Endoscopy.

[jojojowilts43]

Hi, I've been suffering with pressure in abdomen burning in stomach and chest. Chills, sweats, pain and discomfort for a long time

I'm now going to be having a Endoscopy but I suffer bad at times with anxiety and panic attacks. My options are : throat spray or sedation. I am fearful of both and I really don't know what to do?. If have the spray I hear u can't feel anything and feel like u can't swallow or breathe properly .last thing I want to do is end up panicking, but I am terrible at times.ivw never had sedation ,only been proper put under.. I don't like the thought of feeling weird or spaced out as that too will make me panic. I really need this done though as I bee. Suffering too long and needs to find out if anything is wrong.. any advice or tips on which is best if your a sufferer of panic attacks etc??

[cjrsquared]

The most common sedation used for endoscopy is a short acting benzodiazepine which has amnesic properties. The majority of patients don't remember the procedure and feel sleepy afterwards. Again the majority of patients feel normal after a short sleep post procedure. It is as a precaution that patients are advised not to drive as it can slow down reaction times for up to 4-6 hours in a small number of people.

Of course no one can know how you as an individual would react to sedation. I wish you well.

[Barrister]

Definitely have sedation. I had a gastroscopy with the throat spray and it was horrible, I kept gagging the whole time. I had sedation when I had a colonoscopy and can remember nothing. Some people just feel very relaxed, others sleep. I slept and was absolutely fine. I am also a nurse and have seen endoscopies many times. If you are worried or probe to panic, sedation is the best way to go. Clemmie

[jojojowilts43 in reply to Barrister]

Hi, thank you for reply. Sorry it took me so long. I am edging towards sedation. Still really nervous though about it..

[hunny59]

I had my second endoscopy two weeks ago (my first was 30 years ago where I remember gagging from feeling the tube down my throat). I opted for sedation this time and remember absolutely nothing from when the midazolam hit me until it was all done and I was wheeled out of the room. After that I was fine - I had taken my sister along to drive me home afterwards. No residual sore throat or anything

[shaws Administrator]

Definitely, sedation. There is no problem and you are round before you know it and there's no distress. You just have a small canula fitted but just concentrate on the endoscopy.

It's the easiest option. I don't know how others manage without sedation. Although you do need an escort home.

[Bettyheslop]

Hello, I had an endoscopy and had the throat spray. I totally understand that it's hard for you to choose which option is best for you, I wasn't sure until a short while before I went in which I would choose but in the end I was more scared of the sedation. I don't know why but something about it worried me, I know other people that have had it and they really recommend it and on the morning I was one of six ladies waiting to go in, they all had the sedation.

With the throat spray, I sat on the bed, they did the spray and honestly for a couple of minutes I felt really panicky because I couldn't feel my throat and so I felt like I was suffocating but the nurses were absolutely brilliant, they just reassured me that it was just a sensation and obviously I was breathing fine and I was still talking. There were 4 people in the room basically one of the nurses gave me a big cuddle to help me calm down and keep me still and there was 2 nurses talking to me the whole time, everyone was so reassuring I did calm down quickly, actually swallowing the camera wasn't too bad and the whole thing was over in about 5 minutes.

Afterwards the throat spray wore off quickly and I got to go home 10 mins later. It really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and I sometimes get claustrophobic just going to the dentist if they put too much in my mouth! Honestly if I had to do it again I would choose the throat spray. I can't believe I did it, I just like to know what's happening, and that's what worried me about the sedation, not being aware.

Whichever one you go for I'm sure you will be fine, imagining it really is worse than the reality. Good luck, you can do it xx

[5858]

Get the sedation I also had it no biggie.....good luck stay calm all will be fine!

[autoimmunekate]

I went for throat spray and totally regretted not having the sedation, its uncomfortable as to be expected but I was way more panicky then I expected-But its personal choice ,all the best kate