Biopsy - I'm Nervous

[mikehall117]

Hi,

I am having a gastric biopsy and an internal exam to look for evidence of celiac and other possible issues causing malabsorbsion. I am not looking forward to the procedure! I have been offered the choice of either having a local dental anaesthetic sprayed into the back of my throat or a sedation. The procedure will take 5-10 minutes so is a sedation really worth it? I hate the idea of having something jammed down my throat and as I have a really strong gag reflex I am worried about choking.

Has anyone undergone this procedure with only a local anaesthetic?

[mushroom]

Hi,

I am having a gastric biopsy and an internal exam to look for evidence of celiac and other possible issues causing malabsorbsion. I am not looking forward to the procedure! I have been offered the choice of either having a local dental anaesthetic sprayed into the back of my throat or a sedation. The procedure will take 5-10 minutes so is a sedation really worth it? I hate the idea of having something jammed down my throat and as I have a really strong gag reflex I am worried about choking.

Has anyone undergone this procedure with only a local anaesthetic?

Even if it isn't a monetary issue of what insurance will or will not pay for, I would recommend the sedation. I had it done under sedation and really, you do not remember the tube being inserted or coming out. Especially if you have a strong gag reflex. The procedure itself is really quite minor, but the gag reflex makes a difference, IMHO. And if you have anxiety about it that will make it worse.

[FMcGee]

I would go with sedation. It's what I had, but I didn't have a choice, because I was also having a colonoscopy, but I would have picked sedation anyway, because I... am a world-class wuss. And proud of it!

[Foxfire62]

I had the procedure three times before...with sedation. You don't remember anything. You remember them getting you set up, and they may ask a few questions. Then they give you the stuff in the IV, and you don't remember the stuff they spray in the throat or anything else. Later, after you're dressed, you wonder how you got dressed in the first place!!!

It's no big deal. Colonoscopy is the same. The worst thing about a colonoscopy is the stuff you have to drink to clean you out! (YUCK!)

Take the sedation, especially if you're that nervous.

Good luck!

[curiousgeorge]

I had the biopsy and no biggie. I was sedated. I remember the throat spray and them putting something in my mouth so I didn't bite the scope and NOTHING else. I was perfectly fine afterwards, not even a sore throat.