I am having to swallow a camera to find out the reason for my hoarseness, I already know that I shall not be able to do this with Valium as I am taking them. My Hubby has Cancer and am by stressed, I wondered if anyone knows whether I can have something stinger ,Ike a it of I'V? Sedation?
Dear Veronica
firstly, let me assure you I would no be replying unless I had this procedure myself. I did, although some years ago, so what I have to say should be comforting, especially as I imagine things have improved since my experience.
I had the procedure for the same reason as you. they tried examining my throat without resorting to this procedure, but I have a very low threshold gag reflex and they couldn't do it any other way.
I was and am still on Diazepam too, so our circumstances are very closely aligned.
Let me tell you, I was terrified at the prospect of having this done to me, but all for nothing. I've had worse experiences at the Dentist. Honestly!
The staff and the specialist where caring, understanding, and re-assuring. I had almost half an hour to calm myself down before the procedure and the specialist came to speak with me personally to tell me that they never "force" this on anyone.
He said if at anytime I showed the slightest distress, they would stop immediately.
I won't go into detail, but this is what happened. I went into the exam room on a trolley. A nurse sat next to me and held my hand. They sprayed the back of my throat with anaesthetic so that I had no gag reflex at all, and when I told them I was ready they gave me an injection.
They asked me to count backward from ten. The next thing I remember is opening my eyes with a different nurse holding my hand, only to realise I was in another room and the procedure was complete. I couldn't believe it, as I had built up in my mind all kinds of horrible scenarios.
Rest assured, whatever it takes to relax you and allow you to have a distress-free experience, they will provide it.
I don't know when your appointment is, but whenever you have it, think of me thinking of you.
You will be fine. It's not like you imagine. x
THANKYOU so much! I am absolutely thinking of canceling the whole thing although, as my Husband is still fighting cancer , that would be silly, I know that they spray tour throat, but never knew you could have an injection for sedation. Most people say that....they actually WANT YOU TO SWALLOW THE DARN CAMERA TO see your reflux action and that is why they will not put you. In twilight . You have made my day, where amounts do you live, I would travel to the other side of u.k. To get it done with sedation, ha ha. Thanks again, will keep you posted in May sometime, or at the moment, unless I cancel........aghhhhhhh
You have been told the same as I was, that I would have to literally "swallow" a large tube so that it would go down my throat.
It was utter rubbish. The truth is that they cannot give you a general anaesthetic. If they do, you will stop breathing which is why, when undergoing an operation, the breathing is done for you by a machine under control of the anaesthetist and of course you have a full oxygen mask over your mouth.
If you think of it logically, how can they insert the camera if they cant even access your mouth! :-)
Once the back of your throat is numb, you are unable to swallow. They simply insert it with gentle pressure and it finds its own way down. I don't wish to sound crude, but to drive the logic of this home, imagine you were having a rectal scan which is the same procedure, just a different problem. You can't swallow that can you! 
I think you get my point.