Endoscopy

[Basel-m]

My endoscopy appointment is on the 12th of August.

They told me I decide on the type of sedation on the day.

Can you share your experience please and advice on sedation type?

Thank you in advance

[Nesting]

I’ve had two done in the past few years . Was given a mouth spray to relax the mussels in my throat .The whole thing wasn’t bad and doesn’t take long and got results before leaving hospital . Hope all goes well for you . Simon

[Basel-m in reply to Nesting]

Thank you for this Simon. Hope your results were ok.

[Kharys]

I have had very many endoscopy procedures over many years. For me without sedation only a numbing spray to the back of the throat (banana /chemical taste makes you gag a little) was not good choice as I gave a large hiatus hernia that has to be negotiated past and personally much too uncomfortable.

Sedation is administered via a cannula into vein in your wrist or hand to elbow fold. This means any top up during procedure can be given easily. The actual drug used I think varies area to area. If you are concerned at all and want to know. Call secretary and enquire prior to day.

Having sedation really means that you have little memory of the procedure and 'come around quite quickly following procedure. I am slow to come round and require a high dose of sedation but everyone is different. Your heart rate and oxygen levels will be monitored throughout.

Please don't worry as normally very safe routine investigation. Hope they get good information for you going forward

[Basel-m in reply to Kharys]

Thank you so much for this. Really helpful. Hope you’re ok

[Mikey2711 in reply to Kharys]

I have a dozen or so endoscopes and stretches. Make sure you ask for sedation, i have had them done without and whilst not painful its rather unpleasant. So why go the hard route?

Sedation is administered, i then drift away, when i wake up its all done. A bit drowsy for a few hours afterwards, don't drive for 24 hrs, just to be safe...all done, no probs

[Basel-m in reply to Mikey2711]

Thank you for the advice. Definitely going for sedation.

[Mayan]

Hi Over the years before and since my op for oesphagal cancer10 years ago l have had a fair few Endoscopies,and only the first one did I have a throttle spray, since then I have always been sedated .You not put right out it is like a twilight zone you are in and you come round very quickly Obviously your choice,but I would never have another without sedation Hope it goes ok for you

[Basel-m in reply to Mayan]

Thank you so much Mayan,

Probably I’m going for sedation.

Hope you’re fine and coping well.

Basel

[adela1]

I just had a throat spray no sedation and it was a lot easier than I’d expected. I think I wanted to be aware of the outcome and the doctor and others were very reassuring. I just didn’t like being put under however mildly. Was able to eat and drink and drive myself home. But everyone is different. Hope yours goes well.

[Basel-m in reply to adela1]

Thank you so much for your reply, very helpful. Hope you’re well too

[Tanktank]

Kharys’ detailed reply is spot on. If you are going to have someone with you then I would have the sedation. Negates the chances of a gagging reaction stopping the procedure. Good luck. Tanktank

[Basel-m in reply to Tanktank]

Thank you, extremely helpful to make up my mind.

[champagnelover]

If someone is going with you I would definitely have sedation. As others say you are not out completely and recovery is quick though you need someone to drive you home.

[John0118]

My biggest mistake during my year long battle with Oesophagus Cancer was just having the throat spray. I wanted to see a band that night and was advised not to be sedated. After the throat spray, they found my Tumour and started cutting bits off it without any anaesthetic. Yikes. Pretty barbaric. I’ve had 5 since. All with sedation and it’s much much better. You do have to take someone with you to drive you home. You will be well looked after but definitely get sedated x

[Basel-m in reply to John0118]

Thank you so much John, very helpful indeed.

And do sorry to hear about you Oesophagus C.

That must have been a horrible experience for you, I’m so sorry.

Hope you’re improving.

Basel

[John0118 in reply to Basel-m]

Thank you. All part of life my friend. After 2 months chemo and an 11 hour/20 man operation ... I’m all clear. Thanks to the wonderful NHS. Good luck.

[Basel-m in reply to John0118]

Oh i am really pleased to hear you are clear, I hope you remain clear forever. All the best.

