pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

the pains in my chest haven't gotten any better and today I call upon my old friend BUPA to get me in to see a specialist .. I know how these guys like to spend my hard earn cash .. so I'm guessing the first test will be the old camera down the throat ..

Anyone had one recently ? I'm a wimp and it's worrying me a bit ..

Leslie

Yes I have. I felt the same way as you about it. I was not able to have the relaxant because I was driving so I had the throat deadening spray. The trick is to swallow as it enters your throat, they say when, and as soon as the tube is past that bit it is no longer particularly uncomfortable.

No problem while they are looking around or when they withdraw it. Important to stay motionless while they are doing the job of course and if you are lucky you might get a cracking nurse to hold you still during the examination...I did anyway

Try not to worry about it anyway.

Les

mslorach

iTrader: (22)

I had one about 6 months ago, you will be offered a sedative, my advice is to take it!
I kind of remember the procedure but I had a great time totally minced, I was giggling (or trying to giggle with a camera down my throat) and burping while they did it, then I had a sore throat for a few days after.
The worst bit was the anaesthetic spray they give you before it starts.
It is a bit of an ordeal without the sedative I believe.
Hope this helps!

David Lock

Had an Endoscopy a couple of weeks ago, same thing really looking at throat and stomach. Much easier than I thought so don't worry.
I was offered a sedative but all I had was a spray in the mouth, lay on your side and tube etc is passed down your throat. First bit when you swallow is a bit uncomfortable but that's all. Took 5 - 10 mins. No food or drink before for 6 hours. Mouth is numb for a couple of hours after.

And I wasn't pregnant after all

d

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

That's actually helping to put my mind at rest ..

thank you ..

EddScott

I wasn't offered a sedative, they just sprayed the back of my throat.

Its uncomfortable but doesn't really hurt.

Fat Boy

I've had without any spray or sedative of any description and, aside from "the swallow moment", it's OK.

I keep telling the wife that it's quite easy really, but so far no joy...

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

lol

little-ginge

had an endoscopy last year (Or was it the year before lol).

Opted to have the sedative, as I gag really easily( I am expecting crude comments to that). Worst bit was the nurse being unable to get the canula in and making quite a mess of my hand ( the doctor performing the procedure had to do it in the end!)

Can hardly remember any of the actual thing. Just gagging a bit as they took the camera out, then having a manky hospital sandwich and cuppa after.

njkmrs

I was driving so could only have the throat spray .
My advice is have the sedative !!!

My eyes were bloodshot for days after due to me wretching as they fed the pipe in .Not comfortable .

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

Sedative it is...

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

I too only had the throat spray, due to advice of the nurses. I would give exactly the same advice as this quote...have the sedative. Quite honestly, it was horrible. I gagged the whole way through, on a positive, the nurse who stayed with me was really kind and did his best to keep me calm (didn't really help but he tried).

Just hope the sedative works. When I had the camera at the other end, I decided that time to have it and it did absolutely nothing. Remebered everything and felt everything.

I do hope it all goes well for you.

dazh66

Agreed, one of the most awful things I've experienced, you will certainly have more respect for the wife aswell

r32

I've had three, the first one without any sedation and I found it awful. I was fighting to get the damn thing back out.
The other two times it was with sedation and I was fine. But never without sedation for me.

Make sure its not the same camera they use for colonoscopys..................

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

LOL thanks for that

Leslie

It really is not as bad as you might expect. The possiblity of discomfort is actually all in the mind. If you relax completely so that they can get on with the job the whole thing is quicker and not that much of a trial. Try not to blow it all up in your imagination.

Les

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

sorry les, but the only truth in that is RELAX

SEDATIVE
its the single most unpleasant experience of my life.
I was wondering why all these blokes came in the room just before they put it in which soon became clear once it was.
They wernt required but ill bet money they are for some with less self control

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

You asked a question, and I answered, just to give you my experience. I only posted at all as I wouldn't want you to get a horrble shock by going unprepared.

Just because it was horrible for me (and a few others), doesn't mean it will be for you, plenty of other people have found it ok.

Chris 9-5

iTrader: (3)

I've had two of these done, one with sedative one with the throat spray......

I'd go with sedative if i had to do it again, rather just not know what they are doing!

What did amuse me though when awake with the throat spray one was the fact that they waited until (what seemed like) they had 34ft of camera and cable, three tool boxes and a trolley jack in my mouth and then asked if I was ok

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

tarmac terror

iTrader: (2)

Has your GP ruled out Costochondritis??? I have suffered this for around 3 months. Very painful, and I had convinced myself there is something very seriously wrong with me. It has taken 3 months to get back to health - just a thought, as I recall vaguely reading your original thread about this.

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

No, no one has ruled out anything ..

I had my first ecg last night .. 6 months after my first chest pain .. I've had blood test, urine tests and am have a barium meal and x-ray on Monday assuming my Bupa cover is enough ..

Lee247

Good luck and all the best.
I gag when I brush my back teeth, Christ alone knows how I would cope with this.
Fingers crossed for a good outcome

dazh66

If you've only just had an ECG 6 months after having chest pain I'd be asking for a refund from BUPA
I've been on 2 lots of tablets for 18 months approx and probably for the rest of my life due to a virus damaging my heart but my GP and specialist got everything rushed through luckily. It may recover to some extent due to the nature of the damage, ie, caused by a virus but not certain. However my doctors prompt actions saved my life so I'd be asking questions if I were you.

dazh66

Thats not meant to scare you but you can't be too careful with your health

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

You're making me feel awful.

I was only trying to say it's not always a walk in the park. Really more a vote for sedation (as long as it works ).

I'm the same as Lee, I gag easily, so maybe that's what made it worse for me.

You'll be fine.

Anyhow, a little bit discomfort is worth it if it helps find out/rule out what is wrong.

Fabioso

I've had chest pain on and off and resting heart rates of 140+ amd high BP only ever after food but not everytime since October. I've had about 8 ECG's, an echocardiagram, a ct scan of the heart arteries, blood work, urine analysis, stress treadmill test and they can't find anything wrong with the heart........ just an elevated adrenaline level one time.

Now I gotta have an MIBG scan and a CT scan of the abdomen with contrast to rule out tumours. Anyone had the MIBG? they inject radioactive material or something...Im not sure Im that keen to be honest.......

Now reading this post Im starting to think may be my pain could be gastric as I have been getting some acidy gut lately. Does the pain sorta go up into the throat? Did ya ever get a racing pulse after eating?

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

Not sure if the MIBG is silmilar, but my Mam had to have a bone scan in 2010, and that was done by injecting radioactive material, then scanning. She said it was fine, not painful etc.

With my 'heartburn', normally it's uncomfortable and rifts up into my throat, not unbearably painful. However, bad attacks tend to be similar in terms of pain/discomfort up to the throat but far more severe with really bad pain in the chest/shoulder. Usually when this bad, saliva is coming up into my mouth uncontrollably. I can't really remember if my pulse was racing, but I did fear I was having a heart attack the first time it was that bad.

It may be reflux/gastric related, but I'm not doctor. Best let the medics take care of you, but it may be worth asking them the same question.

Hope you get sorted.

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

Now not only am I scared, I feel sorry for you're partners

Er .. it can do but for me its brought on my the pain ..

I don't think its my heart .. but I don't know what the **** it is ..

BUPA are saying they might not be able to fund me now .. my outpatient limit is £1000 .. 1k .. FFS, why have a policy with them, the blood tests are £490 alone..

David Lock

The lesson here is not to post medical questions on SN - especially if you are after reassurance.......

Do BUPA offer pre-op counselling

dl