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Original poster

ENDOSCOPY SEDATION/THIS AFTERNOON

37 replies

NorthMumOfTwo · 05/05/2022 08:23

Hello everyone.
I'm looking for some advice regarding having an endoscopy. I have an appointment this afternoon and I'm absolutely terrified. I have severe anxiety disorder so I haven't been able to sleep all week and my heart keeps racing when I think about what's coming up today. I am going to get sedation but I'm worried, will I be asleep? Will I suffer gagging ? Are you awake throughout and just get amnesia afterwards so you forget the whole process? I need any words of wisdom of anyone who has had one as I feel that nervous I probably will freak out and be unable to do it. Thank you 😊

OP posts:
GeminiTwin · 05/05/2022 08:33

I've had many of these.

They will cannulate you and give you a sedation so you're drowsy but can respond to commands. But the weird thing is I've never been aware of them and never ever remember a thing. Total black out. Make sure you're not driving as you'll be groggy for the rest of the day.

I had a bit of a sore throat after and they always take the tube out as I'm coming out of sedation (I've had 5 endos) and that bit makes you gag but you shouldn't be sick as you're meant to be nil by mouth. They're not the most pleasant but not half as bad as you think they'll be. They're super quick too. Start to finish is 10 minutes if you're easy to cannulate.

Good luck :)

GeminiTwin · 05/05/2022 08:35

As for feeling the scope go in I've never had any recollection. As soon as the sedation goes in your veins you'll be in another world or lightly asleep. But you won't remember a thing. You may remember bits as you wake up but as the hours go on they will fade.

5 endos and probably 10 colonoscopies and I don't ever remember feeling any drastic pain. Just a bit uncomfortable you may get some trapped wind.
I promise you'll be fine - if they're wanting to do one on you to test for something please have it done.

Honestly - you'll be fine :)

Chiefofstaff · 05/05/2022 08:40

I've had sedation for a colonoscopy and it was amazing . I was dreading it. A few friends have had endoscopies recently and said they wished they'd known before how easy it would be and they'd not have been so petrified. They literally have no memory of the whole thing. Good luck. It's normal to be really nervous if you've not had anything like it before l. I'd tell the staff how you feel. They will be very used to people who feel like this

Original poster
NorthMumOfTwo · 05/05/2022 08:44

Hello thank you for responding ☺️ Yes they need to do one as I've been unable to eat solids for 14 weeks as food gets trapped so they need to check to make sure nothing sinister is happening. I'm just a really nervous patient, my brain always takes me to worst case scenario with health matters. I'm just super terrified of being sick, being in physical pain etc that's the mean thing worrying me. Xx

OP posts:
GeminiTwin · 05/05/2022 08:49

You won't be in any time. Uncomfortable after due to trapped wind or a fry throat but if you end up waking or being aware they can top you up. Tell them how you're feeling.

But it sounds important so please make sure you go ahead with it. It's nerve wracking when you're new to it but if you're not eating solids it's important.

Pop some biscuits or a nice snack in your bag. They normally bring round biscuits and tea after anyway.

You won't be sick, your tummy is empty from being nil by mouth. Sedation works, that's why they offer it. The first one I ever had was just with gas and air and it wasn't thattttt bad. But sedation is a game changer. I promise you'll be fine :) (coming from someone with an ultra sensitive gag reflex and recurrent sickness hence the endos) I've never ever been sick during or after one.

It's honestly no way near as bad as you think. And it's over so quickly. 10 minutes and you'll be having tea and biscuits :)

GeminiTwin · 05/05/2022 08:49

You won't be in any pain sorry

Original poster
NorthMumOfTwo · 05/05/2022 08:57

Thank you GeminiTwin that's really helped. I've tried looking online and everyone has mixed reviews or horror stories which just make you worse, but hearing from you and how many times you have endured this procedure it's calmed me down. I will speak to the nurse and explain of my anxiety and see if they can keep me dosed up enough that I won't have any idea what's happening. And I haven't ate since yesterday around 9pm I was just worried incase the water I'm drinking would come up. As I've read the leaflet and said I can drink until 2 hours prior but I'm deciding to stop around 10ish and app is at 2.45 xx

OP posts:
Bunty55 · 05/05/2022 09:09

I have had two endoscopies and due another later this month. No sedation for me.. just the throat spray and lets get on with it.
First time I gagged a couple of times, second time I did not but I did have my eyes closed.

It does not last long is all I can say. It's not the most peasant of procedures but there is no pain at all.

Good luck

Neverendingmindfuck · 05/05/2022 09:14

If you have any bladder weakness take a change of pants and trousers.
I tried having an endoscopy without sedation and I had a panic attack.
WITH sedation, no bother 👍 (apart from coughing and wetting myself 🙄)
You'll be fine 🙂

Original poster
NorthMumOfTwo · 05/05/2022 09:19

Neverendingmindfuck haha thanks for that advice 😂 I'm definitely getting sedation I wouldn't dare try without I'd have a bloody heart attack. How come you were coughing? Do you have any recollection of your sedation or were you asleep?

