Throat spray or Sedation for Endoscopy...??????? (first time up that end!!)

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KimboHiggs

KimboHiggs

Joined
Jul 22, 2015
Messages
92
Hi guys,
So I've been booked in for an endoscopy on the 16th I've never had one before! I've had 2 colonoscopies previously.
They have said I get to choose on the day whether I want Throat spray or Sedation... but I dont know.... any advice?!?! X
 
Based on my experience, I would go with sedation. Of all the procedures I have had done, this one freaks me out the most. I have a big gag reflex. The sedation for me has always been very effective and I have no memory of it. Apparently even when I am under I still gag repeatedly. Can't handle NG tubes either. My recollection is that they still numbed my throat anyways with the spray.

Decidedly in favour of sedation.
 
I had 3 in 2012. Boke boke boke. I had the spray and the sedation. I too have a terrible gag reflex, can hardly brush my teeth without gagging. Take the sedation if you have to choose.
 
Both! I had one done in my teens and I got the spray and sedation.
 
Throat spray I found it to be a doddle over and done in 10 minutes and your on your way home,no bother to drive if don,t have sedation.
I found it to be a bizarre experience you put that much camera in and I can breathe no bother!
 
I had sedation for mine. I would do it again just because it was so easy. Slight sore throat but no recollection of gagging ( I'm sure I did, I have a horrible gag reflex. I even have trouble going to the dentist)
 
I found it very easy. I had both. Given one option, I'd go for sedation.
 
Think of sedation like the best nap ever
Loved it
Ds has had 6 scopes upper/lower all with light sedation
No issues
 
Had the sedation the first time round, then last year did it without. It's pretty unpleasant having the tube down your throat, but I only panicked the once and it's over quite quickly. The other end was a doddle after that (without sedation too).

Depends how brave you're feeling.
 
Nothing at all to worry about. It's easier than a colonoscopy because there's no prep involved. All you have to do really is not eat or drink anything after midnight (usually but it's about 8 hours before your test, just read the instructions they give you). I also look at sedation as nap time.

My husband has had this done without any sedation (he wasn't given the option to chose) and from what it sounds like according to him, they might not have used enough throat spray because he was gagging the entire time. I've always had it done with sedation but some people like to be able to look at the screen and opt to tough it out. People have done this for colonoscopies on the forum too but I've seen multiple people say that the doctor couldn't finish the test because it was too painful for them to continue so that's why sedation is used, not only to make you comfortable but to have the test completed.
 
I would go for the sedation. I am one who doesn't want to remember this procedure, as I had one that was painful years ago.
 
I didn't have sedation and from reading these replies, wish I had opted to have it done. However, it was my first hospital procedure so I think that also made it worse for me. The nurses were very much anti-sedation in the endoscopy ward I went to, and I heard them trying to persuade people not to take it.
 
I had a colonoscopy and an endoscopy on the same day so I had sedation. I think I had throat spray too because when I woke up my throat didn't feel sore at all. I wasn't even awake for the swallowing part of getting the scope in. They did it all to make me as comfortable as possible so I would recommend both. Why not? Good luck!
 
I did have the throat spray, but my throat was still very sore for a week afterwards.

If you have the sedation it then wipes you out for the entire next day. I'd prefer to reduce the impact these things have; my recent colonoscopy I only took the one day off work and was able to walk home by myself. Once I'd had something to eat I was fine and could get on with life. The time I had sedation I think I slept for about 14 hours straight, and still felt groggy the day after.

Here they seem to assume you want the sedation and I've had to convince them not to.
 
I would go for sedation also - I had one done years ago and as I recall it was done with a mild sedative so I was awake, but relaxed.
 
I have had several endoscopies in the last 12 years. I am always sedated and never remember anything. It is really a very simple test, one of the easiest I have ever had to go through really.
 
Definitely go for sedation, I had just the spray and it was horrendous. I was gagging all the time and also you can see how much more of the tube they have to push down your throat!
 
The camera tube is bizarre I wondered why it didn't,t pop out the rear exit!the main thing here is to do it whatever way your comfortable with.
 
Axelfl3333 said:
The camera tube is bizarre I wondered why it didn't,t pop out the rear exit!the main thing here is to do it whatever way your comfortable with.
Click to expand...

It would have to get through all seven metres of small bowel first.

Why does everyone here call a gastroscopy an endoscopy? Because an endoscopy is anything where they use a camera to look inside you. A colonoscopy is a type of endoscopy done by the endoscopy department.
 
Well, a gastroscopy is one type of endoscopy isn't it, so it's fair enough that people refer to it as an endoscopy isn't it? Not really important in the whole scheme of things is it...
All endoscopies are done in the endoscopy department at my hospital...colonoscopies, sigmoidoscopies, gastroscopies, etc.
Anyhow, best of luck on Wednesday Kimbo, it's the one I'd least look forward to myself, and brave as I am I'd have maximum sedation, throat spray, and GIN..lots of it!
In our family, we refer to any 'scope' which goes inside with a camera as a shuftyscope, because it's having a shufty at what's going on ;)
Bunty x
 
Bunty said:
Well, a gastroscopy is one type of endoscopy isn't it, so it's fair enough that people refer to it as an endoscopy isn't it? Not really important in the whole scheme of things is it...
All endoscopies are done in the endoscopy department at my hospital...colonoscopies, sigmoidoscopies, gastroscopies, etc.
Anyhow, best of luck on Wednesday Kimbo, it's the one I'd least look forward to myself, and brave as I am I'd have maximum sedation, throat spray, and GIN..lots of it!
In our family, we refer to any 'scope' which goes inside with a camera as a shuftyscope, because it's having a shufty at what's going on ;)
Bunty x
Click to expand...

Hey Bunty, nice to hear from you again :)
I agree, however it is referred to is least important in grand scheme of things
Only a couple days to go Im thinking stay up all night the night before too so im just too tired to care haha really dont want to go :( hope all is well with you x
 
Yes, good luck for tomorrow Kimbo, it'll be over before you know it.
When I had my first ever general anaesthetic, I decided I wanted to think about something really nice as I drifted off to sleep instead of being worried. So we went up Snowdon in the little train. It was a glorious sunny, cold day, the views were fantastic and I sat there soaking it all up as we chugged up the mountain.
And honestly it worked, I really focussed on that lovely view and it really, really helped.
Maybe there's a lovely thing or day that you've had that you can think about and concentrate on if things get a bit difficult? Easier said than done I know, but we're all here rooting for you Kimbo :)
Bunty x
 
Bunty that sounds perfect! Me and the boyfriend want to go to snowdon!
I just think of my boyf and I'm all smiles... even after 7 years!
So it is the night before and my tummys going crazy thinking about it!! I'll be fine I know but I still get very nervous before hand x
 
I did a little bit not bad enough to remember, I've had 2 now and I felt it was more because the camera going down rather than being sore, nothing to worry about
 
I don't get a sore throat and have had about 30 gastroscopies! The first one I had only throat spray, the rest I had sedation, though mostly because I was also having a nasojejunal tube putting down/replacing as well.
 

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