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Fear of Endoscopy / Propofol

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Posted 5/17/2017 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
Someone help me sad
I have a very intense anxiety disorder and I am pretty good at managing it.
However, for the last few months I have had tightness in my throat and it has been uncomfortable to swallow so my doctor wants me to get an endoscopy. I have it scheduled for next Wednesday and I am FREAKING OUT. I am not scared of the procedure but am terrified of the Propofol. I do not like the idea of being sedated. I even recently got my wisdom teeth removed without sedation due to this fear.

Does anymore know if I can ask to not be sedated? Also has anyone experienced this without sedation?
Posted 5/17/2017 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi QTC and welcome!

I understand your concerns...as I don't like the idea of being sedated either...and opted to have two drug free births as a result! 😂

Have you ever taken a benzodiazepine? I am wondering if this might be perferable option for you?

Asking your doctor about whether this is even a possibility would be the first step of course...

...and for other ideas, you may want to check in with the GERD forum, as they would have experience in this procedure there

Wishing you the best, and inviting you to post with us anytime!

Scaredy Cat
Posted 5/17/2017 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I have taken a benzo and I asked the nurse today if there is anyway to avoid being sedated and she said there isn't! Idk what to do I feel so helpless because I really need the procedure but I am terrified of being sedated.
Posted 5/17/2017 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
...maybe taking the benzo prior to going in...

...so you don't panic during the sedation process.

Of course you would need to clear this beforehamd with the medical team that is attending you.

S.C.
Posted 5/18/2017 8:58 AM (GMT 0)
I performed an endoscopy without sedation. I'm not sure why they wouldn't give you the option. I mean, my dr wasn't happy when I insisted but he was shocked when I was actually able to do it
Posted 5/18/2017 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
I have recently had a few things requiring sedation. One was an endoscopy, and what I hated the most for that was putting a mouth piece in BEFORE the sedation. That freaked me out. But one of my other recent procedures wasn't for the throat, so that was not needed. However, I was still extremely nervous, and asked for something to help. It had to wait for anesthesia approval, and didn't come fast enough for my liking, but once they gave me that....I was so super relaxed! I think he said it was in the Valium family. I was tempted to ask for a prescription.

Anyway, your fears seem a bit different than mine (I could not handle an endoscopy without sedation!), but I wish you the best here!!!! Hope the tightness is nothing. I always feel my least anxious after some good test results. Go figure.
Posted 5/19/2017 10:27 AM (GMT 0)
The people that use the sedation drugs are professionals. They do this every day, all day. They are there to help you.

I've had it done. It's nice to just drift off to sleep and wake up in another room with the procedure done. I've even had medication to calm me before it starts.

It's like when you are afraid to fly. If you go sit and watch a runway and see the thousands of airplanes come and go all day you realize it's extremely rare that something goes wrong. Of course you only hear about the negative outcome.
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