endoscopy: valium, profanol

Propofol and midazolam since I had a high level of a specific anxiety about the procedure. I didn't remember a damned thing and all went very smoothly. You will need a trusted person to take you home, and it is also helpful if you make clear that you would like any remarks your doctor makes to be made to that person as well, as the sedation will do a number on your memory even once you 'come around'.

Thanks so much, Muffin, that's really helpful.

Sedation every time. I do not know the particular drug I had but I remember very little. Others I know who refused sedation in favour of the tongue spray, didn't fare so well. Good advice from Muffin.

Beg to differ Sarnia I just had the spray and I was fine. It meant I could chat to the medics straight afterwards, remember what they said, pick up the paperwork, then drive home.
Each to their own.

Thanks very much. My daughter (having the endoscopy) has a phobia of things making her gag. It sounds as if propafol is the way forward, even though it means a long wait compared with valium, as an aesthetist has to be present.

Hi, I want to put your mind at rest. The anxiety over the procedure was actually worse than the actual thing for me. I had to collect my son from school afterward so I couldn’t be sedated. I didn’t have anything. The staff were so good. I relaxed and did everything they said and it was over so quickly,
I wondered what I’d been worrying about.
Hope that helps.

Oops didn’t notice you’d said she has a phobia. That is probably different altogether then. Hope she gets on ok.

Which end are we talking about?

Luckygirl throat…not btm.

Top end - I have had 3. Once with no sedation, once with sedation, and once with a few puffs of entonox first - was able to drive straight home after the latter - it worked really well. I vote for this as my favourite!

Rear end - have had several - all with no drugs - all fine.

I tried it with the spray and found it painful and an awful experience so afterwards I ve always asked for sedation and that’s fine wouldn’t have it if I couldn’t be sedated

Hi - I don't think you mean propofol OP, as all that seems to be offered is nothing, sedation using midazolam/fentanyl, both with/without Entonox "as needed" - stuff that's administered by the endoscopist. Propofol and upwards GA needs an anaesthetist present - which is rare for urgent/screening requests.

You can pay privately for propofol I found - but this literally only manages the anxiety for the procedure - you are on your own before and after.

In exceptional circumstances the NHS will provide propofol sedation - but seem to want you to fail a few times with the standard offering first.

As someone that is also phobic - I don't want to attempt it in case it fails - as I think that would make me worse!

I think after 4 years, the OP has now had her endoscopy!

OLD THREAD

Had both midazolam for camera down & fentanyl for the other end. Oh someone asked on another thread about nasal camera, midazolam for that, although they gave me half way through as they wanted to check my vocal cords.