[Bunny69]

Hi,

I had just throat spray for my first endoscopy but I had adenocarcinoma at lower junction but it was seen as a hiatus hernia. The procedure was poorly tolerated. I went for a second 8 weeks later and had sedation, the procedure again was poorly tolerated and biopsies were taken (7) the report said sliding hiatus hernia had gone from 4 cms to 5 cms and I had Barretts oesophagus c2 m3 . Biopsies confirmed barretts with no dysplasia but symptoms,by now we're terrible and I couldn't eat. A final endoscopy five months later revealed tight structure at lower junction and scope could not pass into stomach. I know my case isn't the norm. But anyone going for endoscopy please if symptoms of dysplasia to first meat then bread moving to all solid food within weeks and hiccups or feeling food sticking at sternum level and regurgitating food wrapped in saliva please do not allow things to carry on. I was told I had achalasia but a second consultant told me you cannot have achalasia and a hiatus hernia. The biopsies taken in my case were not taken from lower junction so cancer that was there was not found as hospital said it wasn't visible so wasn't biopsies. The biopsies were taken at 37 and 38cms. The adenocarcinoma was at 40cms. At your assessment prior to procedure ensure what you are reporting as symptoms are recorded correctly. I told the nurse prior to procedure of food sticking and difficulty swallowing but the note said only dyspepsia .

I am not saying this to worry you and wish you well with procedure but you know yourself better than anyone, if you know something is wrong please alert your GP. The incidence of achalasia is approx 1 in 100,000 adenocarcinoma is around 15 in 100,000. Rapid onset dysplasia is a red flag symptom and weight loss too. Best Wishes

Bunny

[Basel-m in reply to Bunny69]

Thank you so much for this, really helpful. Can i just ask, what symptoms did you have at the very first before food stucking and difficulty swallowing?

Hope you are better now.

[Bunny69 in reply to Bunny69]

Hi,

Symptoms prior to food beginning to stick was acid reflux at night only if lying on right but lying on left stopped this. Never taken even a Rennie prior to food sticking as never needed to. The first problem was a piece of chicken stuck which then had to come back up. A week later a cheese and tomato sandwich stuck with same result. Went to gp straight after second incident but because tumour not seen on endoscopy was another 8 months before diagnosed and third endoscopy. I think I struggled with procedure due to what was there more than procedure itself. The first one I described to friends and family at the time as 15 minutes of ufc . As I said this experience cannot be the norm and I know lots of people that have them with no issue. Message being if endoscopy shows no reason for dysphagia and symptoms persist or get worse do not suffer in silence as any delays could limit treatment options and harm chances of positive outcome.

Bunny

[Basel-m in reply to Bunny69]

Thank you for this Bunny,

My issue is with reflux, no food issues at all. It’s just the reflux that annoys me and I don’t want it to get worse.

I’m taking some ppi tablets, it’s helping a little bit I still get reflux.

Obviously I’m concerned. Will see what they say on Monday.

Do they give you results straightaway?

How long you had reflux for before other symptoms appeared?

Thank you again for responding

Basel

[Bunny69 in reply to Basel-m]

With second endoscopy biopsy results took three weeks to come back. I had mild reflux since teens but only very mild. Reflux can lead to Barretts but even with that cancer is not that common. Doing nothing is worst you can do but it sounds like you are already doing what you can to sort it.

My reflux was managed by sleeping on left. Would never have thought mine was particularly bad but knowing what I know now may have changed things. My cancer has spread to liver, whilst in hospital they thought it was in left lung which it wasn't but delay in diagnosis of 8 months then further delay of 8 weeks in hospital waiting for a treatment plan has probably prevented cure but had Ivor Lewis last June and feel a thousand times better than this time last year and am eating as well as I have for two years.

Don't be afraid to ask medical team to explain the findings of endoscopy to you with regards terminology etc. They did medical school but you didn't. If in doubt ask, and maybe write down key points so you can refer back later.

Bunny

[Basel-m in reply to Bunny69]

You’ve been absolutely wonderful Bunny thank you so much.

I actually didn’t know my case was reflux, I suffered from dry mouth and throat for a year since 2016, then finally my GP has referred me to a specialist last year who inserted camera through my nose down to my throat. He then told me it was reflux. Didn’t suggest any PPI.

