Along my hypothyroid journey I have developed some gut and swallowing (silent re flux) problems. I have been recommended to have a colonoscopy and endoscopy with sedation. Having both procedure done at the same time... was also told I should not feel or remember anything. Having it done privately, if this make a difference, by a very experienced doctor.
While I know this is subject to personal physiology and experience etc, I would be grateful for some feedback from those if you that have had it done. Feeling nervous but it would very stupid not to do it as it can be reassuring at one end of the pathology scale and life saving at the other.
Thank you in advance for any helpful comments.
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pgdw
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I wouldn’t worry, pgdw. I’ve had both done together under heavier sedation and didn’t feel a thing. I’ve also had 2 colonoscopies under very light sedation which was ok too, only a little uncomfortable to be honest but with a much quicker recovery time and less tiredness afterwards. I always feel a bit bloated too for a few days so had my last one done on a Friday so I could take it easy over the weekend. Ps. Think for the endoscopy part I’d personally want to be a bit more sedated
I have had both, but separately. I elected for no sedation with the endoscopy, just numbing spray to the throat as I didn't want to organise someone to drive me etc, and was perfectly fine after the initial swallow/gag. The colonoscopy was fine too, except I'd intended to watch it all on the screen but disappointingly floated off ..... The worst part for me was the preparation beforehand - over familiarity with the toilet, sore extremities, and a little seepage lol. I doubt the Dr being private makes any difference, apart from to your bank account, and the quality of the waiting room chairs 😉 My local NHS hospital team were faultless, and with any intervention, the clinician's experience, and throughput, is what counts.
Thank you for your advice, it very helpful. Very grateful!
And I do agree about the NHS v private bit but my GP would not refer me, so I gave up fighting and went private. Not enjoying the bank account effect but at least I will not end up paying more dearly (with my health) because of someone else's ignorance. As my husband put it: "A funeral is much more expensive!" Had already suffered enough (and my poor family too) over the past few years by going insane, being pumped up with antidepressants and steroid creams etc while my high TSH was duly ignored since 2010.
Hi there i too have swallowing probs due to my thyroid, ive had both procedures done without sedation and its fine, abit of gagging reflex with endoscopy but you can control this to how to cope...interesting to see what our insides look like!!, also had a barium swallow too this may come along later if there finding are not showing anything, ive got to see ENT now, my endo says we can develope dysphagia (swallowing and choking)through thyroid disease. I wish you luck....don't worry both procedures are nothong!!
Hi pgdw. I've had to have a colonoscopy annually for the past 5 years but never an endoscopy so unable to help on that part - but you'll be fine I'm sure. I have gas and air (Entonox) during mine as I have to drive myself 45 miles home after. The prep for the colonoscopy is probably the worst (but tolerable) part. Re: the sore extremities MasieGray mentions, liberal use of vaseline before and after helps a lot I found :).
I try hard think everything we have to go through is an interesting new experience that will somehow benefit us or others in life So would say go for it, get it done, we are so fortunate these tests are available. Stay strong and best wishes. j
As I can't even swallow a vitamin capsule I worried what it would be like. But it was very easy, no problems at all, hardly aware of anything between light sedation and back in recovery after
It was extremely helpful as confirmed extremely gluten intolerant, despite negative coeliac tests and absolutely no gut symptoms
Now prescribed T3 in addition to Levothyroxine on NHS
My consultant said he will take biopsies too in order to determine the background cause to my stomach problem (I am very reactive to what I eat with lots of running to the toilet shortly after eating, but no bloating or any stomach discomfort) Opposite to constipation which many hypo patients report... I also tested negative for coeliac disease. He did say that coeliac disease always goes together with inevitable weight loss (not me) due the inability to absorb nutrients. But did suggest it could be carbohydrates intolerance or bile acid malabsorption which tend to case sense of urgency after you eat and then watery toilet experience etc... Lets see how I get on...
Very high percentage of Hashimoto's patients find gluten is huge (but often hidden) problem.
