Gastroscopy anyone had one?

[metalman 21]

There are several videos of the procedure on Youtube if you want to see what it's like.

[sunblock 10]

There are several videos of the procedure on Youtube if you want to see what it's like.

 

Think that might scare me even more ha

 

---------- Post added 16-04-2014 at 13:50 ----------

 

There is no one more nervous than me, I had sleepless nights for a month before I went for mine and even thought of not going with all the horror stories I had been told. I didn't have sedation and afterwards wondered what all the fuss was about, I just did what they asked me to do and didn't have a problem all over in a few minuets and straight home the staff were great. Good luck and dont worry, all over in no time.

 

Im just like you cant sleep because of it i suffer with anxiety anyways but its gone through the roof now . Ive been told a few horror stories and a few that said they didnt even remember it my mums had it done and said she didnt remember it but i shall be the judge of that one i guess. I will defo be having the sedation though.

 

---------- Post added 16-04-2014 at 13:52 ----------

 

This is one test I always flat out vowed I would never ever agree to, having observed some a number of years ago and finding it quite distressing. At the end of last year I was very poorly and pretty much told I had no other option if I wanted treatment.

 

I had always considered the sedative was a tool for the doctor rather than the patient - makes the patients compliant, makes them forget afterwards and makes the doctors job a lot easier. However I can hand on heart say that the entire process changed my mind completely, to the point where I'd willingly do it again if I did need to. I can still remember parts of it now, but most of all remember being wheeled out able to recall the whole thing and didn't feel in the slightest bit distressed by it.

 

I had a reasonable amount of sedation, plus the anaesthetic throat spray but I was out of the hospital within 20 minutes of it finishing. Nausea isn't a side effect of midazolam, and regardless, you can't vomit because you're nil by mouth for at least 6 hours beforehand. The only minor problems I had were some sort of allergic reaction to the latex oxygen sponge they put up my nose (very itchy, lots of sneezing) and a very sore chest where they'd taken biopsies.

 

 

You say makes them forget afterwards do you remember it happening at the time though? yeh im nil by mouth from 11.15 am ive got to be there for 5pm so im guessing they will do it around 6pm. But on the letter it says i can have water till 3.15. How long did the sore chest last for?

[Obelix 11]

[quote=Twiglet;10439511

I had always considered the sedative was a tool for the doctor rather than the patient - makes the patients compliant, makes them forget afterwards and makes the doctors job a lot easier. However I can hand on heart say that the entire process changed my mind completely, to the point where I'd willingly do it again if I did need to. I can still remember parts of it now, but most of all remember being wheeled out able to recall the whole thing and didn't feel in the slightest bit distressed by it..

 

Never had it for a biopsy, etc but I had a sedative for my wisdom teeth which were encased in bone and needed some fairly serious tooling to get them out.

 

Had the sedative and at that point although I remember more or less everything I really couldn't have given a monkeys as to what they did and felt as happy as anything. Would strongly suggest it if it's offered and you are worried at all.

[Nagel 10]

You say makes them forget afterwards do you remember it happening at the time though?

 

Interesting concept of perception. How could you ever know if you 'remember it happening at the time'?

[sunblock 10]

Interesting concept of perception. How could you ever know if you 'remember it happening at the time'?

 

Yes because they said afterwards they didnt say during or at the time...i meant could they feeling or remember anything whilst it was being done or was it only after that they forgot

[Twiglet 10]

Interesting concept of perception. How could you ever know if you 'remember it happening at the time'?

 

What I do remember is being wheeled to recovery, and being surprised that I could remember the whole procedure, when I'd been told I'd have no memory of it. The memory of the procedure itself isn't instantaneously wiped out, it fades over hours, it is a very strange concept and I wouldn't understand it had I not been through it. I do still remember parts of the procedure, and not everybody who has this sedative does experience the amnesia (the sedation doesn't render you unconscious, you're still awake and able to comply with instruction etc.).

