Suspected lung cancer

Do try not to worry about it, the procedure sounds a lot worse than it is and it's really nothing to be terrified about. I've had this a couple of times and as you say a sedative is used which means that you're unlikely to remember much if anything about it afterwards and you don't have to recover from a general anaesthetic. They will also numb the back of your mouth and throat so you'll experience no discomfort.

I hope all goes well for you.

Same here. Woman, 62, mass on left lung. I had a bronchoscopy 3 weeks ago and everything went fine. I was a little uncomfortable and experienced some breathlessness for about 4 days afterwards, but nothing more than that. My Dr did prescribe oxycodone which I took to help me sleep and it took care of the uncomfortable feeling as well. All the best to you!

Hi ED007

The bronchoscopy/biopsy is the only way to determine the nature of the mass.  As the other replies have said, the bronchoscopy is not as bad as you think it will be.  I was given the option regarding sedation, and I chose not to have it. I live on my own and having the sedation would have meant either someone having to stay with me overnight or me staying with them; I just didn't want all that faff! Even without the sedation , it was not an ordeal. They do spray a local anaesthetic all the way through the process so it is painless though a little uncomfortable. My throat was a tad croaky for a few hours afterwards but no lingering side effects..

Good luck with the bronchoscopy.

Kegsy x

hiya - it's a really unsettling time, but try not to worry too much... I'm 6 weeks ahead of you and remember that day well :) 

I had one a month or so ago and whilst 'uncomfortable' it wasn't too bad at all. For me they gave me a mild sedative (they described it as like have a few G&Ts :)  and sprayed my the back of my throat and nasal passage with a numbing spray. It wasn't too bad at all inserting the tube and doing the procedure and when they took the samples  it was ok too - just a little uncomfortable..I coughed a lot though in parts and they'll likely have a nurse there who will be dedicated to making sure you are comfortable as possible as they do it... It's all over very quickly 10-15 mins...  

I know it's such a roller coaster and so much to absorb, but during the procedure i focused on the fact that this is the key test to allow the drs to get a biopsy and a biopsy will help with the next steps - plenty of info on https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/lung-cancer and also Roy Castle lung cancer site is good. 

good luck with it :) will send positive thoughts 

forgot to add - I had someone pick me up after the procedure as you can't drive immediately.