Endoscopy Without Sedation
Nov 17, 2010
I had an Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy this morning. I didn't know whether I wanted to do with or without sedation until the last minute. I had read this forum and asked about every single person I know, and everyone said I was crazy to consider doing it without sedation. In the end, talking to the nurse, I decided to try without it. And I am so glad I did! I would be surprised if the endoscopy itself lasted longer than 5 minutes. It is very unpleasant, don't get me wrong, I did not gag or vomit, but there were a couple of moments where I thought I was going to have a panic attack, so I just concentrated on breathing deeply and keeping calm. When it was over I was up and out of the hospital in 10 minutes, which is great!
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I am sixteen years old and had an Upper gastroscopy yesterday!
Firstly DON'T WORRY! Alls I did was worry and it really was ok.
I checked into the hospital, and waited in my bed for about half an hour. I was then taken to a pre-theatre room, where i was told to lie on my back. I had my throat sprayed and it numbed it instantly. I then had the sedation put into a vain in my hand. The doctor then told me to lie on my side, but I couldn't as I was already sedated (That's how quick it works!)
DON'T worry about the air being pumped into you, I didn't feel a thing!
The next thing I knew, I woke up and it was all over. The procedure only lasted for 5 minutes.
I waited around for about one hour for the sedation to ware off and then I went home with my mum and boyfriend.
Today I woke up with mild stomach pains due to the fact I had a BIOPSY took of my stomach, but as the day wore on they gradually got smaller.
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I can see a Colonoscopy coming my way.
Just wanted to say about 4 years ago I had to have an upper tract endoscopy (tube down throat) and was beside myself over it. I'm the biggest wimp going and very frightened of invasive procedures.
Anyway, circumstance on the day were that if I had sedation I'd have no one to drive me home afterwards but I wanted to get it over and one with.
So believe it or not I asked for it without sedation. The nurse tried to dissuade me but I stuck to my guns. I did accept the throat spray though. I calmed myself as much as I could and walked into the procedure room.
I'm please to say I managed it without sedation and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. No pain and only minimal discomfort. I did mumble about getting the endoscope out quick just before the end but by then it was nigh on all over. The examining doctor said I'd done so well to tolerate it. That made me doubly proud of myself because at the time I suffered from severe panic attacks (now thankfully gone).
Back in recovery all my fellow endoscopes who'd had their procedure before me were snoring their heads off. I waited there a while because I wanted the numbness the spray had caused to my throat to wear off. During this wait I heard other patients who had been sedated fighting, groaning, moaning and shouting during their investigation. I'm sure that would have been me if I'd been left with no control.
Now possibly got to face a colonoscopy and heading to that section to see what the score is on that front.
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I have been taking omeprazole 40mg daily for a suspected peptic ulcer for 2 months. The pain has now completely gone. I'm due for an endoscopy in 2 weeks to check everything. I came off omeprazole yesterday, as instructed by the hospital, but have started today with indigestion and excess saliva production which is affecting my sleep. Will this subside? Any more experiences out there?
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So I saw my GI doctor today. Did a rectal exam, went over all of the testing I had done. She does not think my symptoms are anything serious (yay!) but she does want to do an endoscopy on Monday to see if there is an ulcer or anything.
I am SCARED! I have never had any sort of sedation or medical procedure. Anyone been through this? What can I expect? I have classes the next day and I am hoping I will be able to function fine the next day. Any input helps
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I had a gastroscopy within the last few days. I was “sedated” with 2mg of Midazolam but this did not seem to work very well. I did not feel drowsy at any time and had considerable problems of retching and discomfort throughout the procedure. I was very much aware of the tube, and being spoken to by the nurse during the procedure.
The nurse insisted on inserting the cannula on the inside of my elbow (which has dodgy veins and was clearly very badly bruised by previous week’s blood test), and not in the back of my hand as I had expected (and had experienced on all previous cases of anaesthesia). I did query this at the time. Is it possible that the drug was not in fact administered correctly? Or are some people just not very much affected by this drug?
The hospital also discharged me nearly an hour earlier than they had led me to expect – so presumably they too thought that I did not need the usual length of recovery time from the so-called sedation!
