Absolutely petrified as looking like endoscopy imminent, can anyone reassure please?

[sammiej123]

HI all

I have been suffering with bloating, nausea and like a gnawing pain for about 5 weeks now and it feels like it is getting worse especially the nausea at night. I am on no meds at the moment, Omeprazole did not agree with me so I am just suffering at the moment. I know the right thing to do is to have the endoscopy , my GP made an urgent referral for me as she knew how much it is affecting me alongside of my health anxiety which is crippling at the moment, I live on my own dont really have any meaningful support and i am feeling wretched and hopeless. I dont want the sedative as I am scared of the implications of this and not being in control. I also dont what my throat numbed as i know this will make me panic about my breathing as i wont be able to feel it , would rather not have the numbing spray or sedative but the thought of the procedure horrifies me!! Please can anyone help I am desperate..

[jojo2316]

I’ve had two of these and they aren’t too awful but I do think you should either the numbing spray or the sedative because it’s not a very lovely feeling having a tube down your throat. Personally I recommend the sedative which just makes you feel pleasantly drunk. Not out of it at all, just maybe two glasses of wine, a nice relaxed happy feeling. The procedure itself is very quick and doesn’t hurt- it’s just uncomfortable. Feel free to pm me if you like

[sammiej123]

Thank you for your reply i do appreciate it.. I dont like the thought of my throat being numb as i know i will panic about my breathing as i tend to gasp for air when i am anxious and if i cant feel my throat i will really panic :( I am worried about the sedative as i wont be in control and worry i might have an allergic reaction or weird reaction to it.. i know i am catastrophising but i really cant help it, I am even thinking about starting to go on meds for anxiety as it is ruining my life.. How long did it take? and thanks again you are very kind x

[jojo2316]

The whole thing was over in about 20 minutes. The tube is actually down your throat for probably about 5 minutes. The numbing spray does make your throat feel a bit swollen and it tastes disgusting - like fake bananas. But the sedative - it didn’t make me fee out of control at all. Just relaxed and a bit happy. It was actually quite nice.

[sammiej123]

Thank you for your reply I am still torn between sedative and just going through it but without the throat spray. I am meeting with the gastroenterologist this afternoon to go through my issues and options. I rang up and explained about my crippling anxiety.. Will let you know how it goes.. My anxiety is off the scale at the moment probably not helping with my symptoms!

[NoraB]

Go with the sedative mate. I'd rather have 20 bum cams over a throat one any day...

Tell them about your anxiety and they will help you.

Let us know how you go on. X

[jojo2316]

Go with the sedative mate. I'd rather have 20 bum cams over a throat one any day...

Tell them about your anxiety and they will help you.

Let us know how you go on. X

Me too. But it’s not soooo awful and it’s over very quickly. The sedative almost makes the whole thing worth while though :-)
(the only reason I had four children was because I loved the gas and air!!)

[sammiej123]

Thanks guys i just have anxiety around being allergic and having a reaction to the sedative !! The joys of HA mine is crippling me at the moment.. I would rather not have it but dont know if i will be able to tolerate it :( I am meeting the Gastroenterologist this afternoon to discuss my issues etc and my symptoms. I wonder how much of it has been down to anxiety causing physical symptoms! I cant carry on with this though awful nausea and that hungry gnawing pain .. x

[sammiej123]

I met the Gastroenterologist today and to say that his bedside manner was not good would be an understatement. he did nothing to alleviate my anxiety infact he exacerbated it :( I have decided now to take Lansoprazole for a couple of weeks to see if that makes any difference to my symptoms... Its a nightmare really as i just want to feel better.

[jojo2316]

I met the Gastroenterologist today and to say that his bedside manner was not good would be an understatement. he did nothing to alleviate my anxiety infact he exacerbated it :( I have decided now to take Lansoprazole for a couple of weeks to see if that makes any difference to my symptoms... Its a nightmare really as i just want to feel better.

Oh no I’m so sorry. That is really unlucky. What did he say to make your anxiety worse?