Hi everyone, I am due my endoscopy in... - Gluten Free Guerr...
Hi everyone, I am due my endoscopy in the next few weeks, even though bloods appear to prove CD, Q - how bad is it ? Spray or sedation ? Tx.
I went for my endoscopy last thursday and was sent home because i went gluten free (as my GP told me to) so now im haveing to eat gluten and its killing me have till september 7th till i try again Not Happy
Ouch! Really sympathise with you on this. Due to a left hand not knowing what the right hand was doing I'm having to go for a second endoscopy as the first was only an ulcer check! It's the uncertainty that's the pain - I still have this nagging feeling that I could get a negative endoscopy report - but also the nagging thought that I'm fooling myself. I can imagine how you must be feeling about all this - hope you can stay focused till 7th.
I had sedation and would happily have as many endoscopies as they suggest. I have no recollection of it at all. I was also told that I would have a sore throat after which I didn't. Some people say that the throat spray is fine too. From what others have commented on is that if you are nervous, or have a gag reaction quite easily then go for sedation. You do need to have someone drive you home after sedation.
Do stay on a full diet because you can get a false negative if you've gone gluten free prior to the endoscopy. Good luck.
I don't like being poked or prodded around so I was sedated and it's only a stronger dose of a local anaesthetic and it's more important that you have the procedure than find that the throat spray isn't for you. Also what Jill says about needing to be driven home after sedation is spot on.
So good luck and let us know how you get on.
I have had both many times, spray only once and never again. as jillp says if you have a good gag reflex (mine worked during the colonoscopies too !) then go for sedation, but have a mate to collect you, you will have a very good sleep afterwards too as your gut will be empty and untroubled. I eat plain boiled rice as my first meal, medicine for me. good luck,
Well I tried the throat spray that wasnt happening , i tried sedation, that wasnt happening lol, so because im a big baby i had a GA !! but like i say im a big baby.
I have to say that afterwards i didnt have a saw throat either, as i had cameras going in both end! the worst after symptom for me was trapped wind where they pump gas into you, but i really didnt feel that bad 
Good luck
Paula xx
Definitely sedation - at my last endoscopy I was out for about 1/2 an hour and remember nothing about the procedure at all. Woke up and felt OK but did fall asleep in front of tv later! I had throat spray once - never again.
Sounds like we're in a similar boat - I had +ve blood test and endoscopy due on Friday.
Good luck
Thanks everyone, you have certainly made my mind up for me and it's obviously just got to be the sedation. Will let you know how I get on, cheers Mike.
When I had mine (both ends) I wasn't given the choice! So only spray was given (never again!) my poor mums had around six done over the years. The last one was with sedation she said it was much better and she had a nice sleep afterwards
Good Luck!!!
I'm in the same boat. Had negative bloods, but due to symptoms I'm have the endoscopy just to be sure.
Hubby is coming with me, as I will be opting for sedation.
I've been back on gluten for a couple of weeks now, my procedure is on 10th Sept. I feel awful, I'm hugely bloated, feel sick and yuck, well all my symptoms have gone up again....I have a feeling though that the test will be negative, and that I'll be told it's just IBS or some sort of food intolerance.
But at least my consultant has also referred me to a dietician who I hope will help me with the low-fodmap diet, as that was making a big difference for me.
Good luck on your procedure!
I've had two and was sedated for both and would thoroughly recommend it. There are no horrible memories, so it wouldn't be a problem if I needed another one!!
I kept my options open , I was very clear that although I was prepared to try the spray I would want the sedation if I could not cope ---the spray was absolutely fine, I could feel a little pinch when the biopsy was taken and although unpleasant was not painful,, I have a really strong gag reflex and cannot see any one on the tv with a tube in their mouths without gagging, and sometimes vomiting!!!! I would happily have just the spray again
I had endoscopy at both ends three years ago. I had sedation. No choice. A canula in the back of the hand, nice nurse saying "here comes the gin and tonic" and the rest was a strange 'trip'.
I remember this donut thing going into my mouth to feed the camera through, and seeing my gut lining on a monitor. The gastroenterologist showed me my smooth gut lining where there should have been villi and I asked loads of questions, like why there were still waste particles floating around in there. All very cool, sophisticated and scientific.
I think I groped a female nurse when they rolled me over. (how embarrasing, I must have been desperate).