It would be very helpful to know what might have caused the sedation to work much less adequately than expected – in case there is another time. I realise that I may have had unreasonable expectations – but other patients I have spoken to seem to have had very different experiences and several hours of drowsiness (but all these cases were private and not NHS so it is possible that they may have been sedated differently or with bigger doses).
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Had an examination a few months ago but he couldn't go far because I was in so much discomfort. They found piles which they are going to band but haven't properly looked into the bowel because of the discomfort. I'm hoping the blood on toilet tissue is due to the piles
This time in having sedation. Will this knock me out completely or will I be awake during the procedure ??
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So I am scheduled to have an endoscopy done on Friday. I have read all the bad things that happen after having the procedure. How often do you have really bad symptoms? Bad gas, bloating, abdominal pain, etc after the procedure.
I am really tempted to call off having it done right now. The pain that I have is not daily and doesn't last long. It is something that I can live with and wait out a few months if need be.
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I had an endoscopy in February to assess why I had a lump sensation in the throat and some stomach pain. Prior to the procedure I had no chest pain whatsoever.
After the endoscopy, I was diagnosed with silent reflux and Barrett's Oesophagus and have had chest pain ever since.
I told the consultant about this a few days ago and he wants to perform another endoscopy to find out why I have had chest pain since the initial procedure. I'm a bit hesitant as I'm not 100% sure that he didn't cause the problem in the first place. Would anyone else go ahead or get another consultant to have a look?
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i had an endoscopy on Monday afternoon and ever since I've been having these sharp pains during and after eating. Is this normal? The pain sometimes radiates to my back or over my whole chest area making me panic and think I'm having a heart attack. I have a heavy set girl and keep thinking I'm going to die!
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I just thought I'd post my experience with my upper endoscopy/gastroscopy today, as I'd been putting it off for ages due to the awful stories I read online. I think people are more inclined to post their experience if it's an unusually traumatic one, so I'd like to add another good story to balance it out!
Background: I'm a 26 year old female. It was about a year ago that my GP pushed for a gastroscopy, but after doing my research, I refused. Even the thought of it made my heart skip a beat. I was in the hospital once for an ultrasound and walked by the endoscopy unit... I remember thinking, no way am I ever going in there! Then this year I suffered a few bad bouts of vomiting, and my GP again encouraged me to have a gastroscopy. By then I was so sick that I just wanted to do whatever I could to help myself.
So, in preparation, I read as many encouraging experiences as I could. By the time I arrived at the hospital today (University College London), I was in good spirits and excited to finally get it over with. I knew I was going to opt for just the throat spray and no sedation, as I always feel like my best chance of getting through anything is mind power.
After an hour's wait, I was led into the procedure room and prepared by two lovely nurses. The doctor sprayed the numbing stuff into my mouth (it kind of stung and tasted weird, but it didn't bother me). I was expecting to feel uncomfortable as my throat was numbed, but it wasn't bad at all. I could still sort of feel myself swallow. If you feel like you can't swallow and it weirds you out, just put your hand on your throat and feel yourself swallow from the outside.
The nurses then inserted the mouth piece, and the doctor told me to close my eyes. I felt the endoscope go to the back of my throat. He told me to swallow, and next thing you know I felt it (very faintly) go down my throat. I could breathe normally, as the endoscope was a lot narrower than my esophagus (I had pictured it as being so big it would block the air!), and I could even swallow without choking. Swallowing had been my main concern, because I find it hard not to swallow for long periods. But I was able to breathe and swallow as normal.
While the endoscope was in my stomach, I was comfortable enough - I could have lasted like that for another hour. A few minutes in, the doctor moved the endoscope into my duodenum, and this is when it felt a tiny bit sore for a few seconds. It was more like discomfort than pain. He took some biopsies, which didn't hurt at all, I just didn't like the general feeling of something in that part of my intestine. But that part was so short (20 seconds or so) and the doctor reassured me by saying the procedure was almost over. Next thing I know, he pulled it back into my stomach, then all the way back up my throat. The whole thing lasted about 5 minutes max, no gagging at all. I would do it again right away if I had to! I'm really glad I didn't opt for sedation, as being aware of how easy it was going is what kept me calm throughout. I was out of the hospital and on the bus home within 15min of being done.
