Hello. This week I had my third endoscopy in 5 months. Like lots of people visiting this forum, I was very nervous before all three of them but I hope my post gives people some comfort. 

Firstly, I had sedation every time but I was awake and conscious throughout all three procedures. The first procedure was just a look with the camera to see what was going on. This took about 5 minutes. The second procedure was esophageal dilation (stretching the throat with a balloon) and took about 20 minutes. The third procedure was more esophageal dilation and took about 15 minutes. Here is my experience:

I found the procedures uncomfortable but not really painful (a small amount of pain during the balloon inflation). Yes I gagged throughout all three procedures but not the whole time. I gagged mainly when the consultant was moving the endoscope up and down my esophagus but not so much when it was still. The throat numbing spray you take beforehand is not so bad - it has kind of a banana flavour. It numbs your gag reflex so you FEEL like you can't swallow but YOU CAN. I could breath fine throughout all three procedures. The nurses around me we brilliantly comforting. I did not find any of the procedures traumatic at any point - uncomfortable and willing them to end - yes, traumatic - no.

Here's what helped me (and may help you):

Know exactly what to expect. The fear of the unknown is often our biggest fear. Read up on how the procedure is performed. Focus on the details - know that you will most probably lie on your left side, know that you will have throat spray, know that you will hold a mouth guard in your mouth (so that you don't bite the endoscope - it's an amazing - and expensive - piece of medical kit!) I found knowing what to expect helped me enormously. If you can visualise how the procedure will go in your mind BEFORE the day, it wont come as such a shock to you ON the day and the fear of the unknown is taken away.

Know that thousands of endoscopies are performed every day all over the world. An endoscopy is a very common and low risk procedure.

Focus on your breathing. If you do nothing else, do this. Long breaths in and long breaths out. This will help calm your body and mind and reduce any tension. If you are worried or anxious, your breathing will become quicker and shallower, and your body will become tighter - which won't help. You are in control of your breathing - keep it steady - this will really help.

Keep the big picture in mind. Focus on the positive benefits you will likely get from the endoscopy. I put this procedure off for 10years+ because of my fear of it but now I would do it once a month if I had to because of the huge benefits it has bought me. It was not that bad.

Stay positive. It is easy to become anxious and worried and focus on what could go wrong. All this does is increase your anxiety further, adds tension to your body and speeds up your breathing. Instead of letting negative thoughts take over, control them with positive thoughts. Tell yourself you will be okay, you will get through it, it is going to help you, you are strong.

Know that over the many years of your life you'll look back at this procedure as a fleeting moment. Honestly, on the day, you'll be having a post-procedure cup of tea and chatting with the nurses before you know it.

Distract your mind. During the procedure, take your mind off what's happening by focusing on a tough mental challenege such as the 17x table. This technique is recommended for people who feel panicky about anything because it quietens the emotional (panic-inducing) part of the brain and engages the logical (panic-reducing) part of the brain.

Finally book something in to look forward to after the procedure. Whether it's going to the cinema, going shopping with friends or eating chocolate! Just have something exciting to look forward to.

I hope this helps someone, somewhere.

Hello. This week I had my third endoscopy in 5 months. Like lots of people visiting this forum, I was very nervous before all three of them but I hope my post gives people some comfort. 

Firstly, I had sedation every time but I was awake and conscious throughout all three procedures. The first procedure was just a look with the camera to see what was going on. This took about 5 minutes. The second procedure was esophageal dilation (stretching the throat with a balloon) and took about 20 minutes. The third procedure was more esophageal dilation and took about 15 minutes. Here is my experience:

I found the procedures uncomfortable but not really painful (a small amount of pain during the balloon inflation). Yes I gagged throughout all three procedures but not the whole time. I gagged mainly when the consultant was moving the endoscope up and down my esophagus but not so much when it was still. The throat numbing spray you take beforehand is not so bad - it has kind of a banana flavour. It numbs your gag reflex so you FEEL like you can't swallow but YOU CAN. I could breath fine throughout all three procedures. The nurses around me we brilliantly comforting. I did not find any of the procedures traumatic at any point - uncomfortable and willing them to end - yes, traumatic - no.

Here's what helped me (and may help you):

Know exactly what to expect. The fear of the unknown is often our biggest fear. Read up on how the procedure is performed. Focus on the details - know that you will most probably lie on your left side, know that you will have throat spray, know that you will hold a mouth guard in your mouth (so that you don't bite the endoscope - it's an amazing - and expensive - piece of medical kit!) I found knowing what to expect helped me enormously. If you can visualise how the procedure will go in your mind BEFORE the day, it wont come as such a shock to you ON the day and the fear of the unknown is taken away.

Know that thousands of endoscopies are performed every day all over the world. An endoscopy is a very common and low risk procedure.

Focus on your breathing. If you do nothing else, do this. Long breaths in and long breaths out. This will help calm your body and mind and reduce any tension. If you are worried or anxious, your breathing will become quicker and shallower, and your body will become tighter - which won't help. You are in control of your breathing - keep it steady - this will really help.

Keep the big picture in mind. Focus on the positive benefits you will likely get from the endoscopy. I put this procedure off for 10years+ because of my fear of it but now I would do it once a month if I had to because of the huge benefits it has bought me. It was not that bad.

Stay positive. It is easy to become anxious and worried and focus on what could go wrong. All this does is increase your anxiety further, adds tension to your body and speeds up your breathing. Instead of letting negative thoughts take over, control them with positive thoughts. Tell yourself you will be okay, you will get through it, it is going to help you, you are strong.

Know that over the many years of your life you'll look back at this procedure as a fleeting moment. Honestly, on the day, you'll be having a post-procedure cup of tea and chatting with the nurses before you know it.

Distract your mind. During the procedure, take your mind off what's happening by focusing on a tough mental challenege such as the 17x table. This technique is recommended for people who feel panicky about anything because it quietens the emotional (panic-inducing) part of the brain and engages the logical (panic-reducing) part of the brain.

Finally book something in to look forward to after the procedure. Whether it's going to the cinema, going shopping with friends or eating chocolate! Just have something exciting to look forward to.

I hope this helps someone, somewhere.