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Gastroscopy with sedation

Georgia_C
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Hi everyone, 

I just thought I’d give everyone who is nervous out there a positive review about my gastroscopy experience, as before I went all I did was read horror stories about the whole thing online. 

I was the ultimate nervous patient I watched every YouTube video, read every blog about how awful it is. So I went into the hospital crying my eyes out. Cried at the check in desk, cried in the nurses room while they were doing my paperwork. I even cried when the nurse said they had to put the canula in! 

Everyone was so lovely they let me have my canula put in at the very last moment as I was such a woss about the whole situatuion! 

I waited in a small waiting room for about 45 minutes just scrolling on my phone (all while crying lol) the lovely nurse kept checking on me, he even said he’s going to find me after to check how it went which eased my nerves.

I got called in and instantly cried my eyes out, the poor staff in the room looked at me like I was crazy, but they instantly all came to me to comfort. I was hysterically crying saying I couldn’t do it and the drugs wouldn’t work bla bla bla. They instantly were so lovely. Let me sit on the bed and wrapped me in lovely warm blankets and got me comfy. The nurse put my canula in - this was the worst part promise. she was even stroking my hair and cuddling me lol. The doctor explained the procedure and sprayed the throat spray down my throat, I panicked at this part because you genuinely can’t swallow - there’s no question about it, but when the doctor reminded me yes you can’t swallow but you can breathe can’t you I was fine! (It’s crazy where you’re mind jumps to when your nervous) they got me comfortable and put the mouth guard in. I was really upset at this point really scared, they injected my arm with sedation and instantly my heart slowed down and I was calm. Definitely the weirdest feeling ever- all my panic went. I don’t even remember falling asleep but I did! I woke up to him saying I pulled it out (can’t even remember) and they injected me with more sedation and that’s where my memory has completely gone blank. I woke up getting wheeled out the room buzzing that it was over! 

The nurse came over and told me what happened apparently I put up quite the protest but honestly don’t remember a thing.

i know it’s hard to think it when you’re nervous, but it’s honestly not that bad!! Always go for sedation I felt fabulous all day and slept like a baby!!!

Parents
  • Offline

    Hello Georgia

    I don't know if you are still posting. I am new to the forum. I have to go for this proceedure, just waiting for the appointment. Like you, I am beside myself with fear. I am already crying each time I think about having to have it done. I know I will be just like you when I have to have it done.  Your message is reassuring, thank you. Can you advise of anything else than might help me? My biggest fear is not being able to swallow or breath as I tend to breathe through my mouth a lot.  I struggle with the feeling of not being able to swallow on a daily basis, so I don't know how I will get through this.

     

    So scared!!

    Thank you 

    Polly 

Reply
  • Offline

    Hello Georgia

    I don't know if you are still posting. I am new to the forum. I have to go for this proceedure, just waiting for the appointment. Like you, I am beside myself with fear. I am already crying each time I think about having to have it done. I know I will be just like you when I have to have it done.  Your message is reassuring, thank you. Can you advise of anything else than might help me? My biggest fear is not being able to swallow or breath as I tend to breathe through my mouth a lot.  I struggle with the feeling of not being able to swallow on a daily basis, so I don't know how I will get through this.

     

    So scared!!

    Thank you 

    Polly 

Children
  • Offline in reply to Polly253

    Hi Polly!!

    im still here don’t worry you can ask anything. I found nothing will make you feel better when thinking about the procedure because at the end of the day it’s a camera going down somewhere you don’t want it too! I didn’t sleep for days before was crying all the time like you. The nurses were so sweet I made sure I told them all how nervous I was. I cried leaving my dad (who was my lift home) I cried getting my canula, I cried getting the throat spray. Not because it was bad just because I was being a big baby!! But I’m not over reacting here when they injected the sedation all my fears just went! My heart was racing but as soon as it went in it slowed down and I completely blanked out from there! I left the room laughing, and when I tell you I swear I was the most scared there!!!!! Even treated myself a McDonald’s breakfast on the way home ps don’t eat anything massive after like I did as it made my throat so sore!!!!!

  • Offline in reply to Georgia_C

    Hi Georgia

    Thank you for replying, it means a lot.  I continue to struggle with the fear, but as you say, it is something I dont want to have done. The thing that is really getting at me is I have read about someone who has said despite the sedative, and being half asleep, you can still feel what is happening at the time. My fear is I won't be able to say anything and I will choke. I am sorry if this sounds daft, but all sorts of things are going through my mind. The individual posted that something is included in the sedative which means you forget afterwards.  At my age you would think I could cope with these things, but unfortunately I am just one of those people who can't. I appreciate there is not a lot you can say, but it helps to get my fears out in the open.

    Thank you

    Polly 

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