"Endoscopy left me traumatised"

After waiting two years for my appointment with it being repeatedly cancelled I finally had my endoscopy, and the experience left me traumatised. It was honestly the worst thing I’ve ever been through. Even thinking about it now makes me feel discomfort from my throat down to my stomach.

I only had the throat spray and didn’t receive sedation, and I’m not sure if that’s why the experience felt so awful. There was constant gagging and burping, and it was just terrible. The doctor and nurses also didn’t seem friendly at all it felt like they were tired of their job, which made the whole experience even more unsettling. I tried to get the doctor’s attention during the procedure, but the nurses held my head down. I understand they needed to keep me still to avoid any risk of injury, but it was extremely distressing.

After the procedure, there was such a lack of communication that I didn’t even know if I was allowed to get up from the bed and leave.

I was lucky that my results came back clear, but I still have no answers for my ongoing stomach issues.