Endoscopy

[Golfer217]

Hi

Been suffering with acid reflux for a few years now and have been asking for an endoscopy because I want to know exactly what’s wrong with me as I keep worrying and imagining a worst case scenario but as I don’t have any of the so called red flag symptoms my doctor won’t send me for one and I can’t afford to go private. The other day my doctor was on holiday so I saw one of the other doctors at the practice and this time when I explained my fears she agreed to sent me for one. My Endoscopy will take place next week so my question to all of you who have had one is do I take the sedation or not?

[TishH]

I’ve had many gastroscopies, and I recommend that you do have sedation. As the Doctor tells you to swallow the scope they’ll administer the sedative, and you’ll be out like a light. When you wake up you’ll feel groggy, but it’ll all be over. In my hospital they give you the results (with photos) before you leave. The biopsy results come later. I hope it all goes well for you, and your GP is a bit more sympathetic.

[Angela124m]

Have the sedation. I do to eliminate any anxiety. I think it also stops any pain. I wouldn't recommend not having it. I've had two endoscopys.

[Gavis]

Hi, over here in Australia sedation is routine, you have to fast from food for 12 hours and fluid for 6, they put a cannula in wheel you through, give you a light but enough to send you to sleep sedation.

You wake up remembering nothing and it’s all done, no grogginess, they wake you up give you a cup of tea and a sandwich, you usually see the Specialist for the verbal result and then you're on your way. I had another one just before Christmas, I had a bit of a sore throat for the day which I haven’t had before but other than that all good.

I wouldn’t ever consider having no sedation, I had the manometry/ pH testing done and you have to be awake all through it, it was one of the worst experiences I ever had.

Hope all goes well good luck!

[Dorset22]

Have the sedation. I didn’t know anything about it until I woke up later. Was very anxious but I was treated very well. I was found to have H Pylori which I had never heard of but I am fine after treatment with strong antibiotics. I’m sure my GP only sent me for one because he had exhausted all the PPIs etc. and I wouldn’t go away. Good luck.

[Washington1]

Hi. I had an endoscopy recently. When I explained that I'd been having heart palpitations and other symptoms, they advised me to not have the sedative. I was very nervous, but it was a very simple procedure. They spray the back of your throat to numb it, so it's important to adhere to their guidelines of not eating and drinking for hours before. The initial moment of the mouthguard going on was weird, but you quickly realise that you can breathe normally. I had some brief discomfort when air was put in my stomach, but that was it. No pain. Compared to other things I've had to have done, I'd call it a walk in the park. I left confused as to why they offer sedatives.

In the hospital I went to, I could decide on the day, so you can chat to them and see what they advise for your personal circumstances.

My niece has had more than one endoscopy. Some with, some without sedative. She had one without any throat spray too and found them all OK. My sister has had a couple done with the sedative and they found nothing wrong.

From my experience, I'd say decide on the day. Make sure you have someone to drive you home and stay with you in case you do have the sedative. It's not a long procedure. I'd lost a lot of weight due to not being able to eat much, the tightness in my stomach was so bad it had felt like an elephant was standing on my stomach and then there's the daily acid reflux. They found some gastritis. As I've not gotten on well with ppi's, I'm taking very good probiotics and on a gastritis friendly diet and drinking ginger, fennel and chamomile teas. My symptoms are improving bit by bit.

I hope some of this helps you. It'll all be over before you know it and they'll be offering you a cuppa and a biscuit.

[ReallyWondering]

I’ve had several, one just last month. Always get sedated. Not only is it more comfortable for you, but it makes it easier for the physician to do their job. In the US it’s a twilight sleep, you wake up feeling great.

[Opelcorsa]

Take everything they offer you. I do

[Boomer1954]

I suffered from it too long. Got in and had a endoscopy within a week. All is okay. Was worried sick literally. Every possible worse case senario ran through my mind. Why the wait?

[Boomer1954]

for the love of all that's holy, take it. It's a twilight sedation and it's awesome🙌🏼

[Golfer217 in reply to Boomer1954]

Thanks I think you have convinced me to go with the sedation.

[Deb2314]

You don't need sedation, just creates more risks. They spray your throat and you don't feel a thing.

[Golfer217 in reply to Deb2314]

Thanks. Yes I had endoscopy on Tuesday. All ok thankfully. Big weight off my mind. No sedation just the throat spray. Procedure a bit unpleasant but nowhere as bad as I thought it would be.

[uptight23]

Hi I had two Endoscopys last year had sedation both times and I wasn't aware of anything next thing i was back in the recovery room i would advise you to have sedation good luck you will be fine

[Aimeecait]

In Bristol we have a service where the tube goes up the nasal passage....much easier. Unless having that use sedative. I lost a sister to O. C. 5years after an endoscopy elsewhere with no sedative....she had terrible time and though they said they couldn't see anything wrong at all basically they had to get out again very quick.....