Anyway, since then I’ve been to my GP a few times, changed PPI a few times, but reflux still there.

So now they decided on endoscopy.

I’m so pleased you’re feeling better, I hope that continues. Fingers crossed for you

Basel

[Bunny69 in reply to Basel-m]

Hope all goes well with you. Keep in touch and we are all here for help and advise..

Best wishes.

Bunny

[Bunny69 in reply to Basel-m]

Hi Basel,

Good luck for today and hope all goes well. Hopefully in near future the cytosponge test will make this procedure less common and improve early diagnosis for many upper gi issues.

Bunny

[Basel-m in reply to Bunny69]

Thank you so much Bunny.

[Angelamercel]

I’ve had lots of endoscopy’s over the years , every two years, I have a pre cancerous condition Barrett’s esophagus , so have no choice, I always go for sedation , it just makes the procedure a lot easier, I first used to have the throat spray but the next day I had the most horrendous sore throat, so I decided to just have sedation and I don’t get the sore throat, but everyone is different, just have to sleep it off afterwards, and you usually can’t remember anything about it which is a bonus, good luck I’m sure you’ll be fine .

[Minidriver]

Hi I've had it done a few times having sedation is much more comfortable I've had with and without so highly recommend having the sedation 😁😁😁😁😲

[Basel-m in reply to Minidriver]

Thank you for this. Sedation then 👍

[jeffw663]

Go for sedation, IMHO it is far the best, OK you spend some time in the recovery ward but I had no pain, no discomfort and no after effects.

Our friend was a nurse in the Endoscopy unit and she said to go for sedation and I'm glad I took her advice.

Good luck

Jeff

[Basel-m in reply to jeffw663]

Thank you for this.

I’m going to go for sedation, seems like everyone recommends it. Thanks s lot

[angie22_]

Hi Basel.

Without a doubt sedation, when u come round it with all be over and done with, I was really nervous and no need to be, hope all goes well for you.

[Basel-m in reply to angie22_]

Thank you Angie, I’m going to go for sedation. Hope all well with you 👍

[mageesnow]

Have had several and always go for sedation.

[Seagull1625]

At my hospital you have to tell them in advance if you want sedation.

[Basel-m in reply to Seagull1625]

Can I ask what city please? I’m in Brighton UK

[Seagull1625]

Me too!!! I am not saying it is deliberate.....but if you just arrive they will assume you are opting for the spray. If I were you, I would make a casual phone call to the endoscopy unit and say that you have decided on sedation, just thought they might like to know...ahem. Don't be surprised if this causes a delay. I ended up with an operation for hiatus hernia and the team were wonderful and I have been able to eat anything since. Keep me informed how you get on. x

[Basel-m in reply to Seagull1625]

Thank you so much for the information.

I’ve received a letter from the hospital today saying that I can decide on the day, let’s hope this is true, because I’ve decided on sedation.

Can I just ask, what symptoms have you had before the endoscopy?

I’m just suffering from reflux, for a couple of years now.

Thank you you again

[Seagull1625]

Heartburn and reflux for years then started to have food "sticking" and having to struggle for a few hours before bringing it back up, undigested. I ended up having pureed food because I found the alternative so upsetting. I had pureed food for 9 months and lost one and half stone. I had some good advice from dietician and added full fat milk and soft cheese to diet which helped minimise the weight loss. I don't want to imply there is a financial reason for doing camera via assembly line/spray, out the door...but I urge you to phone.xx

[Basel-m in reply to Seagull1625]

I’m going to phone them tomorrow.

Will sedation put me to sleep or just keep me drowsy?

Thank you for all the info

[Seagull1625 in reply to Basel-m]

Somewhere between pleasantly woozy and asleep. Nothing to be concerned about, I was thoroughly awake and able to listen to findings after it. They give you a cup of tea to check you are OK to go home. Don't let them rush you into the spray! x

[Basel-m in reply to Seagull1625]

Thank you. I’m definitely going to call them tomorrow.

Are you on any medication at the moment?

I really hope you’re completely recovered

Thank you again