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Original poster

Endoscopy without sedation – how awful is it??

52 replies

BlackInk · 03/03/2022 15:22

I've got to have an endoscopy (upper GI / stomach) tomorrow morning. I've had one before with sedation which was fairly awful, but I don't remember much of the actual procedure.
I kind of want to do it without sedation this time so that I can be independent and drive home alone afterwards, also so that I can function as normal without feeling groggy afterwards – collect DC from school tomorrow, work all day Saturday and important family get together on Saturday evening. I'm completely uptight about people knowing I'm ill and don't want to have to tell anyone I've had the endoscopy.
BUT I have a severe fear of vomiting, especially vomiting/retching/burping etc in front of anyone. Will there be lots of uncontrolled gagging if I don't have the sedation? Am I more likely to feel sore afterwards because of struggling/resisting more?
What I really want to be able to do it get it over and done with quickly and privately without involving anyone else!

OP posts:
BlackHillsofDakota · 03/03/2022 15:25

A friend of mine had it done without sedation for exactly the reasons you have stated. She said it was the worst experience of her life and I would consider her fairly hardcore. Sorry thats probably not what you want to hear and Im sure it differs from person to person.

Beneficentbovine88 · 03/03/2022 15:27

My advice is, don't do it op. Get someone to drive you home and have the sedation. Flowers

Newuser82 · 03/03/2022 15:35

I had it done without sedation. I actually went to work afterwards. I'm not sure I'd repeat the experience. To be honest I'd rather go through another c section!

CharlotteRose90 · 03/03/2022 15:36

No no no and no. Never again. I’ve done it once and it was hell. I’d rather have a colonoscopy without sedation any day

wildthingsinthenight · 03/03/2022 15:38

Please get sedation. It.is awful without.

TristesseDurera · 03/03/2022 15:41

Have sedation.

I've had multiple colonoscopies and endoscopies. Endoscopies are worse.

I have high pain threshold (no problem with tattoos/gave birth without pain relief) but I would never have an endoscopy without sedation

Original poster
BlackInk · 03/03/2022 15:42

Oh man. OK.
That's helpful though because I was wavering!

OP posts:
dogmum02 · 03/03/2022 15:42

I've had it without sedation and it was fine! There was a bit of gagging but that only lasted a few seconds. Other than that I didn't feel anything. I left the hospital quite quickly after and was fine.
Appreciate everyone has different experiences though!

cannythinkofaname · 03/03/2022 15:43

Hi OP. I had it done without sedation years ago as I wanted to be able to just get on with my day. I got some sort of spray to the back of my throat to ease it off a bit (I remember it tasted like banana).
I did gag and retch (uncontrollably) a fair bit. It wasn't particularly pleasant but I was fine once it was over and glad to just carry on with my day.
I defo wouldn't recommend it if you have a severe fear of the gagging / retching etc... it will be unavoidable.

thelittlestrhino · 03/03/2022 15:44

I had it done without sedation and it was fine. Little bit of gagging and watery eyes but nothing more than that. I did end up with a bit of a scratch which was noticeable when I ate or drank anything for a day or two. Personally if I needed another one I'd again opt for no sedation.

Original poster
BlackInk · 03/03/2022 15:44

I can put up with any amount of pain – gave birth without painkillers to 2 massive babies! It's the indignity that scares me...

OP posts:
dogmum02 · 03/03/2022 15:48

I asked them to put the needle in me so they could inject the sedation if I needed it. Turns out it was fine and wasn't needed but maybe you can try that? That way you know you can have it if it turns out to be too uncomfortable for you?

I wouldn't worry about any embarrassment for gagging etc. they would have seen it a million times before and like I said, mine only lasted a couple of seconds.

Angrymum22 · 03/03/2022 15:49

Grim. My DSis had it without sedation, by accident. She misunderstood our DF when he said he had it without anaesthetic , she thought he meant sedation, turned out he meant general anaesthetic 🤣. She still shudders today at the thought.

Shannith · 03/03/2022 15:53

Yeah have it. Even the numbing sprays alone made me gag so much they couldn't do it and I had to book another appointment to try again. They won't keep trying after a point.

