Endoscopy Advice

[People-huv-tae-know]

Has anyone here had an upper endoscopy? I'm looking for advice.

I'm due an emergency endoscopy next week. I've not had a letter and the phone call I recieved was brief, the lady said I'd be offered throat spray or sedation but she gave no further information.

I've done some reading online about the procedure but I'm still not sure which to pick, throat spray or sedation. I'm quite prone to nausea especially when anything gets stuck (such as a capsule) in my throat so that might have a bearing on which option to choose.

I'm also feeling quite anxious and do suffer from the occasional panic attack. I'm worried that if I'm sedated and feel something weird or pain, I'll be too out of it to inform the staff. I'm equally concerned the throat spray won't be enough to stop any nausea or pain.
Any advice or experiences shared would be much appreciated.

 

[Beth1980]

I had one years ago and opted for sedation as I was worried I would not cope with just the throat spray have would then have to rebook.
I really don't like needles but I wanted to know what was causing my issues, I will say I remember the nurse saying something like breathe/swallow as I think I was begining to gag as the tube went down, to be honest it does not take much for me to gag.
I can't remember feeling nauseous and with the sedation I was aware but unaware of things (if that makes sense), there was no pain then just a really bad sore throat for a few days afterwards which I used throat spray and all the other usual things.

 

[Be More Pacific]

Sedation, sedation, sedation all the way!

 

[MaineCoonMama]

No advice, just wanted to wish you all the best my friend.

 

[People-huv-tae-know]

Thank you everyone. Is the tube really big? I gag easily on capsules so can imagine that could be an issue for me. I've actually got a really sore throat right now, I hope it heals before the procedure.

 

[FeelingPrawny]

Definitely go sedation. I had an awful consultant who declared to the nursing team when I was having it done, that I was just being dramatic and ridiculous when I cried and gagged through it.

 

[kazizzle]

Hi! I had one 13 years ago now and barely remember it so sedation all the way. You are kind of aware of what goes on but also not aware at the same time. I do remember having a bit of gagging but the nurse was really lovely and rubbed my back and talked me through it. I don’t remember being in any pain at all but will be honest and say it is an uncomfortable experience sedation or not. But with the sedation at least you are kind of out of it and I really barely remember anything from the actual procedure itself.

I don’t know what age you are but I couldn’t stop crying after the procedure and the nurses said it was a hormonal reaction to the sedative because I was in no pain or discomfort. I was 20. I cried myself to sleep

 

[Lottiehx]

I've had two (successfully) , the first attempt they didn't give me enough sedation and it was horrendous. I was gagging and attempting to pull it out. For the successful ones it is still uncomfortable and you do still gag but it's no where near as bad so DEFINITELY get the sedation!!!!

 

[Catalyst]

I have to have one every few years - I only use numbing spray because I was told you need to stay for a while afterwards if anaesthetic is used, so they can check on you (someone else might be able to confirm).

One thing to note is they go through the nose now - years ago it was through the throat and more manageable in my opinion.

Tube is fairly thin, there's usually 2-3 medical staff in the room - when I go one is tasked with stroking your hair, reassuring you and wiping up excess nose lube. You can talk throughout the procedure and see the screen, some hospitals give you internal photos to take home...

They're not fun but not the worst procedure, good luck!

 

[Sabbie]

I had the throat spray about twenty years ago, and the way you describe yourself, I would go for sedation. I gagged quite a bit, made some horrendous belching and brought up bile which the lovely nurse wiped up as it happened. The doctor performing the procedure also seemed a bit annoyed that I didn’t go for sedation, as it clearly takes them longer when someone is gagging, etc. I was made to wait until last on the list and labeled LIVE as I walked in. Haha. This was all normal, but you sound like it would be awful for you if you stayed awake. You also cannot eat or drink quite a while after the throat spray (I think it was several hours), whereas all the other patients that were sedated were sitting uo having tea and biscuits while I sat in the cubicle a little bit traumatised. Yes, I would totally go sedation myself if I had to do it again.