Gastroscopy very soon

I’m pleased it was good news, Primrose. I wonder how the mixup happened. A friend of mine had a trans nasal gastroscopy recently and said it was fine, too. She had been refused sedation because she is over 75. I wonder if they are replacing traditional endoscopies for older people with the trans nasal type if they don’t need sedation. I think I would still prefer to be fast asleep though.

I assumed it was the gastroscopy today so rang up on Mon to ask if I needed to fast or anything. I was told I wasn’t have the procedure, it was just “a first appointment” so didn’t need to do anything.

Got there and a doctor in scrubs called me in! We did the questions, examined ears and felt neck and throat then said was it OK if he put a camera up nose, down throat and into stomach. Good job I was sitting down!! 😱. I asked about sedation and he said it wasn’t necessary. A kind nurse allowed me to hold her hand. Good job I didn’t have time to think about it. i did gag a couple of times and his english was not great so it wasn’t easy to follow his instructions to breathe, swallow, say E and breathe normally. But it was soon over and done with and he said there were no signs of lumps, bumps or cancer.

The procedure is called a Trans nasal gastroscopy and examines the throat, oesophagus and stomach.

I am reassured obviously but I did ask why I am still getting hoarse and he said our voices change as we age which I am not convinced about. The GP gave me some nasal spray but he said I don’t need it so don’t use it again. Let’s see how the snoring and coughing go tonight!

Good luck. I’ve had numerous colonoscopies due to the cancer but not the other end. I would be scared stiff. There is no one to stay with me and they like someone to stay overnight. My daughter would but she would have to take time off work, organise someone to pick up gd from school etc then overnight means she has problems with work next day. Therefore I would have to not have sedation and would panic. If I needed this procedure I would just have to opt for not having it and live with consequences. I really would rather die than have it

I am so sorry about your dad but try not to worry as it may not be as bad as that. I have Barrett’s Oesophagus yes it can develop into Cancer but it can also be managed. I lost weight exercise and eat very healthy I avoid spice and acidic and I don’t drink. I am not troubled by it much these days, (touch wood) unlike my friend who is overweight eats rubbish never exercises and drinks like a fish .
I had all your symptoms apart from snoring or chocking. I go for a Gastroscopy regularly. The first one was horrendous but I was very anxious now I take sedition and they do get better or you get used to it.

They may want to do a swallow test and those are unpleasant (a number of different test ) be prepared that you cannot have sedition for those test.

The main point I want to get over is, your symptoms can relate to something as simple ranging from reflux, Barrett’s Oesophagus and apparently even irritable bowel, so it may not be cancer. All the best

I’m sorry about your dad, Primrose, that would worry me too.

That experience you had sounds very traumatic, you need to know that they’re aware of the possible problem. Could you ring up you consultant’s secretary and ask if it’s known about? They’re often very helpful, and have more opportunity to ask about things than we patients do.

Wishing you the best of luck with your procedure x

My main reason for no sedation was that having multi allergies, I have had reactions to sedation in the past, resulting on one occasion in being intubated.
The consultant informed me that I gave everyone a very big fright. I remembered nothing.

Marydoll

I suppose there are lots of variables at play, including the skill of the clinician performing the procedure, our own medical circumstances and how we cope with pain or stress.

Agreed. Whilst I can understand that some have a need to leave the hospital ASAP, and sedation means that you need to 'come round' and have a lift organised, I wouldn't want to have the procedure without it, and there is no need to do so (or to have one without adequate sedation) if the patient doesn't want to. As the OP said she hated her last one, it's fair to point out to her that she can have it done without trauma.

My husband drove me to mine, armed with a crossword, a book and his iPad, but he wasn't allowed to stay in the waiting room, so he went home and the receptionist called him when I was ready to be collected. If we had lived further away he could have gone to a cafe or something and waited there. I think it took a couple of hours including the time in the recovery room.

I suppose there are lots of variables at play, including the skill of the clinician performing the procedure, our own medical circumstances and how we cope with pain or stress.

Like FloraDora I've had one recently without sedation. I had driven myself to the hospital and didn't want to hang around afterwards. I was very surprised at how easy and painless it was and fascinating to watch the screen and see what was down there too!

