Has anyone had a gastrocopy/ colonoscopy at the same appointment?

[Sosorryliver]

Stomach pains/ bowel issues/ anemia so I've got an appointment for both. They have sent leaflets/ prep stuff but it's for both procedures seperately. I'm just wondering about logistics. Do they do one after another? Or do they do one then recovery then the next one. Would you recommend trying without sedation or should you take all the drugs offered?

I have. I was offered sedation but the gastroscopy was relatively simple and not to uncomfortable. However the colonoscopy was horrendous and they were unable to complete it.

I am also very aware thousands of people sailed through theirs without sedation.

See how it goes and be prepared to take it if offered.

It’s not pleasant but we are so lucky we have the NHS. X

I’ve had both at the same time. They did the gastroscopy first and then the colonoscopy straight after and I then went to the recovery room for some tea and biscuits. I didn’t have sedation with either but wish I had as found them both awful. My sister had a colonoscopy with conscious sedation last week and she said it was a tiny bit uncomfortable but not painful

I’ve had both under sedation. They did the gastroscopy first and I have no memory of that, then the colonoscopy. I had to have additional sedation in order for them to finish the colonoscopy as it got very painful.

I've had both but not on the same occasion.

I would always ask for sedation for the gastroscopy. I've had a lot over the years and I've become wary of them. I would prolly ask for it for the colonoscopy too.

I hope all goes well for you

Unless you have to drive yourself home, or cannot get someone to collect you, I would advocate VERY STRONGLY that you insist on sedation for both. The procedures aren't pleasant and I do not, and never will understand (subject to the above caveats about driving yourself etc.) why some people make martyrs out of themselves and go without sedation.

I've had several of both, and will never do it without sedation. EVER.

Thank you, I used to know someone who did gastroscopies but didn’t do any other kind of endoscopy so. I wondered if I’d be on some kind of conveyor wandering from room to room. I feel sedation is the way to go. It just all sounds grim, I think maybe some kind of ulcer so possibly they can fix st the time if I’m already sedated?

I am feeling grateful for the NHS I had a blood transfusion then an iron infusion over the weekend. My hb was 68. Id probably have died in a lot of places.

my sister had polyps show up during hers and he removed them then and there. Hopefully with an ulcer they could deal with it then too. The gastroscopy wasn’t painful when I had it but just felt very unpleasant as felt like I couldn’t breathe properly and was choking. People with less of a gag reflex don’t seem to find it as horrible though

I’m not too concerned about the gastroscopy if I’m honest. More the colonoscopy but If I’m having sedation for one it might as well be both. A few people have said they couldn’t get through the colonoscopy as too painful here and in real life which is a concern. I think they offer gas and air for colonoscopy though which is an option.

I had both done at the same time. They did the gastroscopy first and then the colonoscopy. They were worth sedation and that was grand. Take all the sedation.

I've had a gastroscopy without sedation and it was fucking awful. I'll never consent to that again. Apparently, the sedation wasn't available because it was a Saturday and they had no one in to administer it. Never ever again.

With sedation, it was fine.

Hi had both at the same time. Sedation for gastroscopy first and honestly it was a breeze and I have a very effective gag reflex. Just before the colonoscopy I had more sedation, that was fairly straightforward, I could feel a little bit of pressure as apparently I had a very twisty bowel, that was uncomfortable but doable. I don't really remember much.
Good luck. I had a polyp removed.

Same here, except I didn't get any additional sedation for the colonoscopy and I also found that bit very painful. If I ever have the two done together at the same time again (unlikely, as it was awful) I will insist that they top up the sedation before they do the colonoscopy.

It's strange that I don't remember the gastroscopy at all, but felt a bit traumatised by the colonoscopy. I did complain to the consultant when I saw him for the follow up, and he talked me through it and apologised. That made me feel a bit better but it was a horrible experience.

It's funny, as I've had a hysteroscopy plus other gynae bits and bobs without any sedation and hardly felt a thing. Our bodies are weird.

That’s awful @DramaAlpaca I think they gave me additional sedation because I was ‘causing a fuss’! I distinctly remember the nurse telling me to shut up because I was crying and shouting for them to stop and it was upsetting the other patients then saying to give me more sedation. No way will I ever have one again!

I’ve had both - sedation both times but v light for colonoscopy, I was out of it for the endoscopy. I had a bit of pain for the colonoscopy but was bearable. Would hate to have endoscopy awake as I’d gag terribly.

@Iheartmysmart what you went through is awful too

I have had both separately. The gastroscopy was fine, the colonoscopy was painful.
I had an appointment beforehand with a nurse to prepare and she said there are no medals for tolerating pain. I took the sedation and they gave me fentanyl as well. I also needed gas and air during the procedure. The sedation didn't knock me out I felt fully aware.

I had one directly after the other. When they had me in the room lying down (and obviously the sedation had kicked in!) I asked if they were just going to go all the way through "like a chimney sweep"

They very patiently explained it was different scopes and they'd go in from both ends. They added a little extra to the sedation after the gastroscopy before starting the colonoscopy iirc. The stuff they spray at the back of your throat is weird AF too!

Hope everything goes well for you @Sosorryliver