Ercp

[mandystar44]

Thinking I'm going to have to get one of these soon. Already freaking out about getting an endoscopy. What's it like?

[Millie09]

Hi Mandy, I have only ever had one myself but due another one now. I have end stage liver disease; since 2008 . I had to be persuaded as I point blank refused to have one done. Well my late father was the only one who made me have it done.. I was sedated and I knew nothing off it. I remember waking up in the theatre, bit groggy but shocked it was all done in 15 mins! I had a cuppa and a sandwich in recovery. No varices was found apart from a duodenal ulcer. There is nothing to fear 😊. You won't even know anything about it apart from a sore throat for a few days and sleepy after the procedure .. I don't want another one done as I don't have my dad with me here anymore. I'm not a kid; I'm a grown woman with 3 children and 6 grandchildren but they will keep me pushing forward. Good luck if you have to have this done . Love Linda x

[jojokarak]

Make sure you get the sedation and as millie says you won't feel or remember a thing. I had 40 plus in a year and my husband says it was the happiest I was for rest of the day after an endoscopy all because of sedation 😁

[Identity75]

ERCP is fine as you will be sedated for this so it's. Erm unlikely you'll remember anything. Endoscopy on the other hand they normally give you the option of sedation or just a numbing throat spray. I've had a few done and a couple of times haven't had the sedation. What have I learnt? Always ALWAYS have the sedation. I really don't like the procedure. Find it very uncomfortable. It's not painful just not nice. Both procedures don't take too long but nonetheless get the sedation.

[vulnerable in reply to Identity75]

Totally agree

[pishi1]

I have had two endoscopes and second one much better than first. Over very quickly. I can think of worse things. I has sedation. You will be fine.

[fizzix50]

My husband has had these many times; you can have the sedation, or just the throat spray. With the spray you can leave straight away, with the sedation you need to wait at least an hour before discharge. He has always had the spray so far; he says they are uncomfortable but not painful. However, this time he is going for sedation. I think if it was me I would go for sedation every time!! As long as you have someone to drive you home it's not a problem. Hope it all goes well for you....

[goonergal]

I've had 3 at KCH and there they do ERCP under general anaesthetic . You won't remember anything

[RonShirt]

I've had two Endoscopies. The procedure only lasts about 10 minutes and one is offered a local anesthetic if you think you want it. The first time I opted to not have it and found the procedure to be slightly uncomfortable but not too bad and was over before you knew it, basically. The 2nd one - again without anesthetic wasn't quite so comfortable and I started gagging a bit, but it wasn't intolerable and was soon over.

So that's my experience.

Ron

[Mushroom-71]

I had one last week but it didn't help that the dr questioned why I was having it done when on beta blockers. I snapped at him as Oh I had nothing to do today so I thought I'd come and get one done didn't realise that you can just book procedures yourself. Anyway I had sedation and they woke me up after an hour and don't remember it,

[bobbycat in reply to Mushroom-71]

Yes I was like you Mushroom 71, I have had five. All with sedation which didnt knock me out so I gagged but really thats it...throat spray helped too......staff were great which helped and in the end I am very glad I had them done.

[grace111 in reply to Mushroom-71]

😂 maybe i shouldnt laugh but i thought that was funny what you said to the doctor. 😂

[Jeannieb12]

No one worse than me ... I turned an endoscopy down twice .... But on the day it was fine ... I had sedation and unlike others remember the whole thing BUT I felt no fear ... It was quick and you will gag ... But I was euphoric afterwards to have done it ! Insist on sedation that's my advice.

[LAJ123]

Mandy,

As you have seen from all of the previous posts, there is nothing to worry about. I've had a quite a few as I have them regularly for Barrets Oesophagus.

As Franklin D Roosevelt once said - "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself "

Just make sure the person doing the procedure knows how scared you are, then they can make sure you have just the right amount of sedative.

Best wishes and please come back and let us all know how it was for you.

Jim

[navitra]

Is only Chelsea Westminster hospital don't do the sedation for endoscopy? Before they use to do the spray and I had an horrible experience. I haven't idea I was allergic to lidocaine I was conscious I remember fought with all my strength to stop all this nurses and the doctor. The worse happened after. I could not see from my right eye, my face was swollen red with many broken capillary, nausea,a strong headache ect. I was very sick for about a week and I had tinnitus for 2 years. My GP told me they have touched something near the ear. Now is few years my hospital doctor want I have one but every time I refuse. I know I have to decide but if the Chelsea Westminster hospital refuse the sedation I'm considering to go privately. I can't have without. I have to be sure I can't feel nothing.

[bobbycat in reply to navitra]

Insist. It is your right and if they won't do it ask to go elsewhere...good luck. If it is just to look in your stomach some hospitals use a pill camera...that is very easy. I has it done..swallow the tiny camera..easy to do and you wear a harness that records as pill travels and later the data is seen by the consultant. Sheffield hospital do it so I am sure many others do.

[navitra in reply to bobbycat]

Thank you for your reply. I like the idea of tiny camera. I think they do just in private clinic. I remember seeing it in a television program in Italy.

[bobbycat in reply to navitra]

Hi..the camera is NHS in the U.K.

[navitra in reply to bobbycat]

I have to find which hospital in London do.

Thank you again for the information.

[toma123]

I've had an ERCP and 2 endoscopies all were done under sedation I don't remember a thing they just put you under then you wake up. You do feel a little groggy for a couple of hours after having it done and shouldn't drive or operate machinery.

[stuart68]

I took sedation when I had mine,,, would have no fear about getting it done again.

[Identity75]

There is some slight confusion here I think. An ERCP is slightly different to an endoscopy, please correct me if I'm wrong. An endoscopy is used to check your throat and goes as far as your stomach, this procedure is relatively quick 10 minutes or so and you should get the choice of sedation or the throat spray.

An ERCP goes further into your small intestine and then a further wire led feed goes into your bike duct up to your gall bladder and liver. This obviously takes longer and is that much more invasive. As far as I am aware this is not done with theist spray alone and will always be done under sedation.

I hope I'm telling you right here. I've had both done and that's my understanding.

Either way it's better to have it done than not. You'll be fine I'm sure. All the best.

[Identity75 in reply to Identity75]

Bile duct, not bike 🚴 duct. Lol. Stupid auto correct. Not sure what a bike duct is but if I've got one it's probably broken.

[grace111]

i think you were quite right. xoxoxo

[Mushroom-71 in reply to grace111]

Thanks gorgeous all the best hope it goes ok for you xx

[janine541]

Hi Mandy

I have had one of these done with just the spray on my throat. It didnt hurt. It was just un comfortable. I would definantly advise sedation.

[georig]

Hi

Don't stress or worry about it. I chose to get knocked out - had a great sleep, remember nothing and no ill effects.

[1Lee1343]

Hi Mandy, I've had a lot. Propophol is a wonderful sedation. I've got NASH Cirrohsis since 2004. Hang in there you will be fine hun. I still freak out.

[Hidden]

Hi Mandy please don't worry about the endoscopy.....have the sedation and you won't even know a thing. I have had 7 or 8 in the past 2yrs and it's nerving but it's done in 15mins....take care.