Gastroscopy (Endoscopy) Anyone had one?

I ve had 12 ?

he should request full sedation, not just a tranquiliser and a throat spray, if youre awake during it its bloody grim i can tell you. he wants the one where he s knocked out totally. if he has that, he ll be walked into the theatre, lie on the table, a canular (little tap with needle) will be put in his arm (it doesnt hurt) and then the next he ll know he ll be outside the theatre feeling a bit groggy but awake. he ll then have to stick around until he s had something to eat and a chat with the consultant (probably)

the procedure itself is very quick, less than 10 mins. but to reiterate, he should ask to be knocked out, not just a tranq.

btw, if its nhs, he may not be given the choice to be knocked out as it needs an aneasthetist.

I've had one done and I was fully knocked out. I refused to have it done any other way due to my vomiting phobia, I find it bad enough at the dentist trying not to gag.

I had both ends done during the same procedure - I hope they did the mouth end first or changed tubes ? I woke up they gave me a cup of tea and some sandwiches and I was sent on my way. I had to have someone drive me home, but I wasn't zombie like, just a bit drowsy. That was it really, no other problems afterwards. I had mine did privately so I'm not sure if the NHS run to tea and sandwiches.

Both my friend and my H had one doen without the sedation and I don't think it pleasant, but the procedure doesn't last long.

I can reiterate what Nick said, it's bloody nasty if you try and do it without the drugs (for some reason I did when I had mine, because I wanted to be able to drive home and not be forced to stay in the department for four hours!).

NHS places will offer you a sedative (like Valium) into your vein and a local anaesthetic throat spray - which tastes disgusting. Most people go to sleep with the sedative and it also has amnesic effects so he shouldn't remember it. If you are awake it feels pretty much like having a big tube pushed down your throat, funnily enough. They normally keep you for 4 hours if you've had sedation. Before he goes in a doctor will come and explain the procedure, side effects, put in the cannula (drip) and get him to sign a consent form.

It takes about 15 mins depending on whether they find anything abnormal. Most common side effects are feeling a bit sick and bloated (air gets pumped in to blow up the stomach to get a good view). He'll notice if he has bleeding as he'll be vomiting blood. Side effects are rare, endoscopies are one of the most common investigations done these days.

I agree with everyone else, have the sedation and the throat spray. My mum has had tons of them and one time they pursuaded her to have just the throat spray she hated it. She was gagging the whole time.

It's funny as the procedure doesn't take long, but with all the waiting beforehand (at our hospital it can be 2 or 3 hours) then the recovery it can be a whole day!

hope it all goes well xx

Just wanted to offer support. My mum had this about a month ago and I was really nervous for her and felt sick on the day, much more bothered than she was!

She had just the sedation I think, she said she was aware of it going in but it didn't hurt and she wasn't aware of anything after that. I think she was pretty knocked out by the sedation tbh, just to say that don't worry if they won't give him the full aneasthetic.

It is a really common procedure and will be over before you know it x

Thank you so much for your replies - it's is good to know its all been done before many many times (Nick - 12 times omg!)

I will certainly tell him not to be a hero and ask for all the drugs possible.

Sorry so many of you have had to go through this! You have certainly made me feel like im a bit more forewarned.

Thanks again x

I must be in the minority but I've never been knocked out and I've had 3 and don't find it a problem. It's a bit of an odd feeling when you can feel the camera poking round your tummy but other than that it's been fine.

After an hour or so the numbness wears off and I feel back to normal.

I'm probably just odd!