Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

Original poster

Getting sedated later for Endoscopy. So scared!

14 replies

sinkthebridge · 27/08/2022 08:25

I've had an endoscopy before. I woke up with a really sore throat and that was it. But it was under General Anaesthetic (I was a paediatric patient at that time, age 15)

This time the options are sedation or throat spray. You aren't asleep for the sedation? It just makes you feel drowsy?

Sounds like my idea of hell - being too frightened but not able to express it or move due to sedation not actually putting you to sleep?

Can anyone help at all? What does it actually feel like to be sedated since you aren't actually put under like GA

OP posts:

Velvian · 27/08/2022 08:37

Sedation is lovely 😁

I've had an endoscopy and colonoscopy under sedation and it was fine. I've also had wisdom teeth out under sedation and it is honestly a happy memory 😅

Velvian · 27/08/2022 08:38

I hate being out of control too btw.

krazipan · 27/08/2022 08:40

I had an endoscopy last month with sedation. The dose of sedation given was so low I didn't really feel much effect. However the endoscopy itself was not at all as bad as I was imagining! I'd opt for no sedation next time. I'm surprised I feel that way!

Original poster

sinkthebridge · 27/08/2022 08:45

Thank you!

I'm really frightened because I have problems swallowing :( I have been referred to ENT because it is oxygen hard to swallow water for example, feels like I just can't swallow at times. So having to swallow a tube really worries me

OP posts:

Original poster

sinkthebridge · 27/08/2022 08:45

*often, not oxygen!

OP posts:

Velvian · 27/08/2022 08:46

Definitely have the sedation, op.

Mojitomogul · 27/08/2022 08:49

Had an endoscopy with sedation and was fine! Over so quickly. Would probably opt for throat spray next time. You will be fine. The sedation makes you feel really drowsy and calm.

mdh2020 · 27/08/2022 09:08

I had sedation was ‘lightly asleep’ so knew nothing at all.

Titsflyingsouth · 27/08/2022 09:11

Had sedation for my wisdom teeth and was asleep and didn't know what was happening. Was a bit groggy for the rest of the day when I woke up but nothing like the 'hangover' that comes with a general anaesthetic.

Forconfessingonly · 27/08/2022 12:19

I've had two endoscopys without sedation.
Have the sedation, it is over really quickly and the less you know about it the better.

endoNO · 27/08/2022 21:36

I had this and wish I had been sedated! It was an awful experience and I poorly tolerated it. I vomited multiple times and then started choking and coughing blood. It was painful and I honestly can't believe they even offer it without sedation! I was so angry afterwards, I can't understand why people can't just be under a general either? I've had a camera in my bladder (via urethra) and they knocked me out for that, why do I have to be awake for the same thing down the throat?

Good luck op, honestly I hope the sedation is enough and you don't feel a thing

LucyLoopyLu · 27/08/2022 21:49

My husband has had two without sedation and it is not a nice experience. I won't elaborate as it won't help you.
A female friend has had one with sedation and she said it was honestly fine.

Get the sedation!

Butterbean9 · 27/08/2022 22:03

I had it without sedation and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be!
The worst part was the numbing spray, it tasted vile and made my eyes water.

The endoscopy was over in minutes, didn't feel a thing and I went home about 15 minutes later.

The team who did mine were great, talked me through every step and made me feel at ease which helped massively.

If I'd had sedation, I would have had to be driven home and had adult supervision for 12 hours, which wasn't possible for me.

SeaBoat · 27/08/2022 22:17

I never had endoscopy with the scope down the throat. I had a colonscopy done with sedation. I vaguely remember parts of the afternoon. I remember wanting to relax and go to sleep on the bed while they were working on me but I was able to respond to their questions. I remember being fascinated with the screen. I vague remember enjoying reading my own vital signs and getting the nurse to turn the monitor to me. The only thing that was sore was my hand from the cannula and the injection of the sedation. It was all over in what felt like a few short minutes. I felt horrified because the procedure felt like it only went in for a minute or two. I was horrified that maybe they couldn't carry out the procedure properly and maybe I wasn't cleaned out enough. I had to come around in the days after that and presume it was done properly because they found what they went into look for - suspected diverticolosis and it was confirmed during the colonscopy.

I know a colonscopy is different to the endoscopy. I definitely would prefer colonscopy over endoscopy because you can lie back and relax with the colonscopy and chat away. Endoscopy feels different. Sedation takes away time from you. You are not aware of time passing. I felt a little but drunk after my procedure. I would love to go back and do it without sedation but it wasn't an option. I would love to have remained sober throughout the procedure.

Flip