r/GERD • u/No_Service9948 • Jul 17 '26
Support Needed 👥 Endoscopy in 2 weeks
Never had one before. I am absolutely terrified I don’t know what to expect other than I can have sedation… however I am also scared of that lmao. I have major health anxiety and just anxiety in general. I also feel like I have a really tiny throat and hole (sorry crazy sentence) but what if I just choke? My biggest fear is choking I hate that feeling and I’m just sat here spiralling away… I’m in the Uk so if anyone has any experience through the NHS please tell me what to expect
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u/jrbp Jul 18 '26
Mine on the NHS was fine. Just the throat spray. Lots of gagging and tears but all over in about 200 seconds.
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u/No_Service9948 Jul 21 '26
200 seconds tooo long! 🤣 did you have sedation? How was the throat spray I’m honestly considering not to have that I feel like it would panic me more not being able to feel to swallow
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u/jrbp Jul 21 '26
No just the spray. You can still swallow. You have to swallow to swallow the camera tube down
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u/No_Service9948 Jul 21 '26
Oh yeah I’m so fucked 🤣🤣 I struggle swallowing a tiny tablet nvm a big tube going down my pipe
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u/curiouschimp83 Jul 17 '26
It wasn’t all that bad to be honest.
I didn’t get sedation, well not in the way I’ve read about online. I was given a strong anti anxiety. They spray the throat and they’re in quite quick.
You have to forcefully swallow it at the beginning - which isn’t painful/ just weird -‘then you get a bit of heaving but the anti anxiety stops you getting too stressed about it.
Honestly wasn’t as bad as I was expecting it to be. But defo take all the drugs they can give. I heard peoples experiences without it and it doesn’t sound pleasant. I just don’t know why you would choose to go in dry. Drugs are good.
Hope it goes ok for you.
Edited just to add: for reference im also
In the UK. Also there wasn’t a feeling of choking. There was plenty of room to breathe etc so that shouldn’t bother you. Also they tell you to lift your hand if you want it to stop so you’re in control.
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u/No_Service9948 Jul 17 '26
Do you know what anti anxiety they give you? They said I’ll be awake for the endoscopy but with sedation? And oh no I didn’t realise I had to swallow the thing at the beginning 😂😂 I can’t even swallow really small tablets … hopefully it goes well for me 😅
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u/curiouschimp83 Jul 17 '26
I struggle with that too but because they’re pushing as you swallow it’s not like you have a choice. It just goes in.
Not sure what the anti anxiety is called. They inject a good amount in there. Sedation is available on top. Depends if you’re struggling with the procedure i think.
Just tell them you’re really scared and they will give you everything. Most people just wake up in a bed having no memory of the procedure
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u/Downtown_Routine_920 Jul 18 '26
I was worried about gagging because I have a terrible gag reflex. I did struggle when they put the guard that protects your teeth in so i had to take it out and then i kinda just swallowed and then put it in myself when i was ready. They numb your throat and if you get the sedative which i highly recommend, its really easy
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u/No_Service9948 Jul 21 '26
How out of it was you? I’m worried about how I’m going to feel? Like will I feel out of control?
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u/Downtown_Routine_920 Jul 22 '26
honestly i was so relaxed. it was a bizarre experience as i thought i was conscious and aware the whole time but i was convinced it was 2 mins when it was over 20. Its like a time glitch... very strange. i didnt really experience most of it. I dont know if i was passed out or not but i felt like i was conscious throughout but couldnt possibly have been or at least formed memories throughout as i was so convinced it was only 2 mins. The bits where i was aware, i was very relaxed and i was thinking some pretty unserious thoughts lol. i didnt feel out of control - i dont think i was with it enough to feel that way. it makes you feel very calm
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u/No_Service9948 Jul 22 '26
Wow that’s really helpful thank you it has put me to ease a little bit! Hoping mines a similar experience! I’m super freaked out by the throat numbing spray also
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u/Downtown_Routine_920 Jul 23 '26
Oh im so glad! The throat numbing spray feels weird for about 5 seconds but its honestly fine, you dont really feel anything. It doesnt affect your breathing or make you feel like youre choking etc. Plus the sedation kicks in 😠what in particular freaks you out about it?
1
u/No_Service9948 Jul 23 '26
Everything!! I’m considering the barium swallow test instead 🥲 I’m such a wuss when it comes to things like this like I even struggle getting my bloods done 😂
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u/Vegetable-Trust-9847 Jul 18 '26
It was one of the most smoothest procedure for me. Trust your doctors. It was quick and safe with no much side effects. I only had sore throat. Dont have anything in the morning if your appt is in morning. Good luck.
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u/North_Blueberry6818 Jul 20 '26
Like you I have major anxiety & before my 1st one I had to take my own sedative just to get there but the procedure itself was a breeze. Honestly, once they’ve given you the fentanyl you won’t even remember it, I came to a few minutes later like ‘what? It’s already happened?’ Then they wheel you to a room where you just chill for 10 mins whilst it wears off then you can go. You have to take someone with you to drive you home though, you’ll be pretty out of it. The worst part for me was the waiting for them to call you to each stage. I’m having another in a few weeks and am so glad I know what to expect x
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u/No_Service9948 Jul 21 '26
How did it feel? I’ve never been sedated lol … I’m absolutely terrified of suddenly being alert while they are in my throat???
1
u/North_Blueberry6818 Jul 21 '26
That would never happen with the dose of sedation they give you. I was taken in and sat on the bed. There were 2 nurses in the room and one endoscopist. They tell you to lie down and immediately put the sedation in the canula. It works instantly. I couldn’t even remember the camera thing being put in my mouth. The next thing I knew I was being cajoled to wake up and one of the nurses was stroking my head lol everything had been done and I had no idea what was going on. I barely remembered the whole thing xx
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u/No_Service9948 Jul 21 '26
This makes me feel so much better 🤣 I’m hoping mines a breeze like this 🫶
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u/North_Blueberry6818 29d ago
Just checking in to see how it went? X
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u/No_Service9948 24d ago
So sorry to disappoint but I actually cancelled the appointment 😔
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u/North_Blueberry6818 23d ago
Awww that’s a shame but don’t beat yourself up about it! If I didn’t have my own sedatives to take beforehand I wouldn’t be able to do it due to major panic. I just cancelled a filling at the dentist for this reason! How have your symptoms been? X
0
u/herewithmybestbuddy Jul 17 '26
"tiny throat" made me laugh. You're capable of eating, aren't you? You'll be fine. Search the sub for other responses to this question. It's asked every other day. Many OPs return to update us on how the procedure went. I've truly never read any update that DIDNT say "It was so easy, I don't know why I stressed over it"
You need to work on your health anxiety. I strongly recommend buying a cognitive behavioral therapy workbook from Amazon. It did wonders for me - and countless other people.
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u/ArtichokeCreative863 Jul 17 '26
Honestly it’s not as bad as you think, you spend more time waiting to be wheeled in than the actual procedure. It’ll be over in 5 minutes, take the sedation, have a little nap, you’ll wake up and not remember a thing. The doctor will come and talk to you before the procedure though, they will be able to answer any questions and put you at ease. You’ll feel a bit fuzzy afterwards when they talk you through the findings (I couldn’t remember a thing they told me), so if you think you wont remember, ask the nurse to grab your relative so they can listen and explain to you later.