Advice on endoscopy

[SigNi]

HI all - finally scheduled for an endoscopy the end of February. I have low levels of almost all micronutrients. Especially B12. Does anyone have any advice on this procedure? Thanks much as always.

[2FloorLuka]

Hi. I don't know how it works in Germany, but in my country we usually have an endoscopy under deep sedation, so its recommended to bring someone to guide you after the procedure. You have to fast for 12 hours, so i advise you to have it first thing in the morning (hate to feel hungry lol). 5 minutes after the end of the test i am back to myself, but my brother and my Mother sleep all day long and have no memory of how they got home, lol. The endoscopy itself doesn't hurt at all, don't worry. You will be fine. ((Hugs))

[SigNi in reply to 2FloorLuka]

Thank you! 💗

[Nackapan]

My mum had no sedation and walked out as though leaving a shop.She said it was unpleasant but quick swallowing hard.

My daughter had sedation remembers bring told to swallow that all.

Had to be in recovery for a short duration and was a bit spaced afterwards.

Bit if s sore throat was reported by both mostly dry.

So you will need collecting I'd sedation chosen.

[SigNi in reply to Nackapan]

Thank you. This helps. I had a bad experience with an ENT who tried to pass a scope down my throat - unsuccessfully. I will go with sedation.

[SigNi]

Thank you. This helps. I had a bad experience with an ENT who tried to pass a scope down my throat - unsuccessfully. I will go with sedation.

[Hidden in reply to SigNi]

Dont worry about it, with sedation it's done and over with in no time. I can even remember looking at the screen ...... a nap afterwards.. hot drink and biscuits and away you go. !

[SigNi in reply to Hidden]

Yay!!! Thank you. 😊

[nellie237 in reply to SigNi]

Good idea. I've had scopes with and without sedation. I wouldn't recommend without. With.....was a breeze.

[SigNi in reply to nellie237]

So good to know. Thank you!

[wedgewood]

Yes I had one , but without sedation because I needed to drive home straight away after the endoscopy. But even without sedation , you are given a spray down your throat of something that numbs it . It wasn’t lovely , but just about bearable .A Gastroenterologist can diagnose a lot from an endoscopy. Very useful tool . Best of luck with it 👍

[SigNi in reply to wedgewood]

Thank you. 💗

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

Don't know if you can access these all these UK links in Germany but there might be some useful info in them about endoscopies.

nhs.uk/conditions/endoscopy/

nhs.uk/conditions/gastroscopy/

patient.info/digestive-heal...

[SigNi in reply to Sleepybunny]

Thank you!!!

[SigNi]

Thank you!!!

[SunnyWorld]

Hi. I have had with sedation which wasn't great. I woke up and grabbed at the doctor as it was going down my throat. I had without sedation next time it was fine. Just breathe deeply and think of something nice to concentrate on. It's over in 5 minutes. Hope it goes well

[SigNi in reply to SunnyWorld]

Yikes! I think I will go with sedation - had trouble when and ENT tried to scope me a few months back. Good to know it's possible to wake up though. I'll try to keep my head - LOL. If I don't I won't feel bad now. : )

[Soulquest]

Hi SigNi,I’m having my endoscopy early Feb. I’ve had them before and they were ok. Im having a colonoscopy at the same time, which is unpleasant to prepare for. Looking forward to answers and to hearing about your experience.

Cheers!

SQ

[SigNi in reply to Soulquest]

I was hoping to do both at the same time as well, but the time slot may be too short. I did have a colonoscopy about 7 years back. Drinking the fluid to clear my system was unpleasant but I just chugged it down and got it over with. Everything was OK after that really. A kind nurse got me dressed for it in a dim-lighted room, I was sedated for the exam and woke up in a recovery bay. Easy Peasey. This time COVID has caused a time shortage for the doctor I want to see. If I do both I'll have to wait until July! He's the head gastro doc at a good hospital - so I'll take what I can get and feel the endo is the priority at the moment - I have a lot of pain, reflux, and nutrient deficiencies. We can compare notes-LOL! I wouldn't wish it on anyone - but it's lovely to not be alone. : )

[Pasjc]

Hi I've had many endoscopies over the past 10 years due to endocrine tumours. You will be offered sedation if you want it I always opt for it. It's very quick and painless. They spray the back of your mouth, not nice but the tastes lasts a very short time. I think most people have it without sedation be advised by the nurse. You will be fine 🙂 xx

[SigNi in reply to Pasjc]

Thank you! - knowing what to expect really helps. I'm pretty sure I will ask for sedation.

[zxcvbnp]

I had one without sedation … it’s not too bad as long as you swallow when they tell you !!!

[SigNi in reply to zxcvbnp]

Thank you - I think I will actually ask for sedation - had a bad experience with an ENT who tried (and failed) to scope my esophogus a few months back. But good to know I can survive if sedation isn't an option. : )

[Ninagreen]

Just be sure to tell them no Nitrous Oxide. "Neurologic symptoms associated with nitrous oxide use have been attributed to vitamin B12 deficiency. Through oxidation, nitrous oxide inactivates vitamin B12. In its inactive form, vitamin B12 is unable to function as a co-factor for methionine synthase and methylmalonyl coA mutase." ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....

[SigNi in reply to Ninagreen]

Good reminder. Thank you very much. : )

[Pasjc in reply to Ninagreen]

Oh my word never heard of it I've lost count of the number of endoscopy I've had

[Sleepybunny in reply to Ninagreen]

Links about B12 deficiency and nitrous oxide

Nitrous Oxide - UK info

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/n...

NICE guidelines Nitrous Oxide ( see side effects section) UK document

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/nitrou...

Functional B12 deficiency due to nitrous oxide

shmabstracts.org/abstract/f...

[SigNi]

Good reminder. Thank you very much. : )

[Hidden]

I would certainly go with sedation., mind you I had both endoscopy and colonoscopy at the same time, but they say the endoscopy is the part you most need sedation for.

[SigNi in reply to Hidden]

Will do. Thank you.

[coat2003]

do it.NOT PLEASANT, BUT LIFE IMPORTANT, POINTS TO WHAT'S WRONG AND HOW TO DEAL WITH IT. you can do it.

[SigNi in reply to coat2003]

Thank you for the encouragement. 😊