Endoscopy (update @ post 12)

I had a phone call from the hospital today, it seems I have my appointment for my endoscopy on Saturday morning. Good job they rang as my letter with the appointment and explaining the procedure had not turned up.
I have got to admit I am terrified. I am not sure whether to opt for sedation, the throat spray or both. I had sedation for my colonoscopy but it didn't work so I am scared it won;t work this time either.
Has anyone here had the procedure? Or is anyone a nurse? Whats the best thing to opt for?

Hi Bev I had an endoscopy some years ago.
There were a lot of other people mostly men waiting to go in too and they had some form of sedation which I refused to have because I needed to drive myself home.

I had a numbing spray on the back of my throat instead and although I wouldn't want to have it done everyday it was not that bad

I think after childbirth every other procedure is a minor inconvenience

I would probably have the numbing spray too.

I think it is more uncomfortable than painful tbh. Did you see Dr M Mosley when he had a camera put down his nose to his stomach without any sedatives? It was live at the Science Museum: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00vrkv9

Hope it goes well whatever you decide.

The first endoscopy I had was when I was in hospital and on an IV drip, so they just put the "sedation" straight in the cannula and did not wait for it to take effect. The only discomfort I felt was being placed in an uncomfortable [for me] position and held down by two nurses so that I did not move. All I felt, apart from a few seconds while the endoscope was inserted, were a few minor "nips" as biopsies were taken.

Needless to say the sedation started working about an hour after I was returned to the ward!

Since then I have never had any sedation or even the numbing throat spray as it literally only takes a second or two for the endoscope to be inserted and as long as you are relaxed you should not feel anything more than a slight tickle in your throat.

No experience of it myself but hubby has had it done and he had the sedation. He was fine except that he talked rubbish for about 2 hours after
He says it was a dodddle, so if he says so, it was

No experience of this Bev but want to send (((hugs))).
X

My friend had this done last week and had a numbing injection, also had a barium meal. She wasn't too bad after the endoscopy but the barium meal made her feel a bit rough. Her eventual diagnosis was diverticulitis.
My OH has an appointment for the same procedure early next month & is on tenterhooks.
Good luck with yours.

I have had 2, each time I was sedated, did not feel a thing...

I had the throat spray no problem at all. Its the nerves pre procedure that makes it you feel worrisome.

Good luck Bev, will be thinking of you tomorrow (((((hugs))))) Try and relax I'm sure it'll make things much better for you whichever route you take.