An Endoscopy Needed-Anyone Had One Before?

[gordiescotland1]

Hi there for the last 3 weeks Ive been having back and chest pain when swallowing even water went to GP who wants me to have an endoscopy and has put me on for an urgent referral. I had a colonoscopy 1 year ago and it was not too bad at all I had sedation and not remembered a thing. I dont like the feeling of swallowing a camera but I know I need it done. Has anyone had one before my GP told me that when I have the appointment to insist on sedation and refuse the throat spray because of my anxiety. Anyone had one and is it ok. He is not too worried about cancer of the oesophagus he thinks I may have a narrowing/a stricture and they can widen when I am asleep

[ChillDoubt]

Try not to worry too much. Yes, you can ask for sedation and it is usually given anyway as a general rule (though the odd patient does 'tough it out' with just throat spray. Why, I have no idea!).
Depending on the hospital and surgeon involved, they may decide on a general anaesthetic if they feel you need dilatation (re-widening) during the procedure.
I'm sure you'll be fine. Best of luck.

[choux]

I had one without the sedation and I was absolutely fine, gordie. It is a quick method of investigation so you should soon be in recovery to a cuppa and a sandwich. Don't worry about it.

[choux]

For a start, you can drive yourself to and from the hospital and you don't need a companion.

[Sir Alec]

Definitely have sedation. It wasn't offered to me and the experience was very nasty to say the least!

[Ann]

Please insist on the sedation, I had my first without any (they were doing a trial without sedation that day and announced it to us poor patients in the waiting room) and it was a really horrible experience. The second was fine when they got the sedation right, I didn't remember a thing.

[douglas9401]

Take the sedation Gordie, good drugs and no hangover when it's all done.
Don't worry about swallowing the camera either, the staff are doing it all day and know how to get it over.
It'll all be done before you know it.
Good luck with the outcome.

[mrs_overall]

I had one a few weeks ago. I was offered the throat spray and sedation and gratefully accepted.
I don't remember a thing after the sedation was injected

[mrs_overall]

Bad grammar there , I should have said I didn't remember a thing after the sedative was injected