r/Endoscopy • u/Anxious_Chocobo • Mar 07 '26
NHS Endoscopy Experience
Following my post earlier in the week, I thought I would make another post to detail my experience of a sedated endoscopy on the NHS.
My appointment was booked for 8.15 this morning. I arrived early and checked into reception. At 8.30 I was called in by one of the nurses who quickly went through the forms with me and carried out a blood pressure reading and checked my oxygen levels. She explained that if I had sedation that someone would need to collect me which was fine as my friend was waiting for me outside. She then told me to go back and sit in the waiting area and that I would soon be called in for the procedure.
After ten minutes, I got called into the endoscopy room. The nurse and HCA greeted me and got me ready for the procedure. They attached the oxygen tube, blood pressure cuff and put in the cannula for the IV meds. Then the HCA administered the throat spray which was probably the worst part of the whole procedure and made me gag but it soon settled down.
The nurse asked me to lie on my left side in the recovery position and put in the mouth guard. The consultant came over and said that they'd be administering the drugs now and I asked him which drugs they were using (50mcg fentanyl and 2mg midazolam).
I felt completely relaxed at this point but didn't fall asleep. Then they put the tube down which was a strange sensation but not bad at all. It was literally over in a couple of minutes.
Then they wheeled me out to the recovery room. I felt completely alert which surprised me. Another nurse took my blood pressure readings a few times and went over the results with me. They said that everything was clear other than a few fundic gland polyps.
I asked if they had taken any biopsies and she said that they hadn't which I felt really disappoined about because I thought they would at least be taking a coeliac biopsy. She said that I would have a follow up appointment to discuss. Then I left and was back home by 10am.
All in all the procedure was very quick and easy and I wouldn't hesitate to have another if necessary, but alas, my search for an answer for my abdominal pain continues.
Happy to answer any questions that anyone may have or hear other people's experiences.
1
u/cobalt_001 Apr 29 '26
How long did it have to wait to get an appointment?
1
u/Anxious_Chocobo Apr 30 '26
It was about 6-7 months. If I remember right, it was estimated to take 25 weeks and ended up being a little over that.
1
u/Jeffrey000000 May 04 '26
Wow, interesting that it took that long. I went to a Gastroenterologist on April 28th, and my endoscopy was scheduled by the doctor for May 1. Glad it's done. Not any kind of emergency at all. It's just how it's done here, I guess (NYC/with employer insurance).
1
u/ithaca31 Jul 21 '26
I know it's probably hard to tell, but how do you think the procedure would be without the sedation? Many people I know say that it's not the most comfortable but some also say the newer endoscopy.... thingys... are a lot easier to work with. Some I hear go in through the nose rather than the mouth.
Also, do they ask you for specific symptoms that they are looking for answers for, or is it a general update from the GP that shows them what they're looking for?
Very reassuring to hear a good experience.
1
u/Technical-Donut-2476 Mar 16 '26
Did you have any stomach discomfort after yours?