Bronchoscopy and endoscopy: Hi, i was... - Lung Conditions C...

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Bronchoscopy and endoscopy

catlady181 profile image
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Hi, i was wondering if anyone can help. I had a endoscopy few years back which went awful! i was apparently sedated but i remembered it being a nasty and memorable expereince and was difficult & in the end the lady said to me she believes in future if i have this done again i have to have it under general anesthetic. I am however having issues with my lungs and lymph nodes going through lots of tests & now i have been told i need a bronchoscopy in 2 weeks! i showed the consultant my report i had from the endoscopy and he said he also uses the same sedative as my last procedure and said there is no other way of doing this unless i am sedated as they dont do general anesthia for it. I'm very nervous because of my last experience although he thinks it will be fine but has warned me if it doesnt go well then i wont have a diagnosis and i am worried i wont ever get treated for my condition! I am not very brave when it comes to these things even with blood tests but i manage them in the end only because i have very thin veins and the nurses can never find them or complain at them which then just makes me more anxious ( i do drink water before hand alot of it too sometimes it goes ok but many times they cant find veins... Thoughts please. x thanks x

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skischool profile image
skischool

I have experienced both quite recently,like you i do not tolerate endoscopies well as i have an exaggerated gag reflex,given that i have a very reduced lung function i am also only allowed the minimum of sedation . a lot depends on the skills of the technician doing the procedure and in my case as in yours they didn't seem particularly good at their job.

Now the good bit within the last 12 months i have undergone to very extensive and complex bronchoscopic procedures,skillfully carried out by my consultant,still with minimal sedation as this is required to keep your tidal flow breathing in order as the total relaxation of your respiratory system would both hinder the procedure and also be potentially dangerous for the patient,both lasted for more than 30 mins,i was conscious throughout but only mildly uncomfortable and if i showed signs of any signs of distress my consultant would gently administer further sedation to alleviate my anxiety.also with a bronchoscopy you should not experience the gag reflex that you would with an endoscopy.

Sorry this is a bit long winded but i hope it reassures you a little for any future procedure.

Ski's and Scruffy cat x

catlady181 profile image
catlady181 in reply to skischool

Hi thanks for your reply and sorry to hear about your issues.

I think you are right it does depend on the skill. Although there are many people on the internet who said they were basically knocked out with their sedation and remembered nothing about it not even gagging! that is how i wanted mine. When i had my endoscopy i remember tears just coming out of my eyes all the gagging and feeling awake moving around a lot too and a lot of stop starting i didnt know it was going to be like that and wondered how people just do that with a local anesthtic instead! Your experience with the Bronchoscopy sounded much better. Perhaps i was not given enough sedation or maybe they didnt really give it. I remember being sedated for my tooth being taken out many years ago and i was sedated but remember nothing of it at all! that is how i want this to be done. It doesnt help that i have already had a bad experience of it aswell i guess i just have to see what happens thanks anyway

Mooka profile image
Mooka

I’ve had 2 bronchoscopies. I was sedated for all 3 but was only fully aware for the first one the other 2 I was out like a light. Like Skischool I think it has a lot to do with the skill of the technicians. I also have pathetic veins but don’t worry about this as they have their own ways of dealing with this. I hope you get on okay and get the answers that you need. X

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