I'm having an endoscopy tomorrow and I'm so worried! Should i go for sedation? I really don't know what to do! Please help and tell me it will be ok 😪
I wouldn't presume to tell you what to do because you are you and I am me!
Because my hangups are anaesthetic related (They terrify me ) I chose to go without sedation and it was absolutely fine. The staff said I was their easiest patient that morning.
The sensation of swallowing the camera ( remember, it's not a Kodak Brownie ) is that same as swallowing a piece of dry bread. I can swallow quite large pills without gagging. Can you?
I remember I asked the nurse to just keep talking to me. She would have, anyway, I think, but it is reassuring to know what's going on and pleasantly distracting to have a human voice to listen to. I had also been given an explanatory leaflet. If, like me, you are a " have to know" person this is useful. If, though you are " I don't want to know" then I think the sedation is a better option.
Hope that helps and best of luck.
Thankyou Betty! I have had gastritis symptoms for 5 weeks now...all blood tests are normal...CT scan was normal and now I'm having this endoscopy tomorrow...im taking esomprazole and ranitidine.i could probably have it done without sedation but My anxiety levels are very high these days so i was thinking of sedation during the procedure just in case i start panicking 😥
I had mine last week, yes sedation all the way, I knew nothing about it.
I would always go with sedation. I asked to be heavily sedated and was knocked out. I woke up after the scope and was completely fine.
I went to the hospital (I am a regular visitor) and went and had a look at the scopes beforehand. They are not small, if you have any sort of gag refle or you auffer from anxiety, I would suggest sedation.
I had my first endoscopy about 8 weeks ago, they found a short hiatus hernia and a tiny ulcer caused by acid reflux due to the hernia. When they said I had to go back for another scope I could have cried because my gag went into overdrive. I am back next Friday for my repeat scope and I am dreading it, however I will still do it without sedation as right after the procedure I could leave and I was on the train going back home within 45 minutes. It's not pleasant but it's over in 5 minutes. If you get the sedation you will be there for a longer period of time, you also need someone with you and for 24 hours afterwards. That said you may find you just can't cope and need something to take the edge off. It's really up to you. I underestimated how unpleasant it would be but it wasn't horrific.
Thankyou so much for your help! I'm going to go for sedation as I'm very anxious and depressed 😥
How was it after the procedure? Did you have a sore throat?
Thankyou! How was it after the procedure?
Absolutely fine, although some people react differently. But remember, this is a sedative not a general anaesthetic. I asked for an extra dosage because I am 6'2"+ and I have a real gag reflex and know there is no way that pipe would go down my throat awake.
They stuck a cannula in my hand and then soon after they syringed the sedative, the last thing I remember was the syringe going into the cannula.
Next thing I knew, I felt the trolley moving and the bang as the trolley hit the swing doors to open them. I was taken to the recovery room and I was walking about in 2 minutes, most people were taking a little longer. After another couple of minutes, I was given a glass of water. Because that stayed down, I was shown to a room and given tea and biscuits.
5 minutes later, a nurse took me the 10ft to the exit and upon seeing my wife, left me to go home. I felt fine, no sedative after effects and no sore throat etc. The main thing for me was, I did not want to be awake when they tried to stick that pipe down my throat, it isn't a tiny tube, it is quite thick.
Thankyou so much for this...i really appreciate it! 
Hi I'm new to the group and just like you I was terrified that I was having a endoscopy today 5/5/17. I have had 3 confirmed appointments which I always cancelled.
Back in 2013 I had my first colonoscopy and it was a disaster (all my fault) as I elected to try and do it without sedation... Bad mistake half way into the procedure I was screaming for sedation and they finally knocked me out.
Fast forward to today. I had been having pain in the upper part of my stomach since 2014. I was affaid to have a endoscopy.
I could not sleep last night and my appointment was at 7am finally around 4am I fell asleep.
I told myself​ I was going to do it sedation and all!
I was not afraid when they started prepping me.
I told them I was affaid and wanted some happy meds which was administrated before going into the procedure room.
Once there I was still talking and the last thing I remember was the nurse telling me to roll on my left side, When I woke up I was in recovery.
That was less than 12 hrs ago and I am doing just fine. No sore throat no after affects of the sedation and no pain in my tummy.
Not a bad experience at all for me anyway
I am 59 years old.
Hope this helps.
HI everyone! Endoscopy went well...i asked to be sedated and didn't feel a thing! I have mild gastritis and have been told to continue taking esomprazole for the next 6-8 weeks
You should be fine. Just go to a regular hospital and not a VA Hospital to have it done. My father had his done at a VA in Dallas. He was in pre renal failure before they started it but went into post renal failure a day after they finished. He passed 8 days later.
Hi Betty,
Are you from America by chance? I have my endoscopy tomorrow and am absolutely terrified of the sedation. I haven't been able to sleep all week. I called and talked to two different receptionists and they said they never do it without sedation! 😭😭😭 I really don't want sedation. Any advice?
I have had 2 endoscopies done, both times without sedation. The first time was a bit more difficult as I wasn't prepared for the gagging, I knew there would be some but I didn't know how much. I had my second one just over a week ago, this time I was more prepared, concentrated on breathing in and out through the mouth and it was over and done with in less than 5 minutes with minimal gagging this time. The longest part was waiting, my appointment was at 10.30 and I wasn't taken til 12.25. Ironically I think the delay was in part due to the amount of people having sedation. Each to their own but I personally would not have sedation, just go for the throat spray. Good luck!
Hi
I was terrified just like you before the endoscopy...i would definitely recommend sedation...didn't feel a thing! It was only for 5 minutes...you will be fine...just relax :-)
No, I'm in Norfolk, UK.
It seems a bit high handed for doctors to have a blanket rule here when there is plenty of evidence that, for many people, sedation is entirely unnecessary. How persuasive can you be? Would you be prepared to ask the doctor to consider just giving you the throat spray? I have found that a calm polite query usually gets a sympathetic hearing.
Best of luck. Hope it all goes well.
I second that. It is not like a GA, it is a sedative and you recover quickly from it. You don't feel a thing.