Please do not be afraid of the endoscopy procedure.

I was referred as an urgent referral following repeated abdominal pain for an endoscopy. I was very worried about the procedure after talking to a couple of colleagues who had the procedure. Their experience of an endoscopy worried me, that I started to Google all the experiences people had about the procedure. BIG mistake...dont.

Can I reassure you that you will only experience mild discomfort and most of that soon wears off within a couple of hours. The discomfort is mainly a sore throat.

The procedure is NOT painful. I recommend when you go for the procedure have the conscious sedation and the lignocain throat spray. Do not let the doctor or nurse try to dissuade you from the sedation. If you are worried about the procedure....take it, it's your body.

I did not experience any gagging, or issues with breathing. It really isn't as bad as you are told or imagine....honestly. All my days of worry and stress before the procedure were totally unwarranted.