Endoscopy

[Mysmallgarden]

Has anyone had this done? What was it like? We're You sedated? How long did it take? I've been referred for it but scared.

Were you, not we're you

I’ve had two.
First one I opted for light sedation, it was fine, wasn’t overly sleepy just ‘calm’, whole thing took maybe 10 minutes. The worst bit is the mouth guard.
the second time I just had the throat spray as I wanted to drive afterwards to go shopping. Was totally fine.
it doesn’t hurt and all the staff will put you at ease I’m sure.
Hope all goes well.

Wasn’t great fun. you do burp a lot. Mind over matter really, just need to stay still. Was in and out in an hour. No sedation as I needed to walk home and I don’t think you can do that, need someone with you if you have sedation.

wouldn’t be front of the queue for another one but it’s all over quite quickly. My most annoying thing was not being able to talk with the tube in and having a nurse person clearly only there for moral support who kept patting me. I hate people patting me and I couldn’t say so. Annoyed me more than the tube

I was petrified - absolutely bricking it, opted for sedation as a result and it was a breeze. I remember opening my mouth and them putting the mouth guard in, then them putting the endoscope into my mouth ... and then I was being wheeled out. I actually thought they had decided not to carry out the procedure as I was convinced they'd just wheeled me out straight away.

I’ve had one with throat spray I’m having one next month with sedation. I absolutely could not do it again. Staff were fab the bloke kept my head still and talked to me and kept me calm while the consultant did the procedure.

So basically akin to putting me in a headlock and whispering sweet nothings in my ear. I did it but it was mind over matter and really concentrating on breathing through the nose.

Once they get it past your throat it’s supposed to be easy but my gag reflex isn’t good if something rubs the back of my throat I gag, for example doing a covid test, so I was gagging during the procedure and tried to pull it out. He held my hand or rather pinned them down. Marvellous at his job he was.

Depends how your gag reflex is, how good you are at breathing through your nose and keeping calm.

@inigomontoyahwillcox you have given me hope as I’m dreading it.

I had one last week,I wasn’t asked about sedation,they gave it to me,I already had a drip in as it was an Emergency,they also sprayed the back of my throat.It was over quickly I was awake when they wheeled me out,but I couldn’t remember a thing about it.

I have to have another one in a few weeks,doesn’t bother me at all,also the Staff were all lovely which helps.

I had one done with sedation - propofol - although it was more like an anaesthetic as I went to sleep and woke when it was all over. I was very anxious about it but it was absolutely fine. When I woke shortly after it was like I had the best sleep ever.

I tried one, couldn't go through with it. They didn't give the sedation any time to work, tube straight down my throat. It completely traumatised me. Staff were awful. I probably should have complained, but I just wanted to get out of there.

I have no idea how I would cope if I need to go through this again, I may well need a GA.

I had sedation, told them I was nervous & I slept through the whole thing!

I've had two under sedation. They're absolutely fine. You're not asleep but the midazolam (the drug) has amnesic effects so you won't remember much and it will feel like it's over and done in seconds.

I had a Manometry and PH test as well which is Up the nose and down the throat and you cant have sedation then but even that was absolutely fine. I found watching a video of the procedure really helpful.
You can do this. I am a living breathing ball of anxiety and overthink everything but I knew I needed to do it so took some deep breaths and left it to the docs. Everything was perfect fine. x