Upper GI Endoscopy - Sedation or Throat Spray?

[GemmaH]

I will soon be going for an upper GI endoscopy (camera down the throat) which is going to be a challenge for me - I can barely swallow tablets!

I have been given the option of a light sedative (still awake but more relaxed) or a numbing throat spray - I asked for both but that is not allowed!

I really don't know which to go for and my GI nurse said she couldn't tell me which was better as I have to make the decision myself. I worry if I don't have the sedative I will panic and will be able to feel the whole procedure and be able to feel the biopsies being done but if I don't have the spray I will feel it in my throat and gag or be sick.

If I have the spray I wont have to have a needle in, which I have fears of, so that would be good, plus I wont be so zonked out. I had the sedation for my recent colonoscopy and it knocked me really hard and I pretty much did nothing but sleep for 48 hours.

Also apparently if I have the sedation and grab the scope as I am unconformable they cannot get medical permission from me to continue because of the sedative, with the throat spray they can continue if I tell them to.

So what I am really asking is which do I choose? Had anyone had one and the other - which was better?

 

[littlemissh]

Who said both weren't allowed?? You can have both- I have had a squillion upper endoscopies and the first time I asked for only throat spray…and for every one after I have had both. If I had to choose between them it would be sedation every time. Most uk units use midazolam for upper GI scopes, which is less sedating than the med they use for colonoscopies.

 

[ronroush7]

Personally, I would ask for sedation.

 

[GemmaH]

GI Nurse said I couldn't have both. I would like to have both as that would be preferable.

 

[Plittler]

It's hard for me to comment as I haven't experienced this before but if the sedative knocked you out so much last time then maybe that's the one to choose.x

 

[MissT]

I had an endoscopy and was very undecided if I should have sedation or not but after my partner telling me to "man up" lol and the nurse telling me the procedure only takes roughly 10 minutes so the sedation won't even fully kick in till the procedure is done, I decided to do it without. Clearly it was not very nice but it wasn't painful, it was uncomfortable and I was gagging a lot and did have a slight panic that I couldn't breathe but the nurse soon calmed me down and made me realise I could breath. The procedure was over really quickly and I could head home pretty much straight away x

 

[JaimeM]

I've never even had the choice. I get sedation for every colonoscopy/scope

 

[Christi]

I were not offered sedation how helpfull that could be. I only had the throat spray but luckly it were over quikly

 

[shamrock15]

I have had both on all of mine. I have a huge gag reflex and absolutely cannot do these without sedation. If I had to choose I would take sedation.

 

[DEmberton]

First time many years ago I said not to have the sedation and then chickened out at the last minute. Then a couple of years ago I did "man up" and did it without (and the colonoscopy too). It's not exactly fun, but I only panicked the once and it doesn't last all that long.

You don't have to swallow the scope ;-) In fact you can't swallow; that's the horrible bit. But you can breathe, and you're not going to be sick (obviously you can't eat before). You just need to try to stay calm and not think about it. I don't remember feeling the biopsies.

The sedation knocks you out so much; I went home and slept for about 18 hours. I'd say if you can get through it without it's much better, has much less impact on your life and as you're awake you'll be able to talk to the doctors and nurses and understand. But I'm sure most would go for the sedative.

I threw up some blood at home, that wasn't nice. And I had a sore throat for about a week afterwards.

 

[Grumbletum]

This time is the first I've been hospitalised abroad for Crohn's and first time I've had an endoscopy. I was having both and was worried because I'd been throwing up so much. All I remember is them putting oxygen tubes in my nose then next thing I was in the observation room and it was all over.
A little strange but pleasant change from previous experiences.

 

[Lady Organic]

I had it with throat spray and without sedation and it was absolutely the worst experience ever. I HIGHLY recommend sedation.