Should i have sedation for endoscopy

Is there a way to avoid this? Answer: The gag reflex, known medically as the pharyngeal reflex, is a contraction of the back of the throat that occurs when certain areas of the inside of the mouth are touched, including the roof of the mouth, back of the tongue or throat, and the area around the tonsils.

Your question is a common one, especially from individuals who gag easily and have what is considered a hypersensitive gag reflex. This sensitivity can lead to significant difficulties with swallowing pills, and tolerating dental work and endoscopic examinations. Having a hypersensitive gag reflex is generally a conditioned response, meaning it happens after a previous problematic experience. However, the discomfort related to gagging during an endoscopic procedure can be avoided, particularly by numbing the back of the throat and using sedatives.

Most uncomfortable. Fortunately it was over in minutes and as soon as the tube was removed I was ok. I probably did have sedation because I was in the recovery ward afterwards and supposed to stay for at least an hour. However, as soon as I told them my lift was on the way to the ward, they let me go straight away.

For such tests I'd always have sedation and I'd always prefer to have somebody to accompany me. I'm lucky that there's always someone there for me. Hi I had two last year. The first was without sedation which although not painful I found it quite frightening.

The second one just six weeks later I was given a sedation. You will be left to recover in a sideward for minutes. In fact I found this procedure very interesting and watched the whole thing on the screen as it was done.

I had the most traumatic experience ever with my gastroscopy! I got quite upset instantly after as I wanted to find out what was wrong with me now I have to wait again and I didn't have a clue it was going to be that bad, the doc said I could go under general anesthetic next time but I'm going for a throat xray first to see if that shows up anything, hopefully all is ok though.

Would not recommend this to anybody but if it needs doing it needs doing. Hi, sorry to hear about your experience, did you opt for sedation.?

I also had sedation with a colonoscopy and woke up screaming for them to stop, three times this happened, when I did wake up, I was violently sick, think they must have kept giving me more of something to knock me out.

My hand was completely black with bruising, they must have been holding me down. Not a nice experience at all so I can understand your concern. Hi, i consider myself pretty brave so decided go without sedation as i just wanted 2 get home quickly. It was horrific! It tricks ur brain in2 thinking u cant breathe n ev tho this was explained 2 me n i thought i cud overcome it i went in2 a blind panic. Once in the procedure room, you will be asked to lie on your left side on the exam table.

Next, a mouth guard will be placed in your mouth so that the endoscope will not damage your teeth. At this point, if you are receiving sedation, you will start to be sleepy and will most likely remain asleep throughout the procedure, which generally takes about 10 to 20 minutes. Because of the sedation medication, patients are generally unaware of what is going on and do not remember anything when they wake up.

Once you are sedated, the doctor will guide the flexible gastroscope, which is about the same thickness as a finger, through the esophagus, into the stomach, and then into the duodenum. There is a light and lens on the end of the tube that sends images back to a TV monitor, so the doctor can visualize the tissue of your GI tract.

During this time, any additional procedures that are needed, such as removing a foreign object, taking a biopsy, or dilating a narrow portion of the esophagus, will be done. These procedures are not painful. The most discomfort you may experience during or after the procedure is usually bloating that results from air that is pushed into the GI tract to expand areas for better visualization or for passing of the tube.

Once everything is completed, the tube will be removed and you will be allowed to wake up from the sedation.

After the endoscopy, you will be given time to fully wake up. Once alert enough, you will be given something light to eat and drink. You might still feel a little fuzzy and have difficulty concentrating. This is just residual effect from the sedation that will wear off. However, most doctors will require that you have someone drive you home, because the medications you have been given can decrease your reflexes until they are completely cleared from your system.

You will also be asked to not return to work, not use heavy machinery, and not make any major decisions for the rest of the day. You should not feel any pain after an endoscopy.

The worst discomfort you might feel is bloating, and a mild sore throat. For example, your reaction time and deep thinking may be slower for a few hours. Thus, you are required to have a friend or relative take you home and are advised not to go to work or make important decisions until the day after your endoscopy. John J. Updated November Digestive Health Topics A-Z. Basics Print. Overview What is sedation? Why do I need it for my endoscopy? Is sedation safe? They include: Kidney disease yes no Heart disease yes no Lung disease yes no Nervous system disease, including stroke yes no Liver disease yes no High Blood Pressure yes no Stomach emptying problems yes no Have you or your family members had problems with anesthesia for operations surgery or endoscopic procedures in the past?

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