Never quite know how to start a post, so hello all!
Thank you for all your previous advice, it can seem a lonely place sometimes with everything and still getting to grips with it all.
I have decompensated cirrhosis (diagnosed recently).
For many years I’ve had anxiety around swallowing certain types of food (not sure how this came about!).
Next week I have my first endoscopy which is causing anxiety due to this. Other procedures it’s just been a case of getting on with, as will this will have to be.
I would prefer not to go down the sedation route. Any advice on getting through it?
As ever, very much appreciated.
Written by
SirRobert
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Had an endoscopy 3 times, 2 without sedation and the last one a few months ago with.
My rational is there is an option and you approach the procedure in a non stressed and relax as much as possible it’s quite bearable, These people do it every day
The last one needed to go further and was advised sedation was not an option unless I insisted. I followed the advice and completely it was fine.
If you can manage yourself and control your body by relaxing that’s good but your body will react to the procedure, you have to expect that and not be surprised when something happens they said would happen.
Only you can make the choice no one will think less of you for taking sedation. The motivator for me is can get out after 20 mins observation and get in the car and drive off!
My hubby who has had over 20 endoscopies and 42 varices banded would never have tolerated the procedure without sedation. If you go without and varices are then found they often can't sort them there and then - requiring a return visit and additional procedure.
With sedation it's over in a flash and you should have no memory of it. The only downsides are the extended stay at hospital as you doze it off, inability to drive for 24 hours afterwards and the need for supervision for 24 hours.
It will trigger your gag reflex so unless you know you can control that then give serious thought to sedation. My hubbies line has always been that "Clever people invented sedation so you don't need to suffer so why would you go without?"
Best wishes for it.
* Regardless of sedation or not, hold your breath when they do the numbing throat spray as otherwise it will hit the back of your throat and trigger your gag reflex before you even start ..... a tip my hubby picked up and used successfully along the way.
I had my first endoscopy. No sedation found 3 varices, banded them straight away. No sedation. When I went for checkup I said, don't mind no sedation for initial camera but if I had any to be banded needed sedation. Fortunately all clear so was able to go home straight away. Good luck.
I had one a couple of years ago and I was worried like you when it came to it it was not at all what i expected I was holding on for dear life at first but there was nothing to worry about just felt a bit uncomfortable for a while it was done in 10 to 15 mins all over dont know why i worried good luck Lon
Hi, I had my first endoscopy a few months ago, I decided to try without sedation just the throat numbing spray (I was previously terrified of the idea). I wanted to be able to leave straight away and I also thought that if it was truly awful and if I needed another one, at least I had a backup plan, and could then try sedation.
I just kept my breathing very regular and once the camera had gone into my throat (they tell you the right time to swallow to help it), from that point onwards, I didnt swallow again, so even though I could feel it in my throat it didnt feel bad and I didnt gag at all. All I would day is that if you are not able to breathe fully through your nose, I would consider sedation, I am sure that is the only reason that I didnt gag!
Morning Sir Robert. I have a very sensitive gag reflex, so would never have managed without sedation. And they did comment on it too, as I was gagging under sedation apparently. They agreed sedation would always be the best option for me. I also think for me it's better incase they need to band, so it can be done at the same appointment.
The point about breathing through your nose has always been the key issue that has caused me to struggle through several endoscopies. For whatever reason, and despite trying various techniques, I seem to lose control of my breathing, which leads to a panic reaction and all that goes with that. I now always have sedation and it’s all over in a flash. If you have any reservations about nose breathing, I would go for sedation.
Until you have the Endo, nothing people say will to describe exactly how it feels to swallow the tubular camera. It is the unexpected if you have'nt experienced it before! It truly is not bad, it is only uncomfortable at point of swallowing (you will have a numbing solution sprayed at the back of throat to aid comfort. You will be told what to do at the swallowing of the tube stage. The procedure doesn't take long. When it is over, you will be pleased to sit in the ward having tea and biscuits whilst other patients are still out for the count, having had anaesthetic. All the best.
I’ve always had sedation- can remember very little about the procedure and been ok to go home an hour or so later just need a responsible adult to be there for 24 hours.
I've got a strong gag reflex and could never have it done without sedation and I need lots of it plus pain killers. I'm also terrified of them as I've ended up in itu a couple of times, due to massive bleeds not just endoscopy. All the doctors at my local hospital know what I'm like and just sedate me as soon as I walk in. Soon wake up afterwards, someone drives me home, can't remember any of the trips home, can't sign any legal documents for 24 hours, I usually sleep for 24 hours afterwards and my husband goes to work.My daughter had one and started without sedation but began to panic so they just sedated her and got on with it. So perhaps see how it goes they can always sedate you if you can't cope.
I had one a few months ago (there was no question of varices so it was simply a question of having a look around and taking biopsy samples). I opted for sedation - I would have had a general anaesthetic given half a chance! I have a very sensitive gag reflex and was scared.
I don't think my sedation was particularly strong and the IV felt a bit odd. I think it did not kick in fully until after they had finished. I felt alert all the time I was in the hospital and then slept all afternoon. That said, I did also feel calm and it helped that the medical team were very reassuring at all times. Swallowing the camera did not feel nearly as bad as I feared. I was aware of it going down and where it was in my stomach. Biopsies did not hurt at all. The most uncomfortable bit for me was actually when they brought it back out because they moved it quite fast. But before I had time to register I did not like that it was out and the whole thing was over.
You do have a choice with or without and it’s possible both ways I have had many and my way of thinking is, you have the procedure done and you can just walk out of the hospital or, you have the procedure done and you go to recovery where there is lovely people to see you are ok and have a cup of tea or coffee with a biscuit and have the procedure with hardly any discomfort. Personally I can not see the reason why you put yourself in the position of discomfort which it is with no sedation, it is definitely possible without but I only done it once. Good luck 👍
Thank you! Reminds of of an old music teacher who used to say when people didn’t want to pencil notes on a piece, why make things difficult for yourself.
last year I had an endoscopy and elected sedation. I required banding of 3 varices, one of which was ready to burst. I then required a further 7 bandings over the next few months. Each time I requested sedation.
In the early years I just had the throat spray during the endoscopy and didn’t find it a pleasant experience.
I thought to myself that you don’t have a filling at the dentist without pain relief, therefore I’m having sedation every time.
We are all different and some of us can endure different things to others.
It’s an individual choice. Although I’m not brave and we all suffer with a cirrhosis diagnosis. And if I can make any procedure easier, then I will.
The sedation route isnt bad I hought it helped secret is slow bresthing put your mind somewhere else and try and relax. Everyone is nervous and the staff know that. They are very kind. Its not as bad as you think its going to be. You aren't alone awways here for a chat.
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