I've heard some people are fine with it however personally i had sedation as i get really anxious if i feel like i can't breathe. The spray does taste horrible but after the sedation i only remembering a little retching and for the rest of it i was out and don't remember it. If she has sedation then someone would need to take her home but if not then she can go unattended. 

Hope it goes well for her x 

I had this procedure done yesterday and decided to use just throat spray. As i have a toddler and i wanted to be able to go home asap and not be groggy!

It was honestly the worst experience i have ever had. Childbirth was easier to go through. I would 100% suggest that you have the sedation. I have heard some people have been ok with the just the throat spary and my hat goes off to them! 

Positives are that it is over with very quickly and you can go straight home. But it is a very traumatic experience in my opinion and should be done under sedation x 

I had this procedure done yesterday and decided to use just throat spray. As i have a toddler and i wanted to be able to go home asap and not be groggy!

It was honestly the worst experience i have ever had. Childbirth was easier to go through. I would 100% suggest that you have the sedation. I have heard some people have been ok with the just the throat spary and my hat goes off to them! 

Positives are that it is over with very quickly and you can go straight home. But it is a very traumatic experience in my opinion and should be done under sedation x 

Could not agree more Sammyg2010! Just had mine this morning & whilst I thought none sedation would be tough, I had no idea how traumatic it would be.

I'm amazed anyone who goes for just throat spray would recommend others to try it.....I would advocate sedation everytime & can't believe they actually have a none sedation option  

So glad it is over, just the constant retching & panic have left my throat so sore & bruised.....never again without sedation

I had mine this morning with just throat spray, tried it on 3 attempts and failed it was very traumatic felt as though I was constantly choking have to be rebooked for sedation just wanted to know does it still feel as though you are choking with sedation as that’s what nurse said that I would still get that type of sensation 

I did manage to hold out long enough with throat spray to finish the procedure so didn't need sedation, although other people at clinic who had sedation were noticeably less traumatised. It appears that although you are still likely to retch, the sedation and mix of drugs make the passage of tube easier, so I assume it is decidedly less traumatic.

Hopefully someone who has had the sedation will also reply and give you a better idea. Good Luck xxx

I had it done three years ago and went for the throat spray and I remember gagging a bit and the nurse told me I went a funny shade of white and whilst it was clearly not an enjoyable experience I did not find it that bad, though I was keen for it to end. I did note that of about 10 other patients on the ward I think I was the only one who chose this route. I had another one done today and opted for the throat spray again. I have to admit to being slightly fearful, but the nurses were very reassuring and supportive telling me how well I was doing throughout and it really helped. The thing that helped me the most though was to focus solely on breathing in and out constantly during the procedure and I found it a breeze and it felt like no time at all. The doctor said to me that I seemed "to go into some sort of zone"! On both occasions I did not find the spray itself that bad.

In short, it is not a lot of fun but if you want to be in and out quickly then go for the spray and just focus on the breathing. If time is not an issue for you and/or you worry about the breathing/gagging aspect then go for sedation and remember you will need someone to collect you.

Hope this helps

Dazzer

Thank you for replying that has helped 

I have this booked for 2nd September..

I had one done about 10 years ago no sedation was awful...said never again!!

BUT on the 2nd September I have plans to see a show with my daughter in the evening and am considering have it done with no sedation again!!

If i have sedation how long after will i be ok to leave the house?

10.15am is my hospital appointment and 2.30pm we have a coach booked to take us to London!!!

Hi

Did you get an answer to this question or have you since had the procedure? I am waiting to have it done and I am terrified that I will feel as though I am chking. If you can help at all I would appreciate it.

Thank you

Polly

Hi everyone,

I've had loads of investigative procedures over the past few years and have to say that Gastroscopy was by far the worst. During some of the procedures I've had, I tried sedation and Entonox, they call it gas and air, but basically it's Nitrous Oxide mixed with Oxygen. 

I've had a colonoscopy with sedation and colonoscopy with Entonox. I had Gastroscopy just with the throat spray.

The Gastoscopy gave me a bit of a gag reflex until they got past my throat and then it was just uncomfortable. It feels like you can't swallow the saliva in your mouth, but I found you could. The support nurse told me to keep taking deep breaths and I found that helpful.

These are my findings and this is personal to me, so you might find things are different for you.

Sedation doesnt work for me, I don't feel drowsy and I remember the full procedure. Back in the 80's I had a bad motorcycle accident and can vividly remember the anaesthetist bringing me round in the theatre even though I'd been heavily sedated and suffered the agony of being moved from the operating table to a bed in recovery.

Entonox, gas and air. This should have been easy, however I had a serious attack of paranoia and the procedure had to be stopped. When I went back a month later I had no sedation or Entonox.

I think the best option is to go with the sedation for a Gastroscopy, but only if you have someone to take you home. Hope that helps.

Hello, 

I am just looking at the dates, on the posts here and realizing that actually this is months ago that you asked about sedation for your friend. 

I did not have the intention of having sedations for both gastroscopy and endoscopy but ended up having sedation.  I was glad to have had someone with me, so decided to just leave my car overnight and got help home on the bus.  I do not regret this as when I did start to come round it really was quite sore.  I am to have another endoscopy and would prefer to have the sedation again, if possible. 

Best wishes. 

Karianne

Hi Shortis,

Just wondering as I had a long wait for biopsy results, whether G.P.s will allow appointments for discussion, as I made a number of requests for a call from my G.P. and have not had a response. I do now have a letter from the hospital so didnt think I was entitled to request an appointment to discuss. 

best K