OP posts:
MassiveSalad22 · 05/05/2022 09:22

I had one about a year ago, they said they wouldn’t knock me out fully but I was - woke up in a different room and it was all over! Just felt a tiny bit tender in the oesophagus sort of boob-height for a couple of days but other than that all fine. And I got answers - hernia rather than the awful things I was imagining, so well worth it!

Original poster
NorthMumOfTwo · 05/05/2022 09:26

Massivesalad22 did you have yours in the hospital or private? Mines hospital and I wasn't sure if the midazolam would knock me out or just calm my nerves and I'd be wide awake which I'd hate tbh 😒

OP posts:
MassiveSalad22 · 05/05/2022 12:15

Oh yes I had my privately actually, not sure what drug they used I’m afraid. Good luck today I’m sure it will all be fine!

sarahc336 · 05/05/2022 12:19

Honestly you'll be away with the fairies and now I can hardly remember mine as inwas clearly out of it, honestly you'll be fine xx

sarahc336 · 05/05/2022 12:21

Just to answer you'll be awake but you'll kinda be drifted off else where so your not really aware as to what's going on. When I had mine I had a lovely nurse sat by me to talk to me whilst it was done too, mine was nhs.

Original poster
NorthMumOfTwo · 05/05/2022 12:25

SarahC336 mine is NHS too. I'm bloody terrified. Its the thought of gagging and being sick I've got a massive phobia and I'm also thinking what if I choke on endoscope etc it's making me ill. I'm there at 2.45 today and honestly feel like backing out my nerves are a wreck xxx

OP posts:
Matchingcollarandcuffs · 05/05/2022 12:37

OP I had a failed one with light sedation, I just couldn't tokerate it but that was under pethidine. Did nothing for me.

Second time I had it with propofol and it was like being knocked out for a GA, I remember them telling me I was going to feel like I'd had a large wine then the next thing I knew I was out. I asked the anaesthetist after and apparently I did come aware and fight a couple of times and need topping up (and took a hefty dose) but I genuinely have no recollection of it, as far as I can remember I was out the whole time.

Interestingly I've just had an op under general and they used the same drug to knock me out.

Please try OP, if you struggle they'll put it down as failed and can book you in with heavier sedation, if you don't try they may not.

inigomontoyahwillcox · 05/05/2022 12:38

I had one about 3 months ago - I was also utterly terrified and cried in the hospital before the procedure! The thought of it was my idea of hell. I'll take you through my experience step by step:

  1. Entered room and sat down on bed, consultant entered and asked a few questions, including confirming that I wanted sedation ("hell yes!")
  2. Asked to lie on bed and hooked me up to some monitoring equipment
  3. Sedation injected
  4. Nurse asked me to open my mouth so they could place a bite guard in
  5. I felt them insert the tube into my mouth and I gagged very slightly
  6. I was then immediately wheeled out of the treatment room into recovery
... obviously there was a substantial period of time between 4 and 5 but I had no recollection of it whatsoever and was very confused as to why they didn't carry out the procedure.
inigomontoyahwillcox · 05/05/2022 12:40

*sorry, between 5 and 6

Original poster
NorthMumOfTwo · 05/05/2022 12:46

Inigomontoyahwillcox are you in the US or UK. I'm in the UK? I know the US use propofol etc which knocks people out to sleep.

OP posts:
Mummysgonetobed · 05/05/2022 12:46

Op I had one a few months ago and was also terrified, make sure you tell the nursing staff.
I had the sedation but honestly it didn’t do much for me. I felt it all and remember everything, I certainly didn’t drift off anywhere nice unfortunately! It wasn’t nice but it was over very quickly.
I hope it goes well for you this afternoon.

Original poster
NorthMumOfTwo · 05/05/2022 12:48

Mummysgonetobed that is what I dread it not working and me feeling everything. I honestly want to be in a nice calm drowsy state otherwise il have an anxiety attack and probably want to leave lol xx

OP posts:
Waystation · 05/05/2022 12:56

I have had multiple - all with sedation in the UK - my experience is being sedated and then becoming aware and asking why they did not do it/or when it’s starting - tell them you are nervous - you will be fine - please don’t cancel it’s so important to get this checked,

Jellifer · 05/05/2022 12:57

I had midazolam and remember them putting the mouth guard in and then the next thing I was in recovery and was dressed. Apparently I’d been very chatty after the procedure but don’t remember any of that!

I’m sure you’ll be fine, let us know how you get on.

WunWabbit · 05/05/2022 12:58

Hi, I had one in Turkey. Don't remember a thing. Was a very pleasant feeling after, warm and fuzzy.

I wouldn't worry at all.