Endoscopy

[emmetgirl]

I'm having an endoscopy on Wednesday without sedation.
Has anyone else had one? Without sedation? I'm only a bit apprehensive as I've got a pretty high tolerance for discomfort. I had a hysteroscopy earlier in the year and yes it was very much like medieval torture but I was able to manage ok.
I'm hoping that the endoscopy won't be too awful as I've got a rubbish gag reflex (don't ask) so am hoping that's an advantage!

I've had it done with sedation. How come your opting to have it without? It's far more pleasant being sedated!

Sorry I’ve only been sedated! My gag reflex is strong though.
Agree hysteroscopy is unpleasant but I’d rather that than an awake endoscopy!!!

I had one unsedated a couple of years ago. Maybe because I'm old, had no issue with gag reflex. Hope it goes well for you.

I was sedated and still put up a fight apparently. I innocently remember nothing, but the doctor was bemused telling about how I'd misbehaved and struggled :-)
Get sedated. It's easier for you.

Why no sedation?

I’ve had one with sedation, and would really suggest you take it if you can.

I've had one without sedation and I remember coming out afterwards thinking it wasn't as bad as expected. Obviously it's not the most pleasant thing to have done. You will get a numbing throat spray, definitely don't breath it in like I did!! Try and remain calm, concentrate on steady breathing through your nose and just 'swallow' the camera when instructed. Someone had told me beforehand about swallowing the camera and I think that helped me. Having said that, we are all different and know our own tolerance levels. Good luck.

I had one and it was unpleasant not painful, I could easily organise a lift plus childcare so it was the easier option. Would do it again if I had to but would have sedation if I could

I had one without sedation (wasn't even offered) in 2013. Someone at work said it was fine/easy, and it was horrendous. I was just constantly choking and gagging and vomiting acid/bile and I couldn't breathe (I can't usually breathe through my nose anyway) and the consultant kept telling me to stop being so ridiculous and pull myself together (it didn't fill me with confidence that he fundamentally misunderstood what a reflex is). I felt violated and shaky for hours afterwards. It wasn't painful, it was the constant feeling of not being able to breathe and not knowing when I'd get any more air. Pretty sure he's retired now though and hopefully things are better now. If I had to do another one I would insist on a) sedation and b) a chaperone as a witness.

I had mine without sedation and it was all over in 3 minutes flat. I was worried about the gag reflex but the nurse looking after me said that you still had the same sensation regardless of being sedate.

Its not that bad and its over fast

I really feel for you as I was scared before my endoscopy. On the day they couldn't get a cannula in so it was go home and sweat all over again or try with no sedation. I chose to just do it and it was fine. Not fun but certainly tolerable. The spray is an unsettling feeling as you can't feel yourself swallowing but the nurse should support you through all that. Sing Bohemian Rhapsody in your head and they will hopefully be taking the scope out as you finish!

I had one without sedation but I’d definitely opt for it if I had another. It is fairly quick and the minute the tube was out I felt fine, but I gagged through the entire procedure.

if it’s any help, remember that although you are gagging, you’re not actually going to vomit because there’s nothing in your stomach (if you’ve followed the rules). I had a lovely nurse talking me through the whole procedure but I definitely felt as if I was being a nuisance because I couldn’t control my reflex.

Hope it goes well for you and that you get a good result.

I had mine without sedation. It was fine, went on a bit too long as she was trying to take a biopsy, without that it would have just been unpleasant.

No sedation meant I could see the video immediately after and drive myself home.

I had sedation that didn't take effect (confirmed afterwards) and have a terrible gag reflex, also they took a while as they found a big hernia.

It was honestly fine, nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. You may sound like Barry White for a day or so afterwards 😁

Hi I had one without sedation a few months ago and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and it was over very quickly.

Thanks everyone. I'm waiting to go in for my endoscopy now! I'm sure I'll be fine :)

You'll be ok OP. I've had 2 with no sedation, as had another procedure previously where the sedation didn't do enough, and I was aware of everything but couldn't move properly and hated it.

I found my endoscopys to be tolerable, and though not pleasant, they were not nearly as bad as I'd feared. Hope you get on ok, it's also quicker than you think it will be.

Ok so I survived the endoscopy. It was ok until towards the end when I had a vagal response. I seem to get these after every procedure I have. I got very hot, was sweating profusely and felt really sick. Once it was over I laid still and was fine within 10 minutes.
So the endoscopy itself was uncomfortable but bearable but the vagal response was horrible!