Gastric endoscopy

[LeopardGizmo]

I have to have a gastric endoscopy done tomorrow, and I confess I’m terrified. Has anyone had this done? Can you tell me a little about what to expect during & after?

[ButterflyEffect96]

You can ask for sedation and pain relief and they should also give you a throat numbing spray. Most people don’t remember the procedure however I’m a bit of a weirdo and pain relief and sedation doesn’t really touch me so I remember it all. I personally found it to be uncomfortable but the procedure is so quick (approx 1-2mins) and the consultants are lovely so it was over soon. You don’t have anything to worry about just make sure to communicate or tell them if you’re nervous. The endoscope is a tube with a camera at the end which just travels through your food passages, just focus away and you’ll be fine. Good luck 😊

[LeopardGizmo in reply to ButterflyEffect96]

Thank you! Sedation doesn’t usually touch me either, and I have a powerful gag reflex, so I was worried. I’m glad it’s quick, & I’ll tell them I’m an anxious ninny 😬😁. Your reply is really helpful. 🎈

[whisperit]

I thought I'd tough it out without sedation. Error. Definitely request sedation, and have someone to drive you home afterwards too. Hope all goes well x

[Frosty1960 in reply to whisperit]

I always find im fine with throat spray then its easier to get home i have had numerous including a long one the last time as they found barrets oesophagus so had to take good few samples for biopsy, but still found it fine can be bit queezy when they turn the camera mind. 😁

[basten]

Hi I've had them done. Ask for sedation if possible. I don't usually have sedation. It makes me gag, eyes water but breath just breath and try to relax. They're not pleasant but don't take long. Sedation if offered helps a lot. Good luck

[LeopardGizmo]

Thank you all. They’re offering sedation so I’ll ask for it. Just one other question — what’s it like after? I’m a singer. I’ve read that the camera goes through your vocal folds. Does it hurt afterward? Will I be able to sing next week?

[ButterflyEffect96 in reply to LeopardGizmo]

You should be fine afterwards. I have huge tonsils and was going through a 40 degrees temperature (with symptoms of sepsis) whilst I had it done and my throat was fine after. Very simple straightforward procedure. Just stick to warm fluids and soft foods.

[KayHimm]

If you have the option of getting an anesthesiologist to administer conscious sedation, do it! I have had it many times and it was one of the easiest tests I have had. No, I have never had any discomfort afterwards at all. Good luck.

[Lupiknits]

I've had two. Please take the second experience as the normal one, because the first scenario is unusual.

For the first I asked for sedation, which I swear they didn't give me. Again, for the first, they needed to take biopsies. I don't know who was practising on me, and they said I wouldn't feel the snipping, but I did. It took about 18 tries to get the bits they needed ( bear in mind I had ulcers along my oesophagus). Apart from the shock of it all, after hearing so many people had slept through the whole thing, I was fine.

Please read carefully about the second because this was the more usual experience. I opted for the spray, it all went very smoothly and took about three minutes.

It isn't pleasant, but far far more people have an experience like my second one. I would have another. Wouldn't look forward to it, but would.

[Jelly]

I've had one. I chose to have the throat spray because I didn't want to hang around in recovery after any other sort of aesthetic. It was 5 minutes for the procedure and the Dr and nurses were wonderful but it was not easy or comfortable. It all depends how good you are with such things. Waiting the appointed time to be able to eat and drink afterwards seemed to last ages. If suggest having a distraction of some sort organised and definitely don't go alone. Whilst the experience wasn't pleasant I'd happily go with throat spray again. As long as you concentrate on your breathing and follow the guidance of the staff it's bearable. If in doubt is go for a general anaesthetic to save yourself the stress. Hope that helps

[LeopardGizmo in reply to Jelly]

Thank you, MrsMouseSJ. I just had it done, and although my stomach is a little tender, all is well. I opted for both sedation & throat spray and it was fine. Took a long time for the sedation to wear off. Everyone was kind & helpful. Not nearly as awful as I thought it would be.

[MrsMouseSJ]

Hello. I had one done earlier this week, the fourth I have had. In terms of prep make sure you follow all non eating and drinking instructions rigorously. For the procedure itself you should be offered throat spray or/and sedation. You can only have sedation if you have someone to collect you and then stay at home with you for the next 24 hours. I have tried all combinations and find that throat spray plus sedation works the best for me, by far. The throat spray itself can seem quite odd, even alarming, if you are having it for the first time. Because the back of the mouth and throat is numbed you have no sensation that you are indeed breathing in or able to swallow properly. But don't panic - you are! The spray's effect, as others have said, is to stop you gagging. If you just have sedation, you will still gag. I tried this once - and quickly realised my error; too late! If you are pretty used to the family of drugs into which midazolam (the sedative I've always been given) falls - for example if you have to use diazepam on a fairly regular basis - let the staff know. They should hopefully give you a higher dose. I need a full 5mg whack of midazolam, rather than the 2mg they would normally give. Once I've had the IV 5mg I'm out of it in less than 15 seconds - and all I know is 'coming around' very groggy with no recollection of the procedure; which suits me just fine! On three occasions my throat has been sore for 24 hours afterwards but this past scope I was pain free.

Good luck! And don't worry - it shouldn't last long.

[LeopardGizmo]

Thank you all! Because of everyone’s help, I felt prepared. Eezy peezy.

[Whsrocknroll]

Is this the same as an Upper Endoscopy? if so, I have one every 3 years due to GERD issues. They put me to sleep and I wake up feeling refreshed and just fine. No preparation other than to refrain from eating until after the procedure. No worries.