It was a very pleasant experience but I had to be driven home and take a couple of days off work, during which I was unable to sign any legal documents. (Not that I needed to)
The worst part was the fluid I had to drink to purge my system over 24 hours before the endoscopy. All in all, a nice experience. If I had endoscopy gain I would want to try the spray, just to experience it. Even if it did make me sick.
They wouldn't need to explore from the other end now they know I'm coeliac!
Hi philaustin,
Am I right in saying you had your endoscopy at Bedford Hospital? I noticed that you were one of the members on the site to review it.
I'm due to have an endoscopy there next Thursday and wondered if you had any advice and what your follow up care has been like or if you've had any at all?
I haven't been told to drink fluid beforehand. I'll double check my leaflet to make sure.
Thank you
Mikes let us know how you get on.
FYI they give everyone the throat numbing spray. DO have sedation - you really really do not want it without it ; ) Take it from me and I've had 2 of the buggers.
Do tell them how much you weigh as they often guesstimate this and you'll want the right amount for your weight and height.
They get you to sit on a bed - then spray your throat and ask you to put a mouthguard in place. You then lie on your side and they'll begin with the sedation drip. It all takes around 10 mins max which is great. You'll also have your heart rate monitored throughout.
My top tip is do not sit in the room next door where you hear everyone having theirs or the colonoscopies as you often hear some odd noises that can spook you. I insisted on staying in the reception area until they called me as I am easily spooked.
The sedation means you relax and have little memory of the procedure. You get the results straight away - unless they have to await the biopsies i.e. sometimes they can confirm you have flattened villi and cd there and then. Do take a banana or GF biscuit to eat after as they never seem to have any GF snacks. You'll also need someone to attend with you otherwise they refuse to sedate you.
PS - as everyone says make sure you are eating gluten in the run up to the endo & do make sure you know what your hospital's procedure is ref no water/food and for how long before you have it. Some require you to drink a special solution to clear your bowels but a lot more now just suggest you avoid all food for x number of hours before and avoid any fluids for a similar period.
E give here (opps finger trouble sorry) I find I'm no longer worried, many thanks, will let you know how it goes, regards Mike.
hi all i had the camera down on friday and had the spray and the the injection.... i remember everything it was awful soar throat afterwards too.... just need to start the diet now cause im in so much pain...!! i have no energy whatsoever .....
I've had three.. No sedation.. There not that bad, yes u gag a bit, your eyes water and your aware of the dribble and snot lol.. But I'd rather be up and about and eating soon as possible..
Never had sedation actually so I can't compare.
I had the rear end one too with no sedation, there much easier and much more fun, because I wasn't drowsy I managed to fart very loudly during mine, there was five of them in there at one point to see what all the laughing was about..
Anyway good luck whatever you choose..
Defintily sedation, they try to talk you out of it and I was told the spray was fine, it wasnt, it was damned painful and I told them to stop,- had sedation didnt know a thing, was round immediately and felt as fit as a fiddle 2nd time asked for sedation and the same, didnt know a thing till they offered me a snack, and told me I had been talking to them and answeing questions, but knew nothing at all about it
Thanks lasydaisy, I appreciate everyone's comments and you guys have certainly made my mind Up, and it will most certainly be the sedation without doubt. As it happened, I had to see my GP this week and mentioned that I was trying to decide between the spray and sedation, and even she agreed that she would do the same. So thanks everyone, I'm actually quite laid back about the prospect of the day now, as I'm pretty convinced that it will be uneventful and possibly an anticlimax which is just what I want.
Sedation every time for me - had it for a colonoscopy and gastroscopy and dont remember a thing
No sedation and no anaesthetic throat spray either. Why? My son told me he'd had neither and I have had a previous reaction to dental anaesthetics. I was in and out within 10 mins. Yes, you gag when they take the tube & samples out - but the best thing was a running commentary and I was shown the pictures! I would do the same again.
PS son lied! He'd had the throat spray so had to be kept there for an hour to make sure he could drink water without suffocation.
Mikes,
I had spray and really was done in about 4 mins.
The only thing you need to remember is the sprat will make you feel like you want to swallow but you can't, once you know that - relax and you dont feel anything.
Beleive me I was frightened to the hilt, i cried all the way there. But thought - huh - get on with it and i did. I'd go again no trouble and no sedation.
I was with 3 old ladies, we all had spray and was fine.
i had spray and no unpleasantness at all , diagnosed coeliac last year after losing loads of weight , had lots of blood tests , now im fine and put on all weight i had lost , just a nightmare finding snacks and going to parties where theres sandwiches etc all with gluten and people make me feel like im just been finicky!!!
