Following a high fibroscan score I was referred to a liver consultant who wanted me to have another fibroscan last November (which was even higher) and blood tests which were done in March. To date I've heard nothing.
Along side this I was also referred for gall bladderproblems. Saw the consultant in September and was impressed at how thorough she was regarding other problems running along side and said she wanted me to have an endoscopy.
Now, over the years, I have had a number of operations without any worry. But, I am fretting over the endoscopy. My question is, has anyone had an endoscopy with just the throat numbing spray rather than sedation. I would rather spend as little time as possible in the hospital. What was the experience like, how long did it take and how long did any soreness etc last?
TIA
Written by
Wordesley
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I would strongly recommend sedation. It was all so quick and painless whereas the throat spray didn't make any difference to what was a horrible distressing experience. That may just be me though. Good luck I'm sure you'll be fine 👍
Hubby has had about 30 endoscopy's now - including having 42 varices banded.
He wouldn't countenance having one without sedation and has both the throat spray and sedation.
With sedation you shouldn't 'experience' the endoscopy and even if you do the sedation numbs it and takes away the memories.
Hubbies last endoscopy was the quickest ever - he was in and out of the hospital in less than two hours and that including waiting time, obs, canula in, actual procedure (less than 5 mins) and a bit of coming too time before he was back with me and sleeping off sedation for an hour or two.
Obviously with sedation you need to have someone with you for 24 hours and can't drive or operate machinery etc. in that time but it is far less traumatic than having them try and force the endoscope down if you do happen to panic. OK, if you are totally able to relax and 'go with the flow' but it is a challenge as it's going against your bodies natural defences i.e. the gag reflex.
He's never had pain from the actual endoscopy - infact this time he was tucking into sandwiches before leaving the ward. After banding though the pain has lasted into 8-12 days and demanded a soft diet - even a drink of water can be sore after banding.
Hi Wordesley, my husband had endoscopy last week. He didnt have sedation. I too had it a few years ago. Its a bit uncomfortable but doable. I would go without sedation again so it cant have been too bad. Slight sore throat the next day but nothing too bad. Hope this helps x
My husband has had many endoscopy procedures, some with sedation, some without. He prefers without these days, but it's not much difference time wise how long you spend. You still have to sit in a "recovery" ward for a bit either way. It's not long though, and a different atmosphere there to normal wards, much more of a "drive through" clinic!!When he was having banding and work done he went for sedation as we proved recovery time in the days after was actually smoother than when he went without.
Hi endoscopy is nothing to worry about, although I had sedation and not the numbing spray. I was terrified of not being able to breathe as they said sedation just relaxes you. I have no memory of the procedure what so ever!! Only at the hospital a couple of hours and no pain whatsoever.
I’ve had a couple of endoscopy procedures. The first was when I was an inpatient in hospital and I had sedation. Since then I’ve always had mine with a throat spray…it means it doesn’t disrupt my day so much. I can drive afterwards and get back home with minimum fuss. The spray itself has a bit of a funny taste. I think it tastes a bit like pineapple. It numbs your throat and the sensation is a bit odd but not painful. The insertion of the endoscope is a bit uncomfortable and you have to swallow it. Once this bit is done then the rest is straightforward. I can sometimes feel the endoscope moving around a bit but it’s not at all painful more a bit uncomfortable and weird. The operators are very skilled and it really doesn’t take long. They release air into the digestive tract during the procedure…so I burp a bit afterwards. My hospital ask me to wait after it’s over and take me through the report…I get to see pretty pictures of my stomach! They won’t let me leave for about half an hour afterwards and advise against eating or drinking for an hour whilst the anaesthetic spray wears off. I’ve never had any after effects…it’s really straightforward.
I don’t have sedation. I do have trouble with the camera going down my throat but get past this by concentrating hard on my breathing . It certainly can be unpleasant but you have to be involved. It enables you to clearly question the doctor afterwards and to get an immediate response.
If you don’t want to be involved or experience any discomfort go for sedation.
I too was terrified of having this procedure. My fears were unfounded. I didn’t have the throat spray as a friend told me it made him feel sick, and the last thing you need when having an endoscopy is to be heaving! Please try not to worry, it’s over very quickly and my throat was tender for maybe a few hours. I personally found the MRI scan much worse, but that’s just me.
Hi, I had one a few weeks ago, I was nervous about the tube going down, i had the spray taste like banana..and the sedation, but hand on heart it was painless and over very quickly. I could hear the doctor talking, but I kepted my eyes closed..I felt very relaxed, you are not in a deep sleep and are aware of people around you, Like others have said within hour and half I was on my way home..no sore throat after. I won't be nervous if I have to have it again. 6 mths ago I had a liver biopsy where they did the biopsy between my ribs ( as I was more afraid of a endoscopy ) now I've had both ways I much prefer endoscopy.. Good luck, you'll be fine .X
I had an endoscopy without sedation. I wouldn't recommend it if you're nervous already. I wanted sedation and they said I would be until I got there and they decided that as I had recently had a baby, I must be made of tough stuff and would be ok with just the spray. I found the experience a bit traumatising although I did get through it, went home straight after and was able to eat/ drink fine. I wouldn't want to repeat it without sedation though
Some of you are brave. I asked my gastro if they do scopes without sedation here in the US. It's not even an option. I've had several, and it's lights out, wake up in recovery. Easy peasy.
I had the throat spray and because I have a very strong gag relflex vomited several times. If I had another I would go down the sedation route (it’s only a very short stay in the hospital) if fact some who had sedation where out before me.
All my endoscopies except one were with just the throat spray. It's a little unpleasant but doesn't really take very long. The only one where I did have sedation was when they intended to go a bit further beyond the stomach, they were also checking for a bleed so, it would've made banding easier should it have been required.
Without sedation, its probably a 10 minute process, if that. When I had sedation I was well out of it for hours, which was a surprise to me. In fact it did take me a good day or so to get over it. That may though have just been my particular circumstance at the time.
Don't get me wrong, it's not a particularly pleasant procedure. However, it is bearable and they do try to make it as easy on you as they can. So, for me, throat spray is probably still the most practical, even though the later endoscopies got harder to tolerate.
I have throat spray and sedative....last one I had a couple of weeks ago I was asked to roll over put mouth piece in place....Next thing I was waking up in recovery!!! Perfect experience...I have done it without sedative but.then had to have banding and had to be sedated anyway !! Personally I prefer to not know or remember the experience !!
I went for the endoscopy yesterday and managed to do it just with the throat spray, not nice with the heaving and burping etc but I thought at least it's over.....then I was told I still had food in my stomach 18 hours after I last ate and needed another test after a 24 hour liquid diet......so not happy
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Has anyone had severe pain after varice(s) are banded? 
Thank you lovelies! Ultrasound Elastography? Anybody had one? 
CAP score and kPa
Possible varices