Loobs that's exactly what I do, except Im Rome!

Another one who has has an endoscopy with just the numbing spray. I was planning on having the sedation and my daughter came with me to drive me home afterward but the nurse encouraged me to proceed without. I found that I could 'escape' what was happening by walking (in my mind) from my home to my junior school as I had done years ago, picturing all the things I hadn't thought about since then, the house with the weeping willow, the church hall where we went to Brownies, the zebra crossing by the doctor's surgery. I thoroughly enjoyed my 'walk' - I've used this technique since when in similar circumstances.

I can understand your anxiety hope you get the result you want.

I had a colonoscopy then a gastroscopy a couple of years ago.
I chose to drive knowing I would not have sedation (but I was more worried about needing to go to the toilet after all the medication!) It was not pleasant but it was fine. I watched everything on the screen and it was really interesting! (Perhaps I'm a bit weird!) Everyone was really nice. I had a cup of tea in the waiting room after and was on my way. I hope everything goes well for you Primrose. Good luck and best wishes.

Hi, I had one in January. The staff were amazing! I think I was more worried about what they may find than the actual procedure. I read up on it and opted for the numbing spray. Like Floradora9, I didn't want to wait around afterwards. The whole thing was over more quickly than I expected. Yes there was some discomfort and strange sensations, but as I said the staff were brilliant and explained everything as it happened. The results were pretty instant too. Try not to worry! Hope it all goes OK.

I’ve had one, no sedation but 40mg propranolol from my GP, it was fine.

I ve had with and without sedation the one without was horrible I nearly hit the roof the next one with sedation was fine and I came round perfectly bright had a drink and sandwich then went home

Not the nicest procedure to have - I feel your fear of having it.

I’ve had to have lots over the years, and I’ve found if I close my eyes (can’t see anything without my specs on anyway) stay as calm as I can, concentrate hard on taking deep breaths, and laying as still as I can, I can get through it.

I’ve had the procedure with and without sedation.. but have decided if I don’t have sedation, I can get on with my day after, remember what’s gone on and what’s been said.

Hoping everything goes well for you Primrose53

I had one recently with no sedation so I could just go home as soon as it was over. The sedated patients were still in beds when I left. It was fine .

I had the procedure last week.Having the numbing spray and swallowing the tube was unpleasant but then I was sedated and I felt nothing until I woke up.I felt fine afterwards.I am now waiting for biopsy results.

I have had several gastroscopies, and one was awful. I asked about the level of sedation, and it turned out that it was a lot lower than the others. I had had 5 units of the drug for some, and the awful one was only 2. The others were in between. I discussed it with the consultant, and she promised that she would give me 3 and check if I was conscious enough to care, and if I were she would give me more. Apparently I had 3 units and I knew nothing about it.

I'm sure if you explain your fears you will be able to have your mind put at rest. Good luck.

fflur

I had a gastroscopy and colonoscopy 6 weeks ago. I had sedation - I could have had gas and air - and the whole procedure was painless . Everything was explained to me during and after the procedure. Years ago when I was a nurse I remember people being distressed but it's not like that now. I hope that your endoscopy just reveals something minor that can be alleviated with medication.

Colonoscopies don’t bother me at all and I have had several as I am at med-high risk of bowel cancer. I had sedation for my previous gastroscopy and it was blooming awful. THAnk you for your kind words.

I had one last year without sedation, just numbing throat spray. It wasn't as bad as I feared. It did show up some issues, which were treated.
The staff said I was the most relaxed patient they'd ever met. That may because it was nothing compared to some of the awful procedures I have had done.

In the event that they do find something, at least you will have a reason your discomfort and the option of treatment. It's better than all taht worry worry and angst.

Good luck!

I had a gastroscopy and colonoscopy 6 weeks ago. I had sedation - I could have had gas and air - and the whole procedure was painless . Everything was explained to me during and after the procedure. Years ago when I was a nurse I remember people being distressed but it's not like that now. I hope that your endoscopy just reveals something minor that can be alleviated with medication.