Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

News:

Got a story to tell for the magazine? Get in touch with the editor!

media

Author Topic: Have a gastroscopy next week and so anxious. Is it uncomfortable?  (Read 4602 times)

loonarider

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 367

Hey there all,

For many months now I've had issues sleeping on both sides where it feels like my organs are compressing and I become  breathless. I am still taking omeprazole after having to tell my GP that I suspected haitul hernia - of course their first thought was anxiety.

I get so frustrated, its like not ALL physical symptoms are attributed to anxiety. And I feel like I'm getting fobbed off a lot of the time where Ive had to deal with horrible symptoms (this isn't the only one).

So anyway, in desperation since this issue is pretty much ruining my quality of life, I sent a stern message to my GP via the NHS app which thankully was recieved by the only doc I trust at the clinic. She immediately arranged a referal to have a gastroscopy.

I'm glad, but also terrified. I'm already ansxious about the thought of it going own my throat and into my stomach and I have terrible gag reflexes.

Is there an alternative? I just know I'm going to panic and end up leaving not getting it done and not addressing the issue. :(
Logged

Harmony

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 67
Re: Have a gastroscopy next week and so anxious. Is it uncomfortable?
« Reply #1 on: August 12, 2021, 02:24:41 PM »

I sympathise, as I'm having a bronchoscopy next week and am absolutely dreading it! I don't know if you're aware that you can have sedation - which I'm definitely having. Really wish I could be fully knocked out though. I have a strong gag reflex too, and can't see how I'm going to be able to tolerate it, I find almost any procedure difficult to tolerate, and this is one that I've always hoped I'd never need. I know many people say they don't remember much/any of it afterwards, but that doesn't really help me, as apparently you're aware enough to be able to follow instructions. 😬
Logged

shrosphirelass

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1000
Re: Have a gastroscopy next week and so anxious. Is it uncomfortable?
« Reply #2 on: August 12, 2021, 06:43:50 PM »

When my mum had an endoscopy, she told them she had a phobia of having anything over her mouth. I waited in the waiting room and she came back and said they hadn't done it. They had, but due to the sedation she had no awareness of it. Good luck both.
Logged

Ju Ju

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2974
Re: Have a gastroscopy next week and so anxious. Is it uncomfortable?
« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2021, 07:12:39 PM »

I had an endoscopy as well as a colonoscopy. The endoscopy was a doodle, thanks to sedation. You’ll be fine. Good luck!
Logged

DeeMarie

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 84
Re: Have a gastroscopy next week and so anxious. Is it uncomfortable?
« Reply #4 on: August 12, 2021, 08:02:39 PM »

For a few months I’d been suffering from nausea, retching, abdominal pains, horrible taste in mouth and like something was at the back of my throat,  generally feeling rubbish. Had bloods taken and all came back good but was prescribed omeprazole and peptac. It flared up twice and eventually the gp had me in the surgery for an examination and requested a gastroscopy. I had this done a few weeks ago and discovered I have a hiatus hernia  :-\ they have upped my omeprazole so hoping it does the trick. I had the spray with the gastroscopy which wasn’t too bad but was so glad it was over! You’ll be fine good luck.
Logged

loonarider

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 367
Re: Have a gastroscopy next week and so anxious. Is it uncomfortable?
« Reply #5 on: August 13, 2021, 02:02:12 PM »

I waited in the waiting room and she came back and said they hadn't done it.

Ha, that's funny. I think I will opt for general anasthetic. I suffer with pani disorder and I'd rather avoid a panic attack when there.

Thanks all for your words of support :)
Logged

Taz2

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 26853
Re: Have a gastroscopy next week and so anxious. Is it uncomfortable?
« Reply #6 on: August 13, 2021, 03:07:11 PM »

I've had two without problems but the third one was aborted halfway through as they had only got an adult size mouth guard and I have to have a smaller one. The retching was too bad so I raised my hand to stop them. It was rescheduled and I asked for sedation. I'll always ask for that in future as it was so easy. It's conscious sedation so it is as if you are awake but you remember nothing of the procedure at all and no disgusting throat spray needed. It does mean that you can't drive for 24 hours afterwards though whereas without sedation I just went straight back to work.

Taz x
Logged

holidaylover

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 298
Re: Have a gastroscopy next week and so anxious. Is it uncomfortable?
« Reply #7 on: August 24, 2021, 10:05:38 AM »

Hi Loonarider
Just wondering if you managed to get your gastroscopy done, and if so what was the results.  Hope you're feeling better.
Logged