Hi ladies, due to various stomach issues I have been referred to endoscopy. Has any of you ladies had in (UK) ? How difficult is it? Do you feel sick? The mentioned ed 2 options local anesthetic throat spray or intravenous sedation. Do you have experience with these? Which one is best? Also how long is the whole procedure? They have not mentioned in the letter. I am freaked out about it! Please share your experiences. Thank you my lovely menapause ladies.
I had the throat spray and unless you can keep calm, go for the other option. It's not difficult, but can be stressful! As far as I could tell most people who were sedated looked okay, but then you have the sedation to get over. I was at the hospital on my own so I had to have the spray as you won't be able to get home alone after sedation.
With the spray they walk you into the room and introduce you to everyone. I looked up on a wipe board on the wall and I was the only 'live' patient that day which made me a bit nervous! They quickly talked me through what would happen and made sure I was okay with it. The spray sort of tastes like bananas and didn't take too long to start working. I had to lie down on my left side and they had some kind of pillow under my chin to hug. I admit it was pretty scary swelling the camera, but once it was past my throat I could only feel that something was there if you know what I mean. The noises that came out of me were horrendous! You belch a lot and sometimes bring up small amounts of bile which is what the pillow is for! Yes, to soak up the yuck! The calmer you are, the less you belch. They keep reminding you to breath to keep calm. There was a lovely nurse who mopped anything up, and held my hand to coax me through it. She was amazing. I honestly can't remember how long it ttook. I was maybe in the room for half hour or less? That includes discussing the findings too. There was maybe an hour wait before I went in, and I had to wait an hour after to make sure I was okay after. I still had to wait many hours before I could swallow so they warn you not to eat or drink until you can start to feel your throat.
If you are chill about things like that and don't want to be sedated, it's not the worst thing that can happen, but it's it's not the easiest thing in the world. If I had to do it again, I'd probably opt to stay awake as I am sure your throat is in much worse condition when they sedate you. But if you think you are going to be too nevous don't mess them around and change your mind at the last minute.
Meant to add excuse typos, and good luck with it! Either way it's not a big deal compared to other procedures.
Yes, I've had an endoscopy due to stomach issues. They put you put for it. I think the waiting around prep time took longer, cause so many people are in outpatient surgeries, do you have to wait your turn. What should have took about 1.5 hours was more like 3. They wheel you in there basically tell you about it, and before you know it your out and done. They basically stick a long tube down your esophagus into your stomach area,and then think they put some contrast in to take pictures, they take some tissue samples of your intestinal area too. You feel nothing nothing cause you are out the whole time. Afterward, just was in recovery where they gave me some crackers and water. Basically, was fine the rest of the day. Just my mouth or throat was kind of dry. You'll be fine. It'll be over before you know it. I had no reactions to the test. They just yold me what I already knew that I had diverticulosis (nonactive), and some gastritis.
Thank you Sabrina. It is ever so helpful to read your experience. I hope ypu are well and they didn't find anything wrong.
Hi yes i had the intravenous sedation, Didnt know anything about it. Came around fine to a cup of tea & a biscuit, honestly was fine after no effects at all.
Me too.
I had mine done in the U.S., with anesthesia. It went well. The doctor will take tissue for analysis, if he/she thinks appropriate. An endoscopy looks at your esophagus, stomach and the duodenum, which is the beginning of the small intestine.
Thank you very much ladies. Your comments and shared experiences are invaluable! Hope you all feel better soon.
Was this in the UK because both my experience was not out still away just felt a little groggy
I had it gone in the UK both times sedation and your not out you are still very much awake just feel a little groggy I would go for the the Christ spray if your not to nervous about it in the US they put them under but not here it's all about cost cutting a bit barbaric if you ask me
Throat spray
In the U.S., they typically use what's called conscious sedation. If done correctly, you are aware during the procedure, but because of the combination of the drugs used, you don't remember the procedure afterwards. This is also used for colonoscopies.
Given a choice, I would prefer to be sedated.
Hi can I ask is the stomach problems menapause related ? Just wondering as im currently having stomach problems and reflux ?Allyx
I feel it is. 
I think there is big connection. I don't think it is just a coincidence that many ladies here going through peri/meno gave so many gastro issues.
Sounds good to me. I think reading or the valuable experiences I will go for sedation too.
Hope all goes well and you get it sorted xx
Thank you 😍
Ally I definitely think the stomach issue is part of perimenopause. This is the first sympton that I got. And everything else followed. To be honest, this is my biggest sympton if I can get the gastritis under control then I will feel so much better. I'm noticing the gastritis is triggering my anxiety, naseau, lightheadness and dizxiness.
I did the endoscope and inflammation of the stomach was noted with no H pylori.
Other perimenopause symptons are getting better it's just this stomach .
I definitely thinks it's hormonal..im taking the biodentical progesterone pill and if the stomach is burning it stops the burning. But at the same time it makes me a bit agigitated and nervous...oh well it helps one thing..
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Yes I do think that stomach issue are perimenopause related. So ironic I started peri and the stomach issue was the first sympton. Then everything else followed... The rest of the peri symptons have gotten better..my biggest one is the gastritis. I'm starting to notice that the anxiety, naseau, and lightheadness is brought on by the stomach issue.