 

Sunblock, as I mentioned, the memory fades over time but this really doesn't matter. I was completely reassured by the fact that I could remember it and felt completely comfortable with what had happened. Despite having been absolutely terrified, I had no distress at all with the procedure itself and how it was carried out. Most importantly, it really does only take 2-3 minutes. Do make sure you tell them you're very anxious. I'm sure it will go well

[trackrunner 10]

I had it without sedation and went back to work, I worked at the hospital at the time. I wouldn't do it without sedation again, the doctor couldn't get the tube in because my gag muscles were too strong and I was tense, and you have to keep talking when he has inserted it makes you feel queasy. Go for sedation.

[spilldig 190]

I didn't like the idea of sedation so I didn't have it.

I had no bother with it. As soon as the tube was removed I was back to normal, and it was fascinating to watch on the monitor screen.

[sunblock 10]

What I do remember is being wheeled to recovery, and being surprised that I could remember the whole procedure, when I'd been told I'd have no memory of it. The memory of the procedure itself isn't instantaneously wiped out, it fades over hours, it is a very strange concept and I wouldn't understand it had I not been through it. I do still remember parts of the procedure, and not everybody who has this sedative does experience the amnesia (the sedation doesn't render you unconscious, you're still awake and able to comply with instruction etc.).

 

Sunblock, as I mentioned, the memory fades over time but this really doesn't matter. I was completely reassured by the fact that I could remember it and felt completely comfortable with what had happened. Despite having been absolutely terrified, I had no distress at all with the procedure itself and how it was carried out. Most importantly, it really does only take 2-3 minutes. Do make sure you tell them you're very anxious. I'm sure it will go well

 

Eeek the day is getting nearer i dont mind remembering it as such what i will mind is chocking on it or feeling anything. I shall tell them consultants told me it will take no longer than 10 mins erugh

 

---------- Post added 19-04-2014 at 11:04 ----------

 

I had it without sedation and went back to work, I worked at the hospital at the time. I wouldn't do it without sedation again, the doctor couldn't get the tube in because my gag muscles were too strong and I was tense, and you have to keep talking when he has inserted it makes you feel queasy. Go for sedation.

 

Talk erugh they wont get me talking even when im sedated i hope ha

 

---------- Post added 19-04-2014 at 11:05 ----------

 

I didn't like the idea of sedation so I didn't have it.

I had no bother with it. As soon as the tube was removed I was back to normal, and it was fascinating to watch on the monitor screen.

 

Why didnt you like the idea of the sedation?

[Moonbird 10]

I had one late last year and was really scared.

When it came to it I didn't have the sedation just got on with it, I won't lie and say its nothing but its also not the worst thing, its uncomfortable but not painful and of course its fairly quick, I didn't gag at all because I made myself relax, no pain after no sore throat and believe it or not I came out with myself and the staff all laughing because I told them what I was thinking of while I had it done (the music from little house on the prairie and the little Girl playing in the field of flowers) they probably thought I was a nutter but it gave me focus and helped me to relax!

 

My tips are go with someone who will make you laugh and take your mind off it, and mostly when you're in there just try to shut off from what is happening and relax as much as possible, the staff are very kind and lovely, you will be fine

[spilldig 190]

Eeek the day is getting nearer i dont mind remembering it as such what i will mind is chocking on it or feeling anything. I shall tell them consultants told me it will take no longer than 10 mins erugh

 

---------- Post added 19-04-2014 at 11:04 ----------

 

 

Talk erugh they wont get me talking even when im sedated i hope ha

 

---------- Post added 19-04-2014 at 11:05 ----------

 

 

Why didnt you like the idea of the sedation?

 

Well the hospital said that you don't really need it and advised not to have it if it wasn't necessary.

I didn't ask why, but it turned out they were right, at least for me.

[trackrunner 10]

If you can relax and not need it that's okay. It doesn't take long