Endoscopy appointment but anxious.

I’ve had two. First fine without sedation, second, a trainee attempted it and not fine, and had to finish procedure with sedation. Definitely will opt for sedation if I have another, and I am not a wimp.

I've just had one (my fourth over a few years). Definitely insist on sedation, as it's uncomfortable without. I was woken up after the procedure and had no memory of it! Never felt a thing. I was famished and polished off some sandwiches and a cup of tea with no problems. Felt a little tired when I got home, but other than that, no after-effects. Yes, you will have to stop your reflux medication a couple if weeks before the procedure. Good luck.

Had one recently and was terrified, but had sedation and can honestly say didn’t feel a thing. Woke up had a cup of tea and biscuit, went home. Make sure you have someone to take you home afterwards.

Dillonsgranma

I had endoscopy and colonoscopy on same day with same surgeon. I opted for sedation as it makes life easier for everyone. The only trouble I had was terrible windy flatulence afterwards! Trumpet noises!
You’ll be fine xxx

I sat up and did a HUGE burp.
Very embarrassing.

I’ve had the procedure done twice with light sedation and no problems. As far as I recall, the only one of my medications I had to stop the day before was my blood thinners, but you will receive copious notes before explaining everything so don’t worry. Good luck!

I had endoscopy and colonoscopy on same day with same surgeon. I opted for sedation as it makes life easier for everyone. The only trouble I had was terrible windy flatulence afterwards! Trumpet noises!
You’ll be fine xxx

I had several endoscopies in my earlier years as I suffered duadenal ulcers, I was lucky to be in the firms private health scheme at the time and always had sedation, absolutely
no problems what so ever. Fast forward to last year, aged 82, I needed an endoscopy to check my hiatus hernia so no problem anticipated but they decided, in their infinite wisdom, I did not need sedation, just a throat spray!!! I honestly thought I was going to choke to death, the whole experience was horrendous as the hernia was blocking the pathway they needed to take!!! I admit I am a wimp when it comes to medical matters, but this really was the most unpleasant experience of my life, carried out by a very junior person, who i suggested would be more suited to a career behind a butcher counter!!!! I was really crying as I was in so much discomfort and pain, never again, so please, do not let them talk you out of having sedation as it makes the world of difference.

I asked for a CT scan instead of a Endoscopy and had that instead.
Much less invasive and no pain.
Ask for the cannula to be put in your arm, again less painful than the back of your hand.
They give you a powder that you mix with water to take a day before. It clears out your bowel so you need to stay near your toilet after you take it .
Good Luck.

Depends which end they're "scoping". I've had three gastroscopies without sedation and with very little discomfort. I had a colonoscopy with light sedation but I could hear everything they said and had hardly any discomfort.

I had slight sedation. It was a better procedure than I expected. I had to take medication the day before to get everything out of my bowel, so stay next to a toilet for a couple of days. This was the only dislike I had about the whole thing. Good luck.

I had one without sedation (my daughter took me because I was going to be sedated but the nurse talked me out of it). I didn't really feel any pain, my worry was more panicking with the tube down my throat. I tried to think of a way to calm down and I lay there and went through (in my head) the walk I used to take to school as a child. I saw the front garden of my childhood home, all the houses around, went past each of the roads - walked past our church - it's the most relaxed I've been in years. Nurse gave me a high five when it was over and I did feel good that I had managed it.

Uncomfortable yes, painful no, but if you are anxious have the sedative. of course. I chose not to be sedated as you are advised to have someone around you for the next 24 hours.

I second what everyone says. Try to relax, make sure you take blood pressure meds if prescribed before you go.

I was diagnosed with erosive gastritis after for years of being unable to eat. I wish I had started investigating earlier.

I had one without sedation about three years ago, just the throat spray and it was fine, hiatus hernia diagnosed.

Thank you all so much. I now feel so much better about it. I hope they offer sedation which I will take. What I would like to know is about the preparation as I read somewhere you have to come off all tablets for a few days. I am slowly coming off Omeprazole so hope I will manage that by that time. I have bp tablets.

Definitely go for the sedation.

BlueBelle

I would personally ask for a light sedation I’ve had two, one with and one without and the one with sedation was a doddle most people seem fine without but I wasn’t I found it horrid
I didn’t have any after issues at all

I had a very similar experience toBB ie. first one without sedation (ghastly) and second one with (OK). The only trouble with the sedation is that you have to have someone to drive you home and preferably stay with you a while. They don't normally like you to go home on public transport or a taxi.

I endorse what others have said - I have had several and it is not as bad as you expect.

BlueBelle

Can I also add the sedation is light and I was awake and asking for a drink and sandwich straight afterwards and honest felt so well I could have done a days work
Ask for sedation

Am with you all the way on this! The sedation, which is very light makes all the difference, def ask for this.You must have someone to collect you afterwards and not drive yourself.
Try not to worry, it’s an easy procedure.

Can I also add the sedation is light and I was awake and asking for a drink and sandwich straight afterwards and honest felt so well I could have done a days work
Ask for sedation

I had one last week. I opted for sedation and was also given the throat spray. There was no pain or discomfort at all and it is over very quickly. You will need someone to take you there and stay overnight. Good luck.

Def take the sedation! It’s over before you know it that way….also the throat spray if offered . I had a really nice nurse who advised both and def was the right call. I think I slept through it!
Hope this helps.

I had one last month .....had it without sedation and I was quite anxious but it was ok...more discomfort than pain....took about 10 mins from scope going in....only actual real pain I felt was for a few seconds when the scope reaches the duodenum and they twisted it to bring it back up ......the sedation on offer is midazalam usually.....I'm told it works fine ....you will need a cannula in for this....can make you sleepy, forgetful and a little confused, hence why you need to be picked up and not left alone for 24 hours....the staff are lovely....someone held my hand right thru.....they tell you the findings there and then ( mine was gastritis) .....then I was taken to a recovery room.....after I tolerated water, I was given tea and biscuits, then a nurse brought me a report with pictures of my bowel and explanations of where biopsies were done and details of the findings... ivwas allowed to leave after 20 mins ( its longer recovery with sedation but not much longer) ....you will be in good hands ..... I felt no after effects ... hope all goes well

I have had 2 endoscopies and before the first one I was terrified. However, the procedure was not nearly as bad as I had built it up to me in my mind. Friends had told me not to have the throat spray but opt for sedation and I would strongly recommend that. They will fit a blood catheter on to the back of your hand and once they inject the fluid you will remember very little of the procedure. The hospital will keep you for a while and you will not be allowed to drive yourself home. Good luck. If I was told I needed another endoscopy I would not be worried at all.

I have had two and my experience was exactly the same as BlueBelle.
Take the light sedation option if you can and try not to worry
Good luck