I have rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, but lately had trouble swallowing even drinks won’t go down sometimes, so I’ve now got an appointment on Monday for a Gastroscopy,
Ive had them before and really can’t stand them, I’m getting more stressed and worried about it
any tips to calm myself please .
Do you have the option for sedation ? I opted not to and apparently I didn’t behave myself 😬 I’d definitely have sedation if I had to do it again.
No I didn’t have it last time, maybe I will do on Monday, see it that is any better , thank you.
I’ve had three endoscopies -two with sedation which is just a small injection of Hypnovel (Midazolam) (so you’re still awake as they need to give you instructions) - but you don’t remember anything of the procedure at all, and one without. I know which two I’d have again! You can’t drive after sedation though so you will need a lift. Totally painless, not stressful at all and a doddle. Fully awake as soon as the sedation wears off - about 20 mins- and no woolly feeling. The only thing I hated was feeling so hungry before the endoscopy! Good luck - and breathe…….
Thank you
I have problems sometimes when food just gets stuck half way down, very unpleasant when it happens. I know what you mean about water because when somethings stuck water won't go down either, Sometimes the food eventually goes down on other occasions it's dash to the loo and up it comes. I've had two ended endoscopy's, first one pretty much okay, the second one was awful (sorry just being honest). On both occasions I wasn't sedated just had the throat numbing spray. If I ever have to have another one I'm going to insist on being sedated,
Thank you for your reply ,Glad someone know how it feels when food get stuck , it’s an awful feeling , I think I’m going to ask for sedation and hope they will do it , still can’t wait for it to be over , X
I've read that some people have phoned 999 before thinking they're having a heart attack. Both endoscopy's showed nothing, I ended up having what's called a manometry test done to rule out a condition called achalasia,, that's when the opening to the stomach (sphincter)at the bottom of the oesophagus doesn't open. Sounds worse than it was, couldn't be sedated, a tube was inserted up my nose, then down into my oesophagus, I was then given small amounts of water, then told when to swallow, same with a biscuit, a machine read how my oesophagus reacted. I was diagnosed with oesophagus spasms, it just goes into spasms and doesn't sort of push the food down properly.
Was given the spray that people have when they have an angina attack, it's suppose to relax the oesophagus, all it did to me was given me the headache from hell straight after I'd sprayed in down my throat. I've just had to learn to live with it.
I had a pharyngeal pouch and used to choke when eating and drinking I had endless bouts of chest infection eventually leading to pneumonia
The pharyngeal pouch was the cause as I was inhaling food and drink into my lungs
Hospitalised and put on a drip and nil by mouth fed via a Nasal gastric tube until infection cleared then had surgery to repair the pharyngeal pouch
This was 2 years ago over Christmas
Now back to normal
Take care
Hi. I've had a few and would def have sedation. It's so great, you don't even remember having it done. The down side is someone needs to collect you. But I cont considering it with out sedation. Best of luck.
Yes, and I thing we go through enough with out that. I think you have done well to have it with out sedation twice. Take care
I had sedation when I had one and I don't remember anything about it even though I was awake all the way through it.
I’ve had two gastroscopies. First time without sedation which was very unpleasant. Last time I opted for sedation, it was so much better! I wouldn’t have one without sedation again.
Sedation sedation sedation, I would let them do it without it. I worried myself sick but I take the cowards way and insist on it. Once that injection went in I didn’t know anything about it till they woke me up, I was totally out of it. I’ve had quite a few and have been fine with them, ok you are in a wee bit longer but that doesn’t bother me.
I’ve had several over the years and would definitely go for the sedation every time. The last time I had one they found a hiatus hernia so got a diagnosis at least. I find them awful as well and had to have some oxygen afterwards because I struggled to breathe when the tube was inserted so ended up with a headache from hell and was a bit blue. Totally understand that they’re not a nice procedure but better to try and find out the cause of the swallowing issue or in my case severe nausea. My advice definitely have the sedation because it’s over quickly and much better with it.
I was stressed when I had to have it but a friend said definitely ask for sedation which I did and it seemed to be over really quickly ! Definitely get sedation. Xxxx
I agree with everyone here who recommends sedation.
I’ve had a few, two without, which I found most unpleasant, and two with, which were fine.
No idea why I braved it out a second time when the first one was so bad, but stupidly I did!
Now I wouldn’t have one without sedation. With sedation it’s painless and over in a flash.
Hope you can now stop worrying and relax, knowing that this time it will be different.
Best wishes
Hi jools - I have had it done once - was absolutely DREADING it - took the sedation - easy peasy - can’t remember a thing 👏😂. The first two seconds were uncomfortable but thereafter I can’t remember it at all. Needed a run home tho (as not allowed to drive), and needed another snooze later in the day - but other than that, no after effects. Hope that helps 😊
Sedation is a good option, you are awake throughout, and although you do feel your throat swell a little it makes a much calmer process. I also get them to pause for a second or two and tell them when I'm ready, that way I take some of the control back. I also keep it in mind that the process does not take that long and that soon I will be back home.
If you are given the chance to have sedation take it. I have had quite a few of these and always take sedation, I never remember a thing. The sedation is short lived so doesn’t effect too much although you can’t drive after it. I hope all goes well.
Thank you all very so much for all your lovely comments, I don’t think they will see me tomorrow now because I woke up feeling rubbish and tested positive for covid, I’ll ring them in the morning , they’ll probably change it to a later date, but when I do go I’ll definitely ask for sedation .
Why should anyone have to ask for sedation? I have read all the above posts and it does seem extraordinary that for what is evidently a very unpleasant procedure the patient might well have to put up with it.
Perhaps there is a reason for choosing "no sedation" but it doesn't seem to be the choice of patients from what I've read. It must have something to do with the medical side of it - that is, better for the doctor!!
Can anyone enlighten me?
Good Luck jools34 if you do go through with it. But sorry to hear about the positive test.
bienassis x
I have had 3 in the past and ALWAYS had sedation with no problems. Its not something you can avoid to get a diagnosis. Sure u will b fine. Take care
Sedation!
Hi jools. The first two I had were in a small hospital and there was no choice as they didn't have the facilities for a recovery room - it was absolutely dreadful both times and sent my BP sky high. The third time I had it in the main hospital under sedation - I didn't know anything about it so would always, in future, go for sedation. Good luck.
Oh sedation all the way, it’s the only way to go for me. I can’t really remember my tube down the throat thingy, apparently it took 10 minutes, but it only seemed like a few seconds I was so out of it.The same for colonoscopy, sedative is a must, but I’m a bit of a wuss! 😂
These procedures aren't pleasant, but are manageable. I have had them without sedation and with.
My preference is with sedation, but if that wasn't possible and the investigation was needed I know I could manage without. What helps? Staying as calm and relaxed as possible beforehand. Knowing that the procedure doesn't take long. It helps to have nurses who will hold your hand and tell you what to do at each stage. Focus on them and their instructions. They have your best interests at heart!
I have had it done twice. Both times under sedation. I can remember being asked to sit up and open my mouth but nothing else. No pain at all. Good luck,
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