Upper endoscopy: So my doctor wants to do an... - IBS Network

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Upper endoscopy

rgarza3895 profile image
11 Replies

So my doctor wants to do an upper endoscopy on me. What is this procedure like? Preparation? Recovery? Length?

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rgarza3895
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11 Replies

I’ve had one very recently and it was no problem whatsoever. You will be out of it so that’s great. I didn’t have a sore throat or anything. It went just fine you’ll breeze through it. Procedure is like 15 minutes. You have to add all the additional time before and after and that’ll depend on where you’re having it done! No prep other than no food/drink (midnight is what they say here usually.

You’ll do fine!

I had one super easy no problem 0 recover time

b1b1b1 profile image
b1b1b1

I had one without anesthesia. There was no pain or discomfort at any time. I could watch it on the monitor, They numb your throat with a flavored (banana) spray so there is no feeling of gagging. I actually enjoyed it.

Imaaan profile image
Imaaan

I requested that they reduce the sedative prior to the procedure. He numbed the throat with a spray and it was a quick in and out while awake. No down time. Wish you all the best on yours.

Jak62 profile image
Jak62

Had one yesterday. No drama whatsoever. Today I have a very slight sore throat but it’s nothing at all really. You’ll be absolutely fine.

It’s totally fine. The worst bit is the spray they use. Takes about a minute or two

Beezwax profile image
Beezwax

I have needed a couple of upper GI endoscopies in the past. I have had them both with and without sedation. I much prefer them with sedation than without. It depends on the usual practice of the hospital, but you could always request sedation - in which case you would be kept afterwards for a short recovery time (they give you tea and biscuit/ sandwich and monitor your blood pressure etc) and you would need someone with you to take you home. It doesn’t take too long but you would leave quicker without the sedation.Hope it goes well.

I had one a couple of weeks ago with sedation, no problem whatsoever .

Endoscopy68 profile image
Endoscopy68

Had one very recently. Not a nice experience - the gagging . I elected not to have a sedative so this may have made it worse. Thankfully whole procedure was only a few minutes. If you can follow the advice to keep breathing calmly this definitely helps.

FeistyGirl profile image
FeistyGirl

I always request sedation and throat spray that way you get the benefit of sedation and you’re pretty much out of it too. My friend had one without sedation and was quite traumatised afterwards.

iloveglee profile image
iloveglee

I would agree with having sedation for this. I have had one with full sedation, and one with only partial (due to difficulty accessing a vein). The one with was great, although you are co-operating with the procedure at the time, you have no awareness of any of it afterwards. Even partial sedation was not so pleasant. Yes with sedation you have to hang around for a while, and can't drive home, but it's so worth it. I suspect different hospitals use different drugs, the throat numbing stuff gave me definitely didn't take of banana. It was a number of years ago though, maybe they've developed something a little more palatable now!!

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