I’m booked in for the above echo in December and feeling really anxious. I’m worried I will feel like gagging as I have always dreaded having this type of camera.
If you have had this done, can you please share your experience (good or bad) so I can prepare myself? 🤞
No big deal. Sedation and throat spray solve most problems. Well done for spelling it correctly by the way.
Haha I did copy it from my hospital letter 😆
Concur with Bob. A very thorough, comprehensive exam that is of great benefit.
See in your bio you are only 44. Should be a breeze with no or few side effects.
May I ask, what is the picture in your avatar ? 
Only today I was top & tailed, neither are pleasant but I'm sure that I didn't help myself by just going for a throat spray. I did initially gag and then settled into concentrating on breathing through one nostril. It worked most of the time but did gag a bit the deeper they went in. The other option and speaking to a lady friend (who had it)is to have a mild sedation, she had it and then remembers just coming around.
Haven’t had an echo, but have had a gastroscopy. Whilst I certainly wouldn’t recommend having it done without sedation as I did, I can report I was having a nice cup of tea and a sandwich within half an hour. By evening wouldn’t have even known it had been done. You’ll be fine.
Agree with Bob I had Transoesophageal Echo & RF ablation a month ago both under GA. I woke with a sore throat but nothing to be concerned about it soon passes.
Apparently I’ve had it done under GA but I was none the wiser. I think after 1 cardioversion, 4 ablations, insertion of an ICD after cardiac arrest, plus many tests including an adrenaline one whee they forcibly increase your heart rate, I’m sick of being poked and prodded 😆🥹
The tea and sandwich sounds lovely though - that’s definitely the best part 😀
i've had 2 within a year both under sedation and spray and i had no issues during or afterwards
Hi
I had photos down my nose to voice box.
I didn't gag.
I'm sure it will all go well.
cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)
I've had the camera down my nose too with no problem but am absolutely terrified of one down my throat; even having my throat numbed I panic. It's the one and only procedure I absolutely dread. It's been suggested a few times but I refused.
I’m the same - it makes me shudder every time I think about it 🥲
Hi
Well, I had that down my throat as the surgeon used it but I was under GA through the throidectomy.
Yes I had a sore throat. I fed on smoothies, cool and soothing.
cheri JOY
Please don’t worry. They numb your throat & I must have been mildly sedated because I didn’t remember them even inserting the camera. Believe me it’s just not worth fretting about.
Hey BeeBee, I notice we're similar in age so thought I'd chip in. If it helps, here's my experience of my TOE earlier this year: holeyunexpected.wordpress.c...
In summary, once my throat had been numbed I just slept through it!
You'll be fine, honest.
Thank you so much - I just read this and feel much more assured about the procedure itself 🫶
Thank you. You have a great sense of humour.
Thank you! Humour carries us through this funny old life...
I’m not sure of my reaction. The endocronologist may have sprayed something into my nostril and the camera went in and down. All over in a jiffy no issues. You will be ok!
Had an endoscopy years ago with sedation, which was ok.Hate to say but I didn't have a great experience with the TOE, as they had to stop sedating me pretty much as soon as they started, as my oxygen sats suddenly dropped to 70.As someone who gags brushing their teeth, it was not great being awake through it and of course, in a panic as well, after hearing the imaging consultant yelling at the others to stop sedation.
However, he was reassuring me constantly and there no were no adverse effects after, though the oxygen did take a while to come back up to completely normal.
I did tell him though, if anyone came near me again with that thing, it would end up as a colonoscopy for them!
Just try and keep calm and I'm sure you'll be ok.
"I did tell him though, if anyone came near me again with that thing, it would end up as a colonoscopy for them!" 🤣🤣🤣brilliant!
Yes! I've had it twice. Just as it got uncomfortable I remembered no more. I commented to the doctor later that I didn't realise I'd be unconscious and he explained that I was not, but they use a sedative which is also an amnesiac so you don't remember the swallowing bit. How clever is that! It's a drug beginning with letter M but I can't remember the full name (fittingly!). You'll be just fine xx
It's midazolam or gin and tonic as my cardiologist calls it. Great stuff, I've had it before but just wasn't sure if they sedate you enough so you're unaware.....
I was clean out of it, or rather I thought I was, but they said I was cooperating and communicating, so it's just an illusion. So weird!
i had very light sedation, didn’t feel a thing and watched the screen the whole time, must have been slightly out of it but didn’t notice. The consultant said he’d done thousands and i believed him I couldn’t feel the camera go down at all.
After mine I had a sore throat etc that lasted for weeks which the doctor said was stomach acid prescribed omeprazole which made things worse. So I reasoned for myself: how can I soothe over a long period of time the irritated gut? The answer was to finish each meal with a bit of fromage frais, ie something sticky. That worked. If it was just a placebo it was a tasty one!
I've had several. I was like you before my first one! Can hardly say that it's a great experience but the staff are marvellous at putting you at ease. I had midazolam , fentanyl and throat spray so got through it OK in the end!! It looks like I shall need another one soon but can say that I will be not be unduly concerned.
Definately have the sedation it helps you relax so much .It is a bit unpleasant but easier if you can relax whilst having it done.Your throat might feel slightly sore on one side for a few days after.I had mine done at Leeds General Infirmary and the staff were famous. So kind and patient and reassuring. All the best .
I had one last year before my ablation. I was so anxious before hand but with the throat spray and sedation I didn’t feel a thing.
I’ve had it done no problems. Ask to be sedated. It’s over very quickly and before you know it you will be drinking tea and eating biscuits.
You feel nothing since you are generally under anesthesia but if you aren’t they give you two solutions to take which are very small amounts. You will feel nothing and the exam is quickly done. I have had it during a Cardioversion procedure and everything went well.
I always tell the cardiologist I am a gagger I tell the same to dental staff.
Urghh I'm definitely a gagger😅
Hi, I had a TOE 2 yrs ago at age 72. I was given the choice of no sedation and go home in an hour or so, or sedation and have to stay for 4 or more hrs. so only had throat spray, bit uncomfortable but didn't gag, lasted about 45mins. good luck
Agree with Bob, had it done twice and no issues at all.
I had one a couple of weeks ago. I'd been terrified due a negative experience a long time ago, but it was absolutely fine and I felt like a bit of a numpty getting in such a state about it!
The throat spray meant I didn't feel a thing - even though I have a very strong gag reflex - and the sedation made me so relaxed I probably wouldn't have cared even if I had! It was over really quickly and I hadn't been at all uncomfortable throughout.....apart from my fear leading up to, that is. 🙂
I was sedated and did not feel a thing, although I did have a scratchy throat afterwards.
Nothing to worry about, you will be asleep and it lasts a few minutes. I have had several done? Just know that you will drowsy for about 2 hours and cannot drive home that day. Also, the throat will be a little sore for a couple of days! Just relax!
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