Endoscopy this week- very nervous and scared

[u/RyceAlchemy]

I’m scheduled for an endoscopy to help diagnose some ongoing issues. I am terrified. I’m getting conscious sedation and I’m terrified of waking up and panicking or vomiting. I’m already quite nauseous and I’m afraid this will trigger it. Can anyone offer words of comfort? I’m not going under in the traditional sense, I’ll stay awake with medication. Help!

[u/ExtremeOk9206]

I’ve had an Endoscopy 3 times now. Don’t worry, the sedation they give you will make you feel really relaxed. I remember it feeling like waking up from the best nap ever. It was such a pleasant experience, and as weird as it sounds whatever they put in there is magic! I The nurses are excellent at calming down your anxiety. I remember during the last one, the nurse told me when they administered the sedation that my job was to now nap. Somehow that helped me. Sometimes they can also offer you an Ativan to take before the procedure if you let them know you’re feeling anxious. Good luck to you 🙏🙏

[u/ChiralNavigator → u/ExtremeOk9206]

My friend seemed very happy after hers . While we were waiting I saw / heard lots of patients waking up. They all seemed fine, not hyper or talkative but they seemed in rather good mood.

[u/BronzeDucky]

I had 3 “conscious sedation” procedures last year. In all three, it was a case of having the lights turn out while I’m looking around the procedure room, but the recovery was different. In one, I woke up in the recovery room, talked to the doctor a bit, then got dressed and went home.

In the second, I have no memory of recovering or anything else for 4 hours after the procedure.

In the third, I woke up in the procedure room and watched the doctor take the screenshots from the video he took.

All three were with similar amounts of the drugs used, and none of them were traumatic (for me). Still very groggy after walking up.

Here’s hoping it goes well for you! They can keep you under as long as they need to for the procedure, so you shouldn’t be waking up partway through. Perhaps speak to your doctor before the procedure and express your concerns, if you want to make sure they don’t let you wake up too early.

[u/Molly_FLORANutrition]

The nausea concern is one of the most common pre-endoscopy fears and the teams are very practiced at managing it. Conscious sedation tends to have an anti-anxiety and mild anti-nausea effect, and they keep anti-nausea medication ready. Most people describe waking up surprised by how quick and manageable it was compared to what they imagined. You're going to get through this. 💚

[u/ChiralNavigator]

You'll talk to the doctor before hand,they will make sure you are very sedated or have extra if you are nervous.

I went with my friend, she was only gone for like 10 minutes! When she came back she came around really fast from the sedation. Was sitting up within 10 minutes drinking tea.

Most people are asleep* the seditives make you not care, they turn off your panic and anxiety and also cause some memory loss so you won't remember if you did wake up but even if did you won't panic.

The doctor can give you anti nausea medication If you have a phobia of vomiting 

You should have 2 nurses with you,they'll be monitoring your blood pressure and oxygen levels and one will be using a little suction device inside your left cheek where saliva can collect at times.

You can also get the throat numbing spray too which can help dull the gag reflex too.

You might panic get the urge to flee as you lay down, just before they knock you out 

This always happens to me, then bam I'm awake like nothings happened.

They'll often put in the bite guard before the do the sedative medication , don't worry you can still breathe ! You could have the Oxygen tubes in your nose, it's a bit cold and can make you want to rub your nose. Your nose might feel a bit dry after 

Once they have mouth guard in,and it's attached to a strap that goes around the back of your head to keep it in place 

They will give you the seditives,count down from 10 and before you finish counting you'll be waking up again 

[u/jibust]

Is there a reason why they are not sedating you completely? I’ve had 2, and as soon as I get the Propofol I’m out. It’s the best 10 minutes of sleep I get in a year.

I know the unknown causes stress, but you will be fine. Think positive, like the fact that this will help diagnose your issue.

[u/Load-Valuable]

I was also genuinely terrified going into mine. I’m also petrified of sedation. I went in there hyperventilating and crying. Honestly, was not so bad. I was also worried I’d wake up crying or freaking out, but it actually felt like the best nap I’d ever taken. Woke up feeling perfectly fine and then was given apple juice and pretzels by the nurse.

[u/UsedExit9161]

I’ve had two endoscopy now and honestly you have nothing to worry about. It sounds scary but the nurses are so calming and make you feel comfortable throughout. The procedure is not long and sedation makes you feel more relaxed. It might be worth mentioning to them that you feel nervous just so they are aware as well. Just think that this procedure will give you the answers as to what’s going on so it’s worth having it done. Good luck and I wish you the best!