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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:

Keladrythesaviour · 03/03/2022 16:08

Sorry - I meant to say I'd probably have it WITHOUT the sedation again.

QueenLagertha · 03/03/2022 16:12

Don't do it OP. I did once. Horrendous. I have had no bother getting it done with sedation

ChazzaGirl · 03/03/2022 16:12

I had it without sedation and really wasn’t too awful at all. I originally wanted sedation to help with gagging (I’ve got a terrible gag reflex) but the nurse told me it wouldn’t make any difference, so I decided to do it without. It’s not the most pleasant thing to go through, but it wasn’t painful and it was over in less than 40 seconds.

Be prepared to burp though! Apparently you can’t avoid doing a burp when the camera goes in, but they do warn you about this.

Good luck

QueenLagertha · 03/03/2022 16:15

I've just read re: the indignities. I vomited and burped. It was gross. That didn't happen when I had sedation

Jazzcafecoffee · 03/03/2022 16:19

I have had 2 and a colonoscopy all without sedation. I suffer from horrendous anxiety and hospital phobia and I got through it fine. I won’t lie, when the tube goes down your throat you will feel like you can’t breath and will gag but it is not stopping you breathing it’s your body panicking, so if you can breath deeply through it, it’s actually fine and a quick procedure. But, they will offer you the choice of sedation when you go in and if it really is stressing you then definitely go for the sedation. It will be absolutely fine which ever option you choose, good luck.

CityHigh · 03/03/2022 16:19

I’ve had 4 endoscopies as I have gastroparesis. I had my first with sedation and the other 3 without. It’s really not too bad. I think they get it over and done with much faster without sedation. Obviously it isn’t great but it’s not horrific. You do gag a bit but I wouldn’t pick one with sedation again. You can literally just go straight home and about your day afterwards.

I’ve also had a few colonoscopies & sigmoidoscopies (all with sedation) and I’d pick the endoscopy without sedation every time.

Jazzcafecoffee · 03/03/2022 16:21

Ps I also have emetophobia and was fine, no vomiting or feeling bad in that way.

CityHigh · 03/03/2022 16:21

BUT I have a severe fear of vomiting, especially vomiting/retching/burping etc in front of anyone.

You will burp. I do. Gag too. I don’t think I’ve ever thrown up during one but they do have a tube sucking things out of your mouth so if I have done that they’ve gotten rid of it pretty fast.

I gagged and burped whilst sedated too though. My Nana on the other hand, was sedated for one and can’t remember it at all.

QweenBea · 03/03/2022 16:21

@BlackInk

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!

I've had it without and it's bloody hard. Would definitely have the sedation next time Ask for one that doesn't last as long as lt time. It should not affect the next day

Iamkmackered1979 · 03/03/2022 16:25

I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy in November, sedated but felt fine the next day and not groggy etc wasn’t an issue at all I just slept after for a few hours and avoided driving but was absolutely fine by the next afternoon. I didn’t remember the endoscopy, the colonoscopy was nippy. I hope it goes well op

strawberryapricotpie · 03/03/2022 16:27

My DM had several recently, one without sedation and two with. Based on her description of the one done without sedation I'd definitely opt for sedation. Hope it goes OK.

TristesseDurera · 03/03/2022 16:27

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow

The sedation is great. Deffo have it.

Yeah, there is that too

Last time I had to have an operation on my bum, I had midozolam followed by a general anaesthetic (because they'd hoped to do it under local but couldn't). I didn't remember a bloody thing. I was on cloud nine.

They won't give you fentanyl or pethidine for an endoscopy though (I did ask).

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 03/03/2022 16:29

Yeah that Midazolam is good stuff. I’d quite like it every day tbh.

lonelydad2021 · 03/03/2022 16:34

Its awful. I couldn't finish it. Worse experience of my life.

EarlGreywithLemon · 03/03/2022 16:34

I had one a few years ago (private- not sure if that makes a difference). They said they would give me some sedation, but if they did I certainly couldn't tell - I wasn't at all groggy or sleepy then or later, and I remember it completely. I can't be sure, but wonder if they didn't use any, or used very little because I held up OK?

It wasn't that bad, and felt over before it started. There was a brief gag but not distressing. I vastly preferred it to the subsequent colonoscopy!

My mother had both too; she's very nervy and pain adverse but found the endoscopy a doddle.

nopuppiesallowed · 03/03/2022 16:36

I've had several endosdcopies with sedation. I suspect that the last one was the final one in the surgeon's day and he didn't give the sedation time to work before he pushed the tube down my throat. It hurt. Because of that, I know that I'll never have one without sedation. Ask for sedation and chat to the surgeon until you disappear with the fairies. It will be fine.

LightsoftheNorth · 03/03/2022 16:36

@Babdoc

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.

I'm always interested to see your posts Babdoc, suspect we are a similar vintage - I was an ODP in the days when they were ODAs!

Interestingly, here in our part of mainland Europe, you're still offered GA for gastroscopy, and if you have a colonoscopy and gastroscopy, it's straight to GA.

OP I think on balance I'd go for sedation.

longtompot · 03/03/2022 16:37

My friend had it without sedation and had a panic attack when they sprayed her throat so it was numb. She thought she was going to choke and couldn't swallow. They had to sedate her then. It is one of my worst fears, needing an endoscopy.

urrrgh46 · 03/03/2022 16:39

Have had 2. One without and one with. The one with was a private and the Professor was very much - nope you don't have this without sedation. Tried a sigmoidoscopy recently without sedation...my god - never again!! They couldn't actually complete it I was in so much pain!
My advice...if you're offered sedation for a procedure - take it!

mumofone2019 · 03/03/2022 16:39

This reply has been withdrawn

This post has been withdrawn at the poster's request due to privacy concerns.

Dembones292 · 04/03/2022 12:30

I had one without sedation when i was 16. I dont actually know what the fuck my parents were thinking, it was absolutely horrible. Never ever again. Had many colonoscopies without sedation since but I'd never have an endoscopy without, no chance.

Dembones292 · 04/03/2022 12:32

And the thing I've found with sedation is that you do come around quickly, it's just a case of putting your feet up while they give you tea and biscuits and do your obs and having someone give you a lift home. Not a major inconvenience at all.

Original poster

BlackInk · 04/03/2022 12:38

Thanks all you lovely people.

I went for sedation and although I was kind of aware what was happening throughout I didn't feel too panicked. Definitely some choking, retching, groaning noises made but very relieved now. Home and just feeling tired and a bit headachy.

Nothing much to report. Small hiatus hernia which I already knew about. But I have to have some scans done because he was unable to get the scope to the duodenum and small intestine - he didn't say why.

Thanks again. Now for a nap!

OP posts:

ScribblingPixie · 04/03/2022 18:15

I'm glad it's over and it wasn't too bad, OP. Good luck with getting sorted.

Hoppinggreen · 04/03/2022 18:17

I had one years ago with sedation and when DH needed one a few years ago he said he wasn’t having sedation.
I said he was an idiot - afterwards he agreed with me

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