Here's to reassure you about some common fears people have:
Gagging and being sick: The throat spray will do a lot to stop gagging, but even if you do gag, remind yourself that it's okay. It doesn't feel nice, but you're not going to die or have permanent damage, and there's probably nothing in your stomach for you to vomit up. I've had plenty of nights vomiting continuously for 10 hours, thinking I was going to suffocate, bursting blood vessels in my face from the violent gagging. So, absolute worst case scenario, I'm sure you can manage a few minutes of that surrounded by nurses that are taking care of you. But you probably won't be near that bad!
In preparation, I actually trained my gag reflex to be less sensitive. Touching your gag reflex over time will desensitise it. If gagging really has you worried, I suggest Googling instructions (sword swallowers do this, as do people who... ahem... deep throat). This could be especially useful if you're the kind of person who gags when they brush their teeth or swallow pills. Sensitivity should return when you stop "exercising" the reflex (it's not good to weaken it forever, as it's there to stop you from choking!). Making a fist with your left hand and squeezing your left thumb inside it is also said to suppress your gag reflex.
Not being able to breathe: Nothing to be afraid of here, there is plenty of space in your throat and nose to breathe.
Not being able to swallow: I managed to swallow just fine throughout, but you may not even need to, as the nurses suck out excess saliva with one of those dentist tubes.
Pain: Many people experience no pain, others just a tiny bit of soreness or discomfort at points. But probably nothing worse than the symptoms that have led you to do this test.
Panicking: If you are vaguely comfortable with things going past your gag reflex (as I was after desensitising it), you shouldn't have anything to worry about. I could hardly feel the tube in my throat. Thank goodness for that spray stuff! And just keep telling yourself it's a very short, safe, painless procedure, and each second you bear is one second closer to it being over. In the lead up to test, read other people's good experiences, and focus on the positive of how glad you'll be to have finally done it.
If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer. If you're still really scared about having a gastroscopy, just remember, I was exactly like you a few months ago! And I managed to change my mindset to the point where I was laughing and joking with the nurses as they prepared me.
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I am having an SI joint injection Monday...I have the option of doing it with or without sedation. Thoughts? Experiences?
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i'm going to do endoscopy tomorrow, i'm so panic i cant sleep, its like im getting panic attack one by one, im terrified if i have a stomach cancer and im panic about risks of endoscopy if someone had cancer and if i use dat instrument of endoscopy i will have cancer too oh omg n list is going i know they r realy stupid thought but still they r on mind i'm 24 years old how was your experience?
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I'm currently suffering with presumed acid reflux. But it's just that presumed. I've been suffering every day with bad heartburn, I've completely changed my diet, in fact I'm not eating much at all.
So my doctor has prescribed me lansoprazole but its giving me bad side effects.
So I think I need a referral but I'm petrified of having an endoscopy.
If you have had one can u please share your experience?
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Over the last 12 months I've had nine or ten endoscopies. The first few were emergencies and I was not very aware of what was happening due to being fully knocked out.
Having survived the initial trauma, I now attend every 1 to 2 months for regular endoscopy checks. I had decided to try without sedation (just the spray) but the consultant virtually insisted that I have sedation. I was a bit annoyed at first at not being given much choice in the matter. They now use the spray and 3 mg of Midazolam each time. In ten seconds, I'm completely out of it and only wake up in recovery. No significant after effects and I'm usually off home in about an hour. Sometimes it goes really easily for the consultant and other times he experiences difficulties with me. Fortunately, the only time I know anything about these difficulties is after the procedure in recovery room.
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I thought I'd let you know about my experience of a gastroscopy and colonoscopy with sedation yesterday. I found this web site two days before my procedure and found it really useful.
I was told that I would have to have a gastroscopy and colonoscopy about three weeks ago and I've been so so worried about it ever since. I have a phobia about being sick so the thought of someone sticking a camera down my throat filled me with dread :shock: ....all that retching HELP!
Anyway I got to the hospital and after a short wait a really friendly nurse called me through to an assessment room. She asked me all the usual health questions. I explained to her that I was so anxious and was really worried about the retching and being sick. She explained that there might be some retching as this is the natural protection process to stop you choking.