So purely for the high chance they will actually be able to do it properly and get you the results - take it.

I've had a few and tried a couple without for the same reasons as you and it's not fun at all. The sedation is super light and you won't even know you've had it done.

With sedation it's not pleasant but it's fine. Without it's fucking awful. It's impossible not to gag and indeed rip the tube out.

tanstaafl · 03/03/2022 15:54

I had the procedure without full sedation last year.
I was more worried about how much the gown was showing at the back.

The throat is numbed by spray anaesthestic , you can’t feel the camera there but you may feel it further down. In my procedure they very quickly had the camera all the way in, then the consultant does the examination on the way out!

Took 30-60 seconds for me, but there was no need for samples to be taken ( which I’m assuming would have been done there and then?).

I was lying on my side on a trolley bed. Wheeled in and out on it.
In an operating theatre , about seven other people there, I think some were student endoscopists! .

There’s one nurse who takes care of you in the theatre, talks you through things, reassures.

Now I did retch a few times, but there’s nothing to retch up, the cameras in the way and you are told not to eat or drink anything from midnight.

I was having a bowl of soup an hour later before the consultant comes back to discuss findings.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 03/03/2022 15:56

The sedation is great. Deffo have it.

Shannith · 03/03/2022 15:56

It's not painful - that's not why they sedate you - it's to overcome your gag reflex as they shove a great big (ok it's thin but) tube down your throat.

Without it you will almost certainly gag involuntarily so much they won't be able to do it.

They will strongly suggest you do as it as it's in their and your best interests to be able to get accurate results. Hard to see what's going on when someone is fighting you.

Shannith · 03/03/2022 15:59

I had to have samples but even so you want them to actually be able to see whatever is the reason you are having the procedure in the first place.

It's not about being tough and able to withstand pain. No badges for doing it without.

It's a light sedation and wears off very quickly.

elastamum · 03/03/2022 16:00

I had one without sedation as it was a lovely day and I wanted to drive home and go out riding that afternoon. The consultant also wanted to go to lunch! It was uncomfortable and I did gag a bit but it wasn't awful and I got to watch. I would do the same again.

mrsbyers · 03/03/2022 16:01

I’ve had loads done without sedation so that I could drive home , the gagging isn’t pleasant but it’s a bit like going to the dentist for me , soon over and quickly forgotten about

Akire · 03/03/2022 16:02

I’ve had two both no drugs, yes is gagging and vomiting involved but was over quickly. Had no one with me and needed get home after.

ScribblingPixie · 03/03/2022 16:04

I had sedation for dental work and wanted to avoid that as I found it so disorientating and distressing. So I had the endoscopy without sedation and it was manageable. I did gag a little bit and hated the sensation but I had a nurse holding my hand and encouraging me so I went with it & it was soon over. Big relief afterwards. I'd do it that way again.

Scorchedterf · 03/03/2022 16:04

I had an endoscopy without sedation because I wanted to drive later that day. It was grim, never again. Next time I’ll have the works anaesthetic wise.

Babdoc · 03/03/2022 16:05

It entirely depends on how skilled the endoscopist is at spraying the posterior two thirds of your tongue to take out the gag reflex. If they do it properly, with a sufficient dose of local anaesthetic, then you won’t gag at all. I used to administer general anaesthetics for all our gastroscopies thirty years ago, and was delighted when the surgeons agreed to switch to local plus or minus sedation.
Nowadays anaesthetists aren’t usually involved, and the procedures are often performed by nurse specialists, although gastroenterologists and upper GI surgeons also do them.

Keladrythesaviour · 03/03/2022 16:06

I had it without sedation and it was horrible. Really really awful. But a bit like childbirth I'd probably go through it again, with the sedation. It's awful, but you're in a controlled environment and it only lasts a set time. I just wouldn't let them try and put it up my nose again as that was awful and when I put up some resistance.
I wasn't concerned about burping or retching (though I did briefly think I was going to choke and die during) so that probably helped - if you've already got concerns attached I'd probably go for sedation.

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