Hi,
Has anyone had any of these procedures, or if you've had both which would you say was the best? I am due to have a Gastroscopy in a couple of weeks but I am not sure to try and have a nasal one done instead as I am worried about breathing, panicing, gagging etc! I'd rather have more pain then the breakting/gagging issues!
Thank you!
Hi Amanda,
I have had both a nasal one and one down the throat and much preferred the endoscopy one. The spray that they put up your nose was something that I didn't like at all but everyone is different.
When I had my endoscopy I had sedation and can remembering gagging a few times but it's like you are dreaming it. After that I can't remember a thing until I came to in the ward.
What I found unpleasant others might not it's upto you in the end.
Hi Anita,
Thanks for getting back to me. What was the spray up your nose like? Does it hurt at the tube goes through your nose?
Thanks,
Amanda.
Hi Amanda,
I also have had both types.
I am a bit surprised that you seem to have a choice.
It seems to me that the gastric physicians prefer to use the endoscopy via the throat; whilst the ENT specialists usually use the nasal route.
I gain the impression that it is usually standard to have an endoscopy via the throat initially, with a referral for a scope via the nasal route if there are felt to be some symptoms in the larynx/pharynx or nasal passages.
If you already have been offered an appointment does the appointment letter give you someone like a nurse practitioner you can contact to discuss things with? Actually, regardless, phone the endoscopy team and ask if you can opt to have sedation (not ALL units do provide that, some only offering an anaesthetic spray).
If you can have sedation, if you go for an endoscopy via the throat, the endoscopist will see you before the procedure to talk to you; sign the consents etc., Let them know you are nervous about the procedure, especially about gagging, and ask if they can be "generous" with the sedation! I was "out" for both my last two edoscopies before they even put the scope in my mouth, and have no memory until coming round afterwards.
Some units use a sedative together with fentanyl, which is an opiate which adds to the sedation and is also a very effective pain management drug so you feel virtually nothing afterwards if the scope has made the throat a little sore.
Like you, I was VERY nervous when I was referred for a scope by an ENT specialist, as I knew they would do the procedure without sedation. In fact the doctor was brilliant at doing those, and the scope was much narrower than the one they use down the throat. Hardly any discomfort, and no gagging at all.
Where would you be having either procedure? The doctors who do these procedures, and the Unit staff, are very expert, and realise that the patients are quite worried about the procedure. If you find it hard to ask for yourself, do you have a relative, partner or friend who could talk to the endoscopy unit on your behalf to raise your concerns?
Do have the procedure as you will feel relieved to know how things are and endoscopy really is the very best way to see what is going on.
Let us know what you decide and how you get on. Either way should not be a horrendous experience, though the anticipation is pretty horrid!
Best wishes.
I have had an endoscopy twice now and each time via sedation and I knew absolutely nothing about it, no gagging etc and no pain afterwards. So don't worry and no point being brave when they can sedate you. I asked a friend to take me home as I wasn't allowed to drive afterwards.
I have also had tubes put though my nose and it wasn't that pleasant although the nurse was great.
Honest you will be fine. This was the procedure that I feared the most having done and it was ok. After also having a colonoscopy done this is a piece of cake. I wouldn't worry if I have to have it done again.
The spray up the nose isn't very pleasant. it makes your eyes run but the tube down the nose is ok. I was busy watching it on the screen and didn't feel a thing. If you have it done that way do not put ypur head down once they have squirted it up the nose as they had to do it again.
I've had both. Had an endoscope yesterday under sedation and I dint feel a thing. Don't Remeber any of it either just coming too afterwards.
ENT did one down the nose and its unpleasant but bearable and you remember everything.
Hi
I had an endoscopy last week. I just had the spay in my mouth..tasted liked banana covered in whisky! Anyway, it was completely painless. The negative about the procedure is that you may gag a couple of times. The positive is that you can drive home 45 minutes later after you can swallow ok. I had to drive myself to hospital so there really wasn't the choice of a general anaesthetic.
good luck
cheers Sean
No. I've never had neither.
Endoscopy is the way to go- you don't remember a thing (for me anyway) when they do the procedure they go through your mouth not your nose-
I've had to procudre called the Manometry study "swallow study" they have you awake and numb your nose and go down into your stomach.. you have to swallow with water to get it down and it's the worst "I gaged for awhile" the back of my nose is small- the stuff they have you snort down- made me gag too... No fun.. they are talking about having me do the Manomerty again.. I'm not excited; just had the Endoscopy 2/21/15..
Hi Anita,
Thanks for getting back to me. It is more than likely going to be the camera down which I am dreading but will be opting for sedation and I am having it done privately this time so hoping for a better experience that way. I am deading it but looking forward to getting it out of the way at the same time, as I need to get some results to see whats wrong as I am still on a liquid diet and that is getting to me now.
Thanks again.
A.
Hi Tammy,
Thanks for replying. I will definitely be asking for sedation as I am really nervous about it. I have had a few colonoscopyies and that didn't bother me, I am just dreading this but it needs to be done to see what is wrong as I am suffering with bad acid refulx at the moment even though I have been on medication for a while so the need to see what is going on so they can get me sorted out! I dont' like the sound of the Manometry either but if it helps the diagnosis and gets us better then hopefully it will all be worth it, kind of anyway!
Thanks,
A.
When you have had it you will wonder what you got yourself worked up so much about. I had a phobia about this procedure and it was fine. My stomach was a bit unsettled for a few days afterwards but soon settled down. Have some peppermint tea when you get home to help with the trapped wind from the air they pump in.
Hi,
Many thanks for replying. I will definitely be asking for sedation. They ideally want to do a gastrocopy through my mouth so I will just have to try and get on with it. I am just really nervous about it. I will see if they will sedate me before I enter the camera room as that is when my nerves will kick it. Its really hard because I am dreading it but really want it done too as I am sick of being on a liquid only diet now and want to get to the bottom of what is wrong! I will be having my procedure done at a private hospital near my home as I have opted to go private this time so save waiting around and hoping that I will get a better level of care but we will see. I will call the doctors secretary up before I have it done and make sure that I will get proper sedation before I go in as I just need something to take the edge off before I even enter the room! Like you say its the best test to have done in these type of thing and I really want it done its just the though of going through with it. How long did you procedure last? Its good that you were out for yours as I would like that too! I was just thinking if I could have it down my nose instead I would at least have my mouth free to be able to control it all through breating etc, I was worried with the gastroscopy having the mouth guard in and the tube down that it might be harder to breath etc and that is what panics me?
Thanks for your help and advice.
Amanda.
Hi,
Thanks for replying. Thanks for the reassurance that you knew nothing about it, I am going to hope for that too! I will definitely be opting for sedation and lots of it if they will give it! I have got a friend coming with me so that they can take me home later. What was you like for the rest of the day afterwards, did you just go home to rest and feel sleeping maybe?
Thanks,
Amanda.
Thanks Anita. I have had colonoscopies and been fine with them but am dreading this one. Thanks for your help and advice. Amanda x
Hi,
Thanks for replying. That is reassuring and I will be opting for sedation and hoping that I am out for most of it too. Thanks, Amanda.
Hi,
Thanks for replying. I am just dreading it, fearing the gagging and don't want to panic and make it all worse. Was you able to breath easily through the mouth guard and when the tube is down? How long did the procedure last?
Thanks,
Amanda.
Hi Anita,
Yes I hope so, its just the thought of it all! I need to have it done though as I can't carry on the way I am and the only bonus is that I have lost alot of weight.
Thanks for your help.
I will keep in touch.
Amanda.