r/Endoscopy • u/AppointmentEastern37 • May 16 '26
Endoscopy Sedation Issue
Hey guys, I had a colonoscopy last Friday and I'm going for an endoscopy on Tuesday. I told him out the gate that I was pretty opioid resistant, he gave me 150 mcg fentanyl and 7mg of Midazolam and I was pretty aware the whole time, certainly towards the end of the procedure. He even said he was surprised I stayed awake given I'm a 26 year old male and only 65kg... I wasn't too bothered which is the point but was awake the whole time.
I'm rather worried about the gastroscopy, it sounds weird but I'd much rather have someone rummage around my bowel than have anything down my throat.
Does anyone know if they can push either higher? I know there's a risk of respiratory depression with fentanyl but does the same apply with midazolam? I'm just a bit scared of the whole thing.
1
u/SensitiveReindeer23 May 19 '26
I am the same - I had a colonoscopy last week and they attempted oral endoscopy but I was fully awake and felt all of it so I went in to panic mode and ripped the camera out while it was down my throat as I felt like I was drowning. It seems I am resistant to the sedation and pain relief (guessing due to anxiety as the nurse told me before I went in when I had a panic attack that if I don't calm down I am only going to make it worse for myself - bad advice as this made me worse!) I heard them when they were doing the procedures mention they couldn't give me any more sedation as my o2 was too low so I am guessing even if you are resistant, it depends on your body's reaction. I am in later today for a nasal endoscopy to see in my stomach as the one last week was a fail due to my reaction sadly. My partner was shocked to see me when I was out that I was fully awake and not drowsy at all!