Upper Endoscopy

I rang our local hospital today to see what the NHS waiting time was. I had my last endoscopy there and they gave me a GA and were so nice.
The waiting time for an emergency appointment is 24 weeks. Non-emergency is 46 weeks!
Guess I'll have to stick with private.
I've booked a second consultation to discuss how nervous I am as he seemed in a rush last time and wouldn't discuss it. Easy money, 2 (short) consultations £270. Luckily my health plan will cover one consultation and the endoscopy. I know the post isnt about waiting times, but I would hate to be waiting 46 weeks. It's ridiculous.

When I was at my DD's house today, her partner's father was there. He is the same age as me, 78, and he has been, and is, really poorly. He has had several endoscopies and is having another one on Tuesday. He is not at all bothered at the thought of having it. He said the sedation puts him out and the next thing he knows, they are waking him up. So that doesn't sound too bad, but I still hope I can go on avoiding one.

I’ve got a bleeding disorder, and had to have my stomach and bowel checked. I had a haematoma in my stomach which was treated at the time.

I have had reflux for years now and have never been offered an endoscopy, and I'm certainly not going to ask for one. Why do some people get them and not others?

I was sent for one because I suddenly began getting heartburn and reflux, and because my Dad died of oesophageal cancer and I, myself, have already had cancer twice. My GP (and I) thought it best to check.

Turns out I have a small hiatal hernia but mainly I had an inflamed oesophagus (oesophagitis). I did not want to take Omeprazole which is the recommended treatment for oesophagitis, but which has dreadful side effects for someone with my gut and other problems, so I treated it with acupuncture and homeopathy and it went away and never came back. The hiatal hernia is obviously still there but doesn't bother me.

I had one done, with just the throat spray. It was much worse than I expected! I felt myself panicking, but managed (just) to stop myself lashing out. It was not a nice experience!

The upside of no sedation is you can leave earlier than if you have sedation.

I have them as I have PBC, an auto immune condition where my bile duct leaks bile onto my live and surrounding areas., It can cause bleeding in my oesophagus and they check this out at regular intervals, A bit of a pain really but rather be safe than sorry. Also had 2 done to see if I was a coeliac. I consider myself really lucky that I under such great care.

I had a lumbar puncture 19 years ago, and the week before I was due to go, me and my husband were chatting to ex army man who told me he had one, saying oh god you won’t handle that I was as sick as a dog had blinding headache you wanna see the size of the needle, well for a start you do not see the needle, I had it done, it’s not nice I wasn’t sick, nor did I feel sick no headache, I had to lay down and rest afterwards but I went shopping in supermarket on way home, so I would say like everything else in life, there are people that it will affect and others that like to exaggerate

I was only pressurised to have offered one when my doctor died and the practice was taken over.
My doctor had told me that if medication worked on my pain then it was safe to assume it was an ulcer, which I did.

New doctor said that wasn't the case at all, and that I really should be checked out, as medication can mask more serious problems.

I actually have a sliding hiatus hernia, so, same medication, but at least I know for definite.

Let's hope all these tests are not as bad as we fear. Last year I was quite worried about a head MRI with contrast. I started imagining all sort of complications, as it was it was bearable enough and no side effects from the contrast, not even a headache!

Mine is because I get nauseous spells. I do wish there was somethjng else.
Last time I had one years ago rhey said it showed gastritis and I was given omeprazole But they like to check what is causing problems before prescribing.

Maybe because they are in a lot of pain constantly I think Lucywinter, some it affects more than other people, and they can feel pain in other areas, also once you get your results then you probably know what you are dealing with and why this is happening, most drs will ask you to go for one, if you are suffering,must admit the thought makes me shudder

Thankss Guineagirl

Luckygirl thank you!

Out of all the endoscopies people on here have had, has anything useful really come out of having one?

I have had reflux for years now and have never been offered an endoscopy, and I'm certainly not going to ask for one. Why do some people get them and not others?

BlueSky - I think it is the gentle pressure from the nurse pushing it in that helps it to go down.

How do you cope with swallowing the tube when you usually have trouble in swallowing tablets?

I’ve had it done three times over the years due to reflux is not pleasant but I just have the spray. Afterwards I was given a cup of tea and is biscuit. It’s not too bad and soon done.

Don’t

I understand this Guineagirl as the first colonoscopy I had the same thing happened to me regarding dizziness and blood pressure going down I was feeling horrendous and felt rough for couple of days after, I’ve had two colonoscopies since and was fine with both, so that’s one of the reasons I asked about endoscopy, I do t suffer anxiety or depression, but my body does react to quite a few things

Yes probably unusual, I have anxiety and depression so it was hard for me to do, colonoscopy and endoscopy but things needed to be checked out because of the symptoms I had

I felt so dizzy and when they took it it was 99/60 which was low for me it’s usually 113. The nurse leading me to the chair said slow down but it was so weird I said I can’t it was as if I was in fight or flight mode literally rushing. I suppose I was doing my best to have the endoscopy done and hiding how I felt until it was over.

That's interesting about the NHS having cut back on the amount of sedation. The first one I had was a couple of years ago, and I felt that I had been 'under'. I had the sedative injection and knew nothing until I woke up in a bed in a recovery room.

The last one I had was a follow-up in November, and I was fully conscious throughout. I would happily have paid for a bit more sedative, but it wasn't offered.

I've a feeling your reaction was unusual?

Can you expand on the BP thing Guineagirl? How did you know it dropped??

Had this procedure twice, both with throat spray as sedation not offered. It’s ok, feels a bit scary at first because you can’t help but’ gag’ a bit but it is not painful, just a bit of a weird sensation. It is over quite quickly. (10 mins max) I also had biopsies taken but did not feel this happening at all.
Good luck, you will be fine ??