Gastroscopy sedation experiences

[greenied]

I’ve had a last min appointment booked for tomorrow morning. I’ve put off mentioning problems because I don’t want the camera. I struggle to cope at the dentist, I’m very sensitive and gaggy. The spray alone or conscious sedation doesn’t sound enough. I will fight them I know. The lady on the phone mentioned fentanyl. Do you think this will be enough?
Im asking for your experiences really and suggestions. I just want to get it over and done with. I have had some past trauma which I think has lead to me feeling like this.
I only saw the GP yesterday about it so I’m really grateful to be offered this so quickly. But I’m also very anxious.

My husband had to have one a couple of months ago and he was dreading it, he had sedation and the throat spray and he honestly wasn't bothered at all. He said the sedation made him less aware of what they were doing and if he was aware he didn't care, the procedure itself took 5 minutes so he was in and out. Could you maybe have a chat with someone in endoscopy when you go for your appointment, they are very good at what they do and will be able to advise you. All the best

I have had several, without sedation, but I prefer to know what's going on and I understand you couldn't face this way. My husband had one with conscious sedation and he remembers nothing about it. I had a colonoscopy with conscious sedation and all I remember is them telling me to turn on my side and it was just like in a dream. When I woke I remembered nothing else. The whole gastroscopy procedure is very quick too,I think mine were all around 2 minutes. You'll be fine,it really will be over before you know it.

I’ve had two.

The first one was conventional, where the camera went in through my mouth - unsedated, just with the throat spray. It wasn’t very pleasant, and I gagged part way through, but you just get through it - nothing is going to happen. The nurses are also amazing and look after you so well - one held my hand all the way through and the other talked me through what was happening at every moment. I’ve had conscious sedation for a colonoscopy and you genuinely don’t care or even really remember afterwards, so if you’re sedated, I’m sure you will be completely fine even if you feel scared now.

The second time was amazing - a more recent technique so might not be available everywhere, but the camera was narrower and introduced nasally, so I was able to speak all the way through, it didn’t make me gag at all, and I had no sedation, just the throat and nose spray. It was an absolute breeze.

If you’re able to have sedation, you’ll manage fine, I’m sure, but if you have the chance to try the nasal version, it’s worth exploring it.

Had one last year and the nurse who consented me really encouraged me to try without sedation and just have the throat spray! I won't lie - it was quite unpleasant but I just kept trying to breathe through it and everyone was so lovely and made me feel safe.. they then did give me the sedation because apparently my heart rate and blood pressure shot up and I felt more out of it after that. If I had to do it again I would ask for the sedation in the first place but think everyone is different - I was grateful that they were able to give it halfway through rather than abandoning the test. Really hope it goes well - I found reminding myself that I was in a safe place and being looked after helpful.

Ive had two and awaiting my 3rd. The first one i dont remember at all. The second one i dont think I was quite sedated enough. I'm also sensitive and gaggy, I remember gagging as they pulled it out had a bit of a sore throat after. It wasnt as bad as it could have been.

I’ve had 3 with sedation. Two I was out of it, one I was conscious but didn’t care! It’s fine.

Sedation is great. I've had 2 with sedation and I would never choose to do one without, personally. You won't mind when you're sedated.

By the time my throat was completely numb I was out like a light. Felt really tired for a couple of days after but it was over before I knew it. And I got a cup of tea in the recovery room. I had fentanyl too

Were you aware of anything? And how long until you were if that was the case?

@greenied they sprayed my throat. I was spluttering then they gave me the fentanyl. Next thing I knew I was waking up asking where my glasses were 😀

Have had endoscopy with only throat spray but was private and you get an extra spray than on NHS, think they were pulling my leg. I am extremely gaggy at the dentist, need impressions taken sitting upright and lots of breaks during treatment so similar to you possibly.

it wasnt pleasant but not awful, lasts longer than your procedure and Id do it without sedation again if I had to. i like to feel in control and aware. Have had short acting light sedation for something else and it was ok but felt a bit confused and woozy straight after.

Keep your eyes closed, listen to the operator and breathe through it, good luck!

I had throat spray and sedation with fentanyl and I was able to fight them off and pull the tube out, I didn't have a conscious choice in it, I was spaced out and very anxious, if I hadn't been under sedation I might have had a bit more control of myself. They gave up and stopped trying, I then fell asleep AFTER they stopped and woke up already in recovery wondering what happened. Decided to get a barium swallow test instead of attempting to repeat it as I knew my anxiety wouldn't allow.

I had the sedation, but don't think it worked well for me, i can remember it and had a nurse wrapping me in a kind of hug to stop me pulling it out, I remember gagging, and it going in, but it felt like it was over quite quickly so i must have been somewhat spaced out

I have had four and the sedation - I think fentanyl- put me to sleep each time with me only having the vaguest recollection of the mouthpiece thingy. Zero discomfort at time or after.

DH has it regularly, and every time they try to persuade him not to have sedation because it's easier for THEM. He agreed once, but never again.

Ive had 3. Each with sedation. Dont remember a single bit of it. I wake up and its done. Bit groggy and a bit of a sore throat but thats all.
Life saving procedures. Tk fk for them.
Good luck!

I've never had one but my 19-year-old son had one with sedation and throat spray a few days back. He gagged a lot and the notes say it was a tricky procedure because of poor tolerance, but I suspect they didn't give him enough sedation because he said he didn't feel it at all. He's well over 6ft and a big muscular lad and I don't think it touched the sides, but he did get through it. I'm amazed at how quickly you've got the appointment though - my son waited two years for a gastroenterology appointment and another 15 months for the procedure!!

Some of these experiences sound horrific. I was hoping to be totally unaware of anything but this seems to not happen even with fentanyl. I’d hate to be restrained, that’s a part of my past trauma.

Then tell them that. I need to be properly sedated as I won’t consent to any form of pinning down or restraint which is criminal assault without my consent.

Honestly mine were fine. Not unpleasant at all as I just felt like I’d had a snooze. I had biopsies too. I have to say though mine were with my longstanding gastroenterologist consultant privately through work health insurance.

I had one with sedation - I was really dreading it but honestly because of the sedation I was barely aware of anything and certainly couldn’t remember it afterwards! It was so much easier than I thought.

Try and focus on the positive experiences here - easier said than done I know.

I’m now beginning to wonder whether I was sedated or not before my colonoscopy and endoscopy last year.
My blood pressure was very high (white coat syndrome) and it took a while for it to come down, they had talked about postponing the procedure which made me even more stressed!
The endoscopy wasn’t too bad,I was quite aware what was happening but the colonoscopy wasn’t too bad really quite bad, I can remember moaning quite a bit.
Wasn’t drowsy at all afterwards. Has anyone else been like that after sedation?

Bad typing! The colonoscopy was really quite bad, it should say.

I had 2 with sedation ... really not a problem. Then another where they were trialling entonox (like you have in labour). I had the throat spray, then sucked in loads of entonox till I felt woozy and barely aware of what was happening. The advantage was that I was able to drive home as it wore off quickly.
I hope it all goes well for you. It is really not half as bad as you fear. You would not choose to have it done, but it is entirely tolerable and nothing to be afraid of.