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Original poster

endoscopy and sedation - should I or shouldn't I?

53 replies

ellymae · 05/03/2009 14:40

I know there have been a load of discussions about endoscopies in general over the last few months but I just wanted to do a quick poll on whether I should go for sedation when I have mine done later on this month.

All the info you get from the internet and the hospital suggests its a simple quick procedure and should be managed with just a throat spray to numb the pain. Only those of a nervous disposition seem to be encouraged to have sedation!

However anyone I've spoken to in RL who has had an endsocopy has recommended without question that I go for the sedative! So what do you think?

If I do go for the sedative, how likely am I to feel a bit washed out the next day? I'm supposed to be having friends and their DC's round for a very informal birthday tea and cake for my DD who's birthday will be the following day (ie two days after the endsocopy). Will I be up to hosting?

thanks!

OP posts:

LongGoneBeforeDaylight · 23/06/2013 12:23

Just read a bit more of this thread. You don't have to swallow the tube, OP, they push it down your throat for you. You don't have to do anything.

A word of warning on the throat spray - it will make your tongue feel weird and it will feel like you're not swallowing when you are. They made me feel a bit panicky, but I am of nervous disposition.

gingeroots · 23/06/2013 13:43

Sedation .
You'll be fine afterwards.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/a1785975-Endoscopy-with-or-without-sedation#39867599

angeltulips · 23/06/2013 13:49

DEFINITELY sedation

digerd · 23/06/2013 19:23

It does depend on how nervous a person you are. I was terrified and kept asking for a GA, but they wouldn't do that as said I must be conscious?. I was given a light sedation of valium I think it was, but it was the calm manner of the young woman doing it that helped me.
No, the gagging is unpleasant, but lasted only a second or two.

I was calmly told what was going to happen and that I would feel no pain with the biopsies as the stomach has no pain nerves and I felt nothing when she said she was taking them. Good luck

digerd · 23/06/2013 19:30

Ps. You must have it done on an EMPTY STOMACH. No eating for at least 12 hours before. So no breakfast at all, I'm afraid.

Pitmountainpony · 25/06/2013 02:14

Had one last wee- awake with sedation.
yes take the sedatives- it is a very unnatural sensation to have what feels like a gold club thrust down your throat....i was fighting them off even though i was sedated- reflex.
But it is over very quickly and you will be fine- take the drugs on offer!!

mrssprout · 25/06/2013 02:32

I had sedation, one minute I was handing over my glasses, next thing I remember is being offered a cheese sandwich ! I felt fine straight after, no lingering tiredness from the sedative, I would say have the sedative.

Slavetothechild · 25/06/2013 23:20

Go for sedation , I did it with just the spray as I'm needle phobic ! Not terrible just unfortable and i continually reched and the spray was vile. Good luck

OhYouBadBadKitten · 26/06/2013 13:39

zombie thread :)

StuartB · 23/09/2013 13:20

I was at the Glasgow New Victoria this morning for a Gastroscopy Because all the short procedures were being done in the one room I had to wait about an hour . It was done with a throat spray as I had opted for and what was going to happen was explained ...so with glasses off and dentures out my throat was sprayed with an evil tasting anaesthetic which worked quickly .The mouth guard was inserted and the 'scope was removed from the cabinet where they are sterilised and connected up...the end was inserted through the guard and although I gagged slightly one swallow and it was on its way down .I was being encouraged to concentrate on my breathing and must have done all right as I did not gag again once ..a couple of biopsies were taken and then the 'scope was withdrawn . I was told that nothing problematic was seen and the biopsies were to check that nutrients from my food were being taken in .
To anyone thinking of having this procedure with the throat spray I would say go for it and relax and concentrate on breathing steadily and calmly and it will be done in a few (5?) minutes

idiot55 · 23/09/2013 21:58

I had sedation, nightmare, really bad reaction, still havevflashbacks.