The nurse said what might help is the anaesthetic throat spray. She also said that the camera had a little suction tube on it so if there was any fluid in your stomach they could suck it away. I asked if they could give me enough sedation to make me sleep, she said that they are only allowed to use so much, but I would be nice and relaxed and may fall asleep.
I was then asked to change into one of those groovy hospital gowns. The Doctor then came to speak to me and went through the consent form. I told him my fears, he was very sympathetic. He then asked me to walk to the endoscopy room. The doctor asked me if I wanted the throat spray, I said yes please! He told me that the spray may make me feel that there was a lump in my throat but I would still be able to breath and swallow normally. He then put a cannula in my arm and tried to put my mind at rest, he then asked me to lie on my left side. The nurse said she had to put a little sponge in my nose, this gave me oxygen. Also she had to put a tube in my mouth this was a type of mouth guard. The Doctor said that he would now be giving the sedation.
I felt myself relax, the next thing I knew the gastroscopy bit was over and they were nearly finished with the colonoscopy bit, with one of the nurses holding my hand. That was quite interesting as I could watch the screen (if I wanted), there was just one slight bit of discomfort, then I was taken back the to recovery area. The nurses said that I had tolerated both procedures really well. I was so relieved that I could not remember any of the gastroscopy...not even one retch :D ! The nurses then brought me tea and biscuits and shortly after was allowed to go home. I just wished I hadn't worried so much, so I hope you don't either!
I would like to thank the Endoscopy staff at DCH for looking after me so well.
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I wanted to get feedback on sedation , I get procedures every 10 days for the pain I have my doctors so SGBs on one foot then the other for I have RSD in both feet and the surgeon uses versed to sedate me and I now I've built up a tolerance , they use 4 doses where as when I first started I only received 1 dose but now this last procedure I felt no relief so the sedation is not working and it's very painful to do these nerve blocks without sedation so I'm lost as to what to do I'm considering stopping the injections because of this has anyone experienced the sedation not working anymore and if so what did you do?
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I have to go for a gastroscopy and want to have sedation. Will I be allowed to as I am anaemic, Hb of 5.3. Can anyone advise me?
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This evening I went for my flexible sigmoidoscopy & to say I was terrified was an understatement. I did not eat all day just in case I opted for sedation. On arrival the nurse showed me to my room & could see how nervous I was & she was so lovely & talked me through the procedure & said she really didn't think I would need sedation. I decided to go ahead without sedation & can honestly say this was the right decision. I could feel the air being put into my colon & the did have some slight pain very near the end of the procedure but it was bearable & I am quite a wimp. The worst part for me was when it was all over & I had wind but this only lasted for approx an hour. I am extremely lucky as there was nothing wrong which I am very happy about & the peace of mind is such a huge relief. I would certainly recommend having this procedure if you have any concerns. The whole thing lasted approx 15 mins.
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Doesn't make sense. Just sending back to original doctor. Anyone else? If so what was the cause?
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I went for a root canal and tooth extraction at a sedation clinic due to my anxiety. I was informed in the paper work that I would be having 'conscious sedation', I guess this means they would give me something to relax my body. I arrived at the sedation clinic (consent forms signed) and was called into the room. There was no pre-surgery consultation, they took my forms and before I'd even had a chance to ask them to explain anything including the procedure they had already placed the IV into my vein. I don't remember much after that but I woke up about an hour into the operation awake, but paralyzed. I could hear the nurses gossiping and talking as if i weren't even in the room (this panicked me even more as I thought I was dead). I began to feel the pain and kept trying to go 'AH' 'AH' and move my leg and the nurse would just say, 'Are you bored?' and ignore me. I remember this 'consciousness' because I began to choke on this salty stuff and ended up swallowing it. I had no idea my eyes were going to be covered and when I woke up I had absolutely no idea where my partner was or what had just happened. I felt traumatised by the whole thing. The drug they were going to use was never stated in the paperwork so I rang up the next day to research it. They said it was midazolam. I don't care if i signed a consent form, I was never told when anything was happening and nothing was explained to me prior to the IV being inserted, leaving me in a total state of panic when i awoke.
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