Help with Gastroscopy

[exuberant-chinchilla-12354]

I recently had a Gastroscopy whilst on a fast track Cancer pathway to look into the possibility that I may have upper GI Cancer. Cutting a long story short, thankfully I have not got Cancer, so that’s a big relief.

I did not know what a Gastroscopy involved so I checked it out on Google. I read many forum posts with people describing their horrendous experiences with choking, retching and being held down to prevent them struggling with the procedure. I was a little shocked, especially when I struggle to swallow anything larger than an Asprin, so how could I swallow a black plastic 2 feet pipe! Reading the pre-admission paperwork from the hospital it said I could be sedated and would probably not remember much. On the day of the procedure it was clear to me that the hospital’s preferred option was for the throat spray and not sedation. I very politely pushed for the sedation option and I got it. I have never had sedation before and was a little scared about what that involved, even though I have no fear of needles etc. About 30 seconds after the injection, a feeling of utter tiredness came over me and I could not keep my eyes open. From that point onwards, I remember nothing of the procedure other than the mouth guard going in my mouth. The next thing I remember I came round on a trolley in the recovery area. However, for the next 36 hours I felt “odd” with some memory issues and it was a very strange feeling. The sedation drug clearly affected me during this period.

I will, at some stage in the future, need another Gastroscopy so I am seeking any advice on what to do.

On the Doctors Gastroscopy report it showed I had been sedated with 3mg of Midazolam and his comments described my procedure tolerance as “very poor, with constant retching”. As I understand it (from reading medical articles on line) the amount of Midazolam you receive is based on your age and body size. I am late fifties, weigh 80 kg and 1.88 metres tall. I don’t drink alcohol and I am a big Gym goer and swimmer. I was wondering if I could avoid the 36 hour post procedure “odd” feeling if I opted for a lower dose of Midazolam?

Would I still be totally unaware of the procedure with say 2mg? Of course I could go without the sedation and try the hospital’s preferred option of the throat spray, but of course I am really concerned about the Doctor’s comments (above) about my poor procedure tolerance and really concerned that I would feel all the choking, gagging and retching and they would have to hold me down.

David,

[rayw55]

David, my advice is stick with the 3!! the fact that you, like myself, wretch terribly whilst sedated would normally mean that your reflex to having something in your throat is very strong, I had endoscopies for almost 15 years every 3-6 months before being diagnosed as I was in the forces at the time i had barretts. I only did not have sedation once and that ended up being scrapped as my reactions to the tube were so violent - personally i would go for strong sedation every time. best regards Ray

[Beatrice90]

Agree totally with Ray! I had 2mg last time and was slightly aware half way through the procedure. I had it once without sedation and found it really traumatic. Everyone tolerates things differently but my advice is sedation all the way! Good luck. Angi xx

[Hidden]

It sounds like it is a reaction to the sedative, and that you need the possibility of an alternative / adjusted sedative rather than a throat spray. The anaesthetists are the best people to work all this out.

There is a form of work pressure whereby more people can be examined if patients simply have a throat spray and this might also mean that anaesthetists do not have to be on hand as much. This may well work for a number of patients, but reaction to anaesthetics can be a very individual thing and the system should be there to address your own situation. Next time if you warn them in advance there may well be a solution available. I do not think your reaction was particularly unusual for an anaesthetist to be able to work out something for next time.

[exuberant-chinchilla-12354]

Ray, Angi & Alan, Many thanks for your responses, much appreciated. I will check out about the sedation drugs, but if nothing doing, will stick with my 3 mg. Regards, David.