Wolfsome · 15/07/2014 19:28

Wow, just did the endoscopy, took me a lot of effort to convince the doctor and nurses that i absolutely dont need sedation. the whole thing took 3 min, minor discomfort only! are you kidding me?? i had 100 times worst puking my guts out after crazy party drinking, this is nothing! don't be wimps folks seriously... Now, from the other end, i wouldnt do it without sedation for sure!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 16/07/2014 11:55

Wolfsome I'm having an endoscapy and colonoscopy next week.
Under sedation.

I won't be sedated for any dental work (had 4 wisdom teeth out and years later a couple of my molars , with local analgesia)

But I'm going to be so meh after the Starve'n'Laxative that I'll probably appreciate being well away before the tubes start going in.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 26/07/2014 14:03

I've had mine done, (under sedation)
I remember feeling the gag reflex with the endo, but nothing more
With the colonoscopy, I can remember the discomfort (not painful, more annoying) when they were taking samples etc. and I was trying to protest (grimacing but I don't think I made sound).
They said "We'll just give you some painkiller" but that's all I remember really.
But it's all a blur.

And I bought some Deflatine that I didn't need, the trapped air didn't stay trapped

MrsMcRuff · 26/09/2014 17:39

I know - old thread!

I've got one next month. Had this mad idea of practising for it by swallowing whole strands of (cooked!) spaghetti. Haven't tried it yet!

Don't know whether I'm more scared of the procedure or the sedation, tbh.

Viviennemary · 26/09/2014 17:44

Have the sedation. I did and it was fine. DH had had one a while before me and he didn't have the sedation as he wanted to drive. He said it was awful and he thought he was going to choke.

CariadsDarling · 26/09/2014 17:48

I did it without sedation once upon a time and it was horrific. I truly thought I was going to die.

Mylittlepotofjoy · 28/09/2014 10:54

I've had both in the last month !! Not pleasent and when I had the sedation it did nothing as I had worked my self up so much :( but if you are normal lol I would go the sedation route.

lindafrances · 28/03/2016 14:12

Had sedation for an endoscopy at 10am was doing the weekly shop at 3 felt fine a little tired following day but didn't disrupt my activities

RockiePlace · 28/03/2016 17:56

Have the sedation. I didn't-it was quick but it wasn't pleasant. I wouldn't do it again without sedation.

longdays · 28/03/2016 20:40

I'd have the sedation, but it does have an amnaesic effect. A friend of mine had it, was driven home by her mum and all was fine until a week later when she discovered that she had ordered a brand new king size mattress for her bed.
She had no recollection at all

nannajanna · 30/07/2019 18:34

I am having a colonoscopy and gastroscopy next week and am very unsure about whether to have sedation or not as I had a very bad reaction to local anesthetic when I had carpel tunnel op years ago and am not sure if sedation is same as local anesthetic or not.Any advise please

Egghead68 · 30/07/2019 18:42

Omg - have the sedation for the gastroscopy (it’s basically like swallowing a broom handle, having it pushed all the way in and wriggled about). You want to be as out of it as possible.
One study found that only 6% of people who had had gastroscopies would have them without sedation next time. Another found that only 2% of doctors and around 37% endoscopy nurses would have them without sedation.

Outsomnia · 30/07/2019 18:48

I hope I never have to have either colonoscopy or endoscopy. I think I would need to be sedated from the night before!

I have a dreadful gag reflex, that makes even the dentist visit a challenge very often. But I opted for twilight sleep sedation there for some long work and it was the best thing ever. EVER!

For me it would be sedation all the way. Some people are great without it, some like me are not. Whatever makes you feel comfortable. No need to be brave if you do not want to be. I'd say myself that hospitals and clinics prefer sedation in their patients. Fewer panic, gagging and rejection incidents. Job done and you feel floaty for a while. Give me more!

I admire anyone who could have anyone put anything down their throats. Fair dues to you all.

Egghead68 · 30/07/2019 20:11

Be warned that NHS clinics tend to pressurise you to go for the throat spray only, so it’s quicker for them. My advice is not to fall for this. Be aware that most NHS endoscopy suites are designed so that the people waiting for endoscopies do not come into contact with the people who have just had them. There’s a reason for that ...

In case you need any more convincing to have the sedative, gastroscopy has also been described as ‘the worst blow-job you’ll ever give in your life” and “like deep-throating a golf-club”.

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