"Bad experience of endoscopy"

I had a terrifying experience of endoscopy at Leeds General Infirmary. I opted for the throat spray as I wanted to be able to go home on the bus. They gave me the spray and attached the mouthpiece, then proceeded to try and force the tube down my throat. I was gagging and choking. They tried 3 times and each time I was gagging and choking really badly. The third time they held me down so I couldn't move and forced the tube even more. I was sobbing and terrified. I tried to get them to stop but they wouldn't. That was the worst bit. I felt violated as they were forcing it on me.

Obviously I couldn't say 'stop' because I had a mouthpiece in but I was waving my arms about and making noises, gagging and crying. As a patient, I surely have a right to stop the procedure if I am not happy. After what seemed like an eternity they did stop. By this time I was really distressed and upset. I cried during the procedure, after the procedure and when I have flashbacks of being forced down and not being able to stop them. I haven't slept well as I just keep replaying the terrifying incident.

As they didn't actually get the tube down properly, they suggested I go back another time and have a sedation. There is no way I am going back - if they don't stop the procedure when I am awake, it would be even worse if I was half asleep with sedation and not be able to indicate that I want them to stop. I would rather be ill than have this again.