Endoscopy

[rockyracoon]

I've got to have one, has anyone one on here had one, do they give you a sedative?

[horselady]

My hubby has to have one next week. He had one a couple of years ago and chose not to be sedated. Said it was uncomfortable but he was fine immediately afterwards, not drowsy like he would have been with sedation. He hasn't decided what he will choose this time round.

[Dizmo]

rockyracoon: Colonoscopy? I had one last week.

[Butterbun]

Scroll down rockyracoon, you will see a few more answers there posted recently by other Abers.

[Buenchico]

This might help:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Endoscopy/Pages/How-is-it-perfomed.aspx

[Dizmo]

Sedation and you're pretty much out of it. If you don't want the sedation they advise 'gas and air'. I didn't have either as I had to leave immediately after. If you have sedation they won't let you leave on your own (the usual rigmarole). If you have gas and air you will be asked to stay for about 20-30 minutes afterwards.

[Dizmo]

My procedure lasted for a lot longer than a normal procedure. They have to photograph certain parts of your colon to prove they completely a proper 'search'. Unfortunately they had trouble getting through the 'trap gates' (I can't remember what they actually called them) so I had to roll onto my back and back onto my side a few times. What I will say is that they (because there could be more than 2 people in the room, several in my case) make sure you're comfortable. I never felt embarrassed.

[Dizmo]

Now I look a fool. Endoscopy meaning a Gastroscopy? I've managed to confuse myself. I've had both. If it's down the throat into the stomach then the sedation for me was absolutely useless (this apparently due to my anxiety overruling the sedation). You'll gag a few times but once the camera is down there you won't feel a thing anyway.

[Daffy6543]

Endoscopy isn't always a colonoscopy, there are several different sorts, one that goes down the oesophagus for example.

[anneasquith]

daffy, how is your son ? excuse me rr.

[Dizmo]

Daffy6543: Yeah, I finally twigged that after Buenchico post. I think it's time for me to turn in.

[gordiescotland1]

Ive had both an endoscopy and a colonoscopy and both were absolutely fine the worst bit was the worrying about it before hand and with both I found it far easier than I thought it would be. I was quite anxious and I dont believe I would have been able to do it without the sedation but everyone is different.
The nurses and doctors are excellent and very reassuring if you take the sedation you wont remember much if anything about it and it is a lovely relaxed feeling and wears off quickly.

[anneasquith]

take the sedation,

[Dizmo]

Most people that has a gastroscopy for a second time don't have sedation. I was speaking to the nurse about this and she said that a lot of people don't bother because it doesn't hurt. Even with sedation (don't be under the influence that you are going to be unconscious because you won't be) you will still gag whilst the camera is going 'down'. The doctor/or qualified nurse will cannulate you anyway so if you ask at the last minute for sedation it will be given. I'd only take the sedation route if you really need it.

[Dizmo]

Also you need to take into consideration any medication you've been prescribed. Sedation might not do a great deal yet you will still need someone to come and pick you up from hospital and say that they will look after you for 24 hours.

[MargoTester]

I have. They offer a sedative if you want one and you then have to stay for about an hour or so. I had mine without a sedative, it was slightly uncomfortable but not painful and you could leave more or less straight away. This was a few years ago so things may have changed.

[Dizmo]

MargoTester: Now unfortunately you have to have someone who is willing to look after you for 24 hours. If you have a colonoscopy and just have Gas and Air you can leave after about 30minutes on your own. Gastroscopy's are the same, 24 hours after sedation. I wasn't allowed to leave after having my Gastroscopy until someone came to collect me and say they would be with me for 24 hours.

[tacabar]

Hi! yes they do give you a sedative if you require one,i have personelly had
5or 6 Endoscopys having fully recovered from cancer i have to have one every 12 mths
to make sure everything is o.k.
hope this answers your question
best regard
Tacabar

[fredkins]

I too have had endoscopys for years every two year intervals with and without sedation and I have now opted for the sedation every time.But every one is different.

[rockyracoon]

Thanks all, sorry haven't been back sooner.

I really don't think I could cope without sedation, I gag at the dentist. Don't know why I'm worrying just yet as I'll probably have to wait 10 years for the appointment to come through.

[Greedyfly]

I had one recently, I opted for sedation and I'm glad I did. I'm a firm believer of if you don't have to suffer then don't.

I recently had a couple of nasogastric tubes too and you have that without sedation, much smaller tube and it was very uncomfortable.