I had no weight loss, the reverse. Loads of mucin on arms and legs (still slowly diminishing 2 years on)
Gastroenterologist was astonished at how like coeliac my results were. So I had DNA coeliac test on NHS after as well. DNA result suggests unlikely coeliac.
So very much better on strictly gluten free diet.
Definitely it was very helpful to get official medical recognition by having endoscopy.
Cheaper to pay for endoscopy and then get T3 on NHS!
I private GP suggested cutting back on gluten and I must say I felt much better when I did it. My stomach seemed to settle and I had an antibody test done (abroad) 3 months later and the antibodies were down by almost half. Then in order to test for coeliac intolerance my GP asked me to get back on it again for 6 weeks which is when when the test came back negative. As I carried on eating it my stomach started to go downhill again. Which is why I was referred to a gastro consultant. I must say I saw top brass endo and gastro consultants who commented that unless you are coeliac, gluten is a myth. And if such diet (helping hypothyroidism) existed they would be the first to tell me! The gastro doc said not to take any dietary advice from GPs as they knew nothing about it and one should seek to see a specialist nutritionist (who know what they are talking about) in order to explore possible food intolerance... It is just so confusing, like quicksands, depending on who you talk to. This topic is such a crazy minefield. What are us sufferers suppose to do? Plus the crazy primary care guidelines. I need to find again (so I can share here) the British Medical Journal article and the responses from specialists re the new (at the time) primary care guidelines on hypothyroidism, branding them irresponsible, causing patients an unnecessary suffering and further health complications etc. There were strong responses from all Thyroid charities etc.
I believe being private can help, as my private consultant assured me I would know absolutely nothing about it (colonoscopy) as he used his own anaesthetist. Perfectly true and I was happily eating sandwiches an hour or so later and had no ill effects at all. I had managed to get myself in a terrible twiddle about the whole thing all for nothing.
Vaseline tip is very useful and also the way I got the foul liquid down, all two litres of it (Moviprep) was to take a gulp of the liquid followed by a gulp of water and so on and on and on. My body absolutely refused to take the last glassful and it did not matter at all.
I had an endoscopy without sedation. Just had the anaesthetic throat spray. The anticipation of it was far worse than the actual procedure. I felt nothing when the tube went down, just a bit of bloating with the gas they put in to see everything. You’ll be fine, just focus on your breathing while it’s happening. My procedure lasted a couple of minutes. I guess it might take a little longer if they spot anything they want to take a closer look at. Good luck!
I've had a couple of endoscopies - just the throat spray. I was awake and just kept my eyes on the nurse and concentrated on my breathing. That helps with the gag reflex. I have to say it was OK. It's a tad uncomfortable but certainly doesn't hurt. I had to have a few biopsies for coeliac disease, which I have in addition to hashimotos. I'm 100% gluten free and it has made all the difference. Well it did until the T3 was stopped! That's my new battle. Good luck. My husband has had many colonoscopies, without any sedation. The prep is a bit inconvenient - lots of visits to the loo to empty the bowel. But once you're over that, he says it's no problem at all. Don't be anxious. You'll be in good hands.xx
As long as you are having sedation it should be OK. The NHS here won't allow sedation unless you have someone to collect you in a car and stay with you for 24 hours. So I was stupid enough to agree to colonoscopy with just gas and air - it felt having a broom handle stuck up your **** which is pretty much what it is, and it hurt so much they had to stop the procedure. So go for the sedation! I also couldn't digest anything properly for about a week after the prep, so invest in plenty of probiotics and digestive enzymes. I found lightly stewed apple without sugar useful, too,
I had my 2nd endoscopy done this Monday no sedation bit uncomfortable but was ok ..done by my own GI consultant so was a bit a relief for me bcs she took her time to look for everything my throat was sore for two days but today it's better on left side (my right side I have thyroid nodule on it)
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So would say go for it, get it done, we are so fortunate these tests are available. Stay strong and best wishes. j 
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