Endoscopy

[Justwingingit2005]

Has anyone had one and should I take the offer of sedation?

Having one tomorrow so in the middle of 'prep' 😱

Sedation is nice, go to sleep and wake 30 or so minutes later to find it's all over.

@Justwingingit2005
I had one last year, and stubbornly declined sedation as I wanted to drive myself to and from the hospital.
Although the nurse who stayed by my side was so supportive, it was horrendous. I could feel every movement of the tube deep down inside my "innards", kept wanting to gag, and would have asked for it to stop, but didn't as I knew it would still have to be done at another time.
If I ever have to have another one, no way would I have it without sedation.

I’ve had three, two being fairly recent. I know I would never tolerate swallowing a camera and they have a job to do so the kindest thing for all parties was my being sedated. I slept like a baby with all of them and woke up from all fairly alert but wouldn’t have been allowed to drive.

I’ve got an appointment for one end of next month but it doesn’t say anything about a sedation or if I need to fast

Ive got to go back to the hospital in the next week or so so I’ll have to ask but I would definitely take a sedation

It’s very individually how people cope. I was fine without sedation and swallowed the scope ok , they numb the back of your throat anyway. The test lasts about 5 minutes max. I coped by focusing on counting! I didn’t gag until it was coming out.

I had one with just the throat spray. I'd advise sedation!

My mum had one and from what she said... sedation!

I had sedation and throat spray and was fine really quick and much less awful than I thought I was awake but woozy but honestly it was absolutely fine.

Sorry that sounds scaremongering. To be clear, she coped with it and said it was very uncomfortable. She did gag and described feeling it as per PP. No need to be a hero... sedation!

Sedation all the way. I get very agitated even when they spray the throat and put the mouth guard on which is prior to the snooze juice going in. I would not even contemplate one without sedation.

If I want to gag and get sick I'll stick two fingers down my throat, not a long tube to my inner mysterious bits. I bet the theatre staff are relieved to hear that.

I had one about a year ago with sedation but didn't feel at all sleepy, just relaxed.They fed the camera tube up my nose and down into the oesophagus to stop the gag reflex. It was very quick and not at all painful.

I had one without sedation and while it's not comfortable, if you concentrate on your breathing (through your nose) and keep calm it's fine. It meant I could leave after they gave me some lovely toast and I had a good chat with the doctor who did it immediately afterwards. Went out for breakfast with DH soon after it and I wasn't all groggy. I hate the feeling of not being in control and would worry I would wet myself or say something stupid if I was sedated.
I would go for again without sedation.

I have had two this year,both times with throat spray and sedation.Years ago I had one without sedation,never again.

The sedation used is very short acting,felt absolutely fine straight after procedure.

Yes and 100% yes! I don’t remember a thing.

Hi I’ve just had one this afternoon.

I had sedation and can’t remember a thing!

Wasn’t a fan of the throat spray and the mouth guard, but as soon as that was in they sedated me with Midazolam and Fentanyl and I just remember waking up in recovery.

Yes take the sedation! I had one with sedation and it wasn't a big deal because I was really out of it. However I do still have a memory of gagging and retching on the tube. It didn't bother me because I was so sedated, but if I'd been awake it would've been awful I think.

The sedation is short lasting and you recover very quickly.

I’m glad you started this thread actually cos I have a question myself.

Do you need to fast before a sedation? I’ve got an appointment and it’s at 10.30am. It doesn’t mention in the letter though of any fasting I need to do.

Yes, have the sedation. I have had one with and one without and definitely found the one with sedation way easier.
Yes you do have to fast before endoscopy
-because your stomach needs to be empty so they can see and take biopsies.
-because you might vomit and choke.
Surely they must have given some instructions? If not, ring them. I had to fast from midnight for a procedure at 2 pm the next day. They didn't do it till 6pm as they were so busy, so that was not great. It depends what time your procedure is booked.
You must have somebody to take you home and stay with you if you have sedation.

This!
I regret not having the sedation 😳

Take the sedation.

I had two earlier this year. The first one I had the sedation and although I feel they may have started before it kicked in it did help a bit. I was fully alert at all times but it definitely took the edge off what was happening.

I also had sedation for the second one but he had trouble putting the cannula in and I am pretty certain it had no effect at all (I felt absolutely normal for the rest of the day unlike the first one where I had a lovely afternoon of chilling on the sofa!). The second one was bearable but I definitely felt more agitated throughout it and it was much more unpleasant.

No instructions what so ever. All I have is “bring urine in a clean container and any medications you need”

Ive got to go to this hospital in the next week or so to have my hearing aid fitted again so I’ll bring it up when I go there. My appointment isn’t till the end of the month

Have the sedation. I did it without and it was awful. I vomited bile while the camera was inside and got so agitated that two nurses had to hold me pinned down to stop me from pulling it out. DH had it with sedation and was completely fine, but you do need someone to drive you home afterwards.

I did it without as the clinic was running many hours late, several staff members couldn't find a vein for the sedation (I had been fasting for 20 hours by that point, so dehydrated) and I just wanted it over with. The alternative would have been to come back another day and try again to find a vein.

Didn’t you get a leaflet with the letter? There’s usually a leaflet explaining the procedure, including any necessary preparation.

No. Literally just the letter.

I bet they forgot to put the leaflet in.