Endoscopy gone wrong

Hi all. I was hoping to get some opinions on what to do. Following treatment of my second occurrence of stage 3A ovarian cancer, I seem to have developed a problem called gastroparesis. Gastroparesis is a condition where your stomach doesn't digest food properly and it rots causing you to throw up. To confirm the diagnosis I needed to have an endoscopy. 

 

I had had one several years ago with just throat spray and it was horrific. My second endoscopy I had sedation and it went a lot better so this time I requested sedation which they did. The only gave me a very low dose however which didn't do anything. During the test they gave me botox injections to help my stomach with the digestion of food. They said that I need to have it again in 3-4 months. 

The problem I'm having is that my appointment today was horrific and I think the trauma is going to stay. During the procedure I started to vomit violently to the point that it filled my nose and I couldn't breathe. I tried to get the doctor to stop but he wouldn't. Luckily it was only 20 seconds and he took the camera out and I started to gasp. I've had two before and know what the feeling is like and how it is important to keep breathing but because of the vomit I couldn't and I was genuinely terrified. 

It left me hyperventilating and crying with a bp of 178/135 and I continued to vomit. I don't know how I can face it again in a few months time. I don't know if I just got a bad doctor or if it really will be like that everytime.from now on.

I would also like to add that I did fast for 10 hours but because of the condition the food hadn't emptied from my stomach.  

I don't know what to do. 

UPDATE 22/4/2021: Just an update that I have to wait to see if it works in 1 week and then it's a 3-4 month redo 

  • Hello Ackerman93

    I'm sorry to hear about your recent endoscopy. It sounds as if it was a very traumatic experience for you and I can understand why you're concerned about future investigations. 

    Have you been given a nurse specialist that you can contact for advice? If so then I'd suggest giving them a call in the first instance. If you have a follow-up appointment arranged then please do raise your concerns with the Dr that you see.

    If not then you could raise your concerns with your GP and ask for their advice or alternatively you could speak with your hospital PALS department. 

    In the meantime, I hope that the treatment they gave during the procedure helps with the gastroparesis and that things improve for you. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator