Endoscopy Examination Under Sedation

[arjay]

On Monday 27th April,15 at 10:30 AM I am going to have the above examination as I have a large hiatus hernia.
It was tried before without sedation but was discontinued.
I am told that I must expect to be in the outpatients' department for between 2 to 3 hours and that I must have someone with me for 24 hours thereafter.
Has anyone any experience of such an operation?
How quickly did you recover full consciousness?
Was 24 hours care really necessary?
About 2 weeks after the examination the surgeon says he will manipulate the area to open up the hole in the oesophagus but I am not sure whether he will succeed.
I had hoped that the surgeon would have used keyhole surgery to restore the stomach, diaphragm and oesophagus to the original condition.
Your experience of this will be greatly appreciated

[Xeronema]

Hi Arjay. I've not have an operation during and endoscopy before however I have had two routine endoscopy's, one with sedation and one without. After having sedation I was told, like you have been, that there would be someone with me for 24 hours. This is just the hospital covering their backs. Within 10 minutes of the procedure I felt perfectly fine and even though I said that someone was going to be with me, they never did. As far as the being 'unconscious' is concerned, you won't be. You'll be fully conscious during the entire operation. I'm sure Sqad will give you a better detailed explanation (with regards to the amount of sedation they are allowed to administer etc) as soon as he sees this thread.

Try not to worry yourself over it. Once the nozzle and insertion tube is past your oesophagus you won't feel any additional discomfort. I found that once I got my breathing nice and calm and relaxed I didn't feel any discomfort what so ever, not even when they took a biopsy. I'll be honest, I didn't have the sedation the second time around because it just made it awkward afterwards (having to wait 15 minutes and then having to get someone to take me home). Having said all that, I can pretty much say that everyone who comments on this thread will advise you to opt for sedation.

Good luck and like I said, try not to worry too much.

[Xeronema]

// Having said all that, I can pretty much say that everyone who comments on this thread will advise you to opt for sedation. //

I shouldn't really say that because I can only speak for myself and not others. Just ignore that comment.

[Canary42]

Not had endoscopy, but for what it's worth I have had colonoscopy under sedation.

I was given reduced dose of sedation because I was unaccompanied and would return home alone.

Nevertheless I felt hardly anything, certainly no pain or discomfort during the op, and after half an hour in recovery ward, followed by a cup of tea and biscuits I was allowed home (a nurse did accompany me to hospital reception to ensure I did order a taxi, as I arrived by bus and was planning to return home the same way).

[arjay]

Thank you Canary 42 and Xeronema for your helpful answers.

[Sqad]

Good posts by Xeronema and Canary.

\\\\\I had hoped that the surgeon would have used keyhole surgery to restore the stomach, diaphragm and oesophagus to the original condition.\\

I have no idea as to the nature or size of your hiatus hernia, bit any surgical procedure is likely to be keyhole.
There is an exception to this as if a stricture (narrowing) has formed at the site of the hernia, then this will be dilated (opened up) by an endoscopic approach.

[arjay]

Thank you sqad. Does this mean that no further action will be necessary after the endoscopy and that I shall be able to eat solid foods as previously without further intervention by my surgeon?

[Sqad]

arjay.........LOL.......I cannot be that positive as it all depends upon the surgeon's findings at endoscopy.

[rosiew]

Hi arjay
Having an Endoscopy without sedation is very brave so sedation will be a breeze compared to not having sedation. You will be in the outpatients for a couple of hours so they can make sure there is no adverse reaction/effects. This is normal and all patients have to stay, you will be awake through the procedure but will not know anything about it so when they have finished the Endoscopy you will be fully awake and back to normal. Yes someone will have to escort you home but after eating and drinking you should be fine so don't worry about Monday. Good luck for the future.

[Peter Pedant]

yeah agree with all above

bronchoscopy under sedation - really OK and not as horrific as I thought it was be
and colonoscopy - one with and one without - OK really

yes all the precautions described are necessary.
They will use midaz,
and you should not be alone for 24 h after that
[ and NOT drive,
take any decisions, spend money or anything until it has worn off ! ]

[Canary42]

Seeing Peter's reference to not making any decisions reminded me of when the nurse came to see me after half an hour in the recovery ward and asked if I was ready to go home - I replied "I'm sorry, I can't make any decisions".

I did wonder afterwards how many times she had heard that.

[cassa333]

I have had a couple of these and I ALWAYS have sedation.

Although you can't drive you must have someone with you to take you home. Otherwise it isn't that bad.

I always come out of sedation much better than anethsthetic so for me it is a much better option. apparently you are not asleep but a plus for me is that I have never remembered a second of what has happened so might as well of been asleep

[Bogtrotter]

I've had iv sedation for dental work, & for a procedure on my throat for which I did not want to have a general anaesthetic. You don't remember anything about it, although you are awake enough if they need to ask you anything.

[Bogtrotter]

Sorry - meant to say that I like it because there are no after-effects as with a general, you feel better really quickly.

[jno]

take all the sedation you can get. I tried it without and didn't like it at all.

[Samuraisan]

Take any sedations on offer.

[mrs_overall]

I have had two endoscopies, both with sedation. I remember nothing about either. Take all the sedation they offer!

[Tefler]

I'm adding to this very late in case anybody, like me, is looking for advice at a later date.
I had a gastroscopy yesterday and was expecting it to be as described above. However, I DO remember quite a lot about the event - including the fighting to try to remove the thing from my throat! I was kept in rather longer than expected, too, because my blood pressure had risen so much during the procedure. Goodness only knows what I would have been like had I not opted for sedation!
Now I'm 24 hours after the sedation was given and am still feeling somewhat woozy. I'm not driving today - wouldn't be safe. This could, of course, be psychosomatic, but I'm not prepared to risk it.
My advice, therefore, is to take the sedation and then follow the advice - the experts do know what they are talking about!