid me is also worried about that as I get quite a lot of heart palpitations (been monitored a couple of times and didn't cause the doctors any concern - but they were the first obvious sign of my PE, which may explain why they put the fear of god in me), and the very useful pamphlet they sent me along with the appointment said that arrhythmias can be a side effect of the sedative. So, of course, I've already concluded that my heart will absolutely give up on me on the table.

I'm aware of how much of a wuss I sound. I'm jumping from embarrassment to abject terror!

I am exactly the same as you. My reflux is getting worse and the doctor has mentioned having another endoscopy as well as other investigations.

So I have had one. They were lovely to me and spoke to me before and I just went for it. I did gag a bit but the whole procedure was over quickly and they let me see what they were looking at on a screen.

I am not afraid to have another even though it is not the most pleasant of procedures. You will be fine and I hope it all works out ok.

Hope all goes well today @inigomontoyahwillcox

Had one without sedation, I just concentrated on breathing through my nose.

Wasn’t sore afterwards.

I understand how scared you are, but you have to trust these are professionals that do this day in day out. they wouldn’t put your life in danger if they thought the sedation could harm you.

@SpookyScarySkeletons

Hope all goes well today *@inigomontoyahwillcox*

Thank you so much - currently sitting on the stairs in my dressing gown rereading all your messages and older ones trying to calm myself down.

It doesn't help that the last 2 hospital procedures almost killed me (the operation that caused my pulmonary embolism and an anaphylactic reaction to an iron infusion). Just working myself up into a bit of a teary mess.

Thank you @1309username - really kind words, I keep telling myself to trust them - I'm just all to aware that things can go wrong (see previous post).

I did the same before mine @inigomontoyahwillcox I even cried on my MIL when she hugged me when we dropped the kids off and I don't really like her very much 😂

It's a really quick procedure though and they were all so lovely when I went for it.

Just look forward to this evening when it's all over and you can relax ❤️

Good luck today. My husband had it without sedation and said he wished he wasn't trying to be tough!!

Conversely my friend went in this year with the plan of being sedated. Then, because she wanted to be able to drive that day if possible, asked them to try without and she did it. She didn't regret her choice. So you may be OK without.

So I did it - pretty proud of myself, the nurses were so lovely. Just drinking tea and eating biccies now and waiting to find out what they found/saw before discharging me.

I did go for sedation - which I'm really pleased about. Felt the tube going in and gagging, but being sedated you just kinda got on with it, I literally only thought they were down there for 15 seconds before I was wheeled out, obviously was longer but I wasn't aware at all.