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.

I had endoscopy yesterday. I had throat spray as I don't tolerate medication due to my liver problems. The worst part is the tube going pass the throat didn't hurt just makes you gag after down you can feel what's going on and occasionally yolu wrench I had four biopsy so taken and when that happens you feel lot if pushing and shoving more uncomfortable rather than pain. I was able to go home ten minutes after if you have sedation you are in about three hours before going home. Hope this helps all the best.

I had mine (Gastroscopy) yesterday morning and wanted the report as soon as possible as I had a GP appointment arranged for the afternoon in order to discuss the results and get any necessary prescriptions. So I opted for the spray and not the sedation. I am 60 years old but have enjoyed contact sports etc for most of my life. However I would say the procedure is at the upper end of the limit of psychological endurance and fairly low down the scale in terms of pain. Whilst I tolerated the procedure (they performed something called a J manoeuvre in my stomach and took a biopsy) it was by no means easy and the helpful comments from the nurse were absolutely vital to ease anxiety. However I relived the experiance quite a lot in the hours that followed and had difficulty sleeping last night as the act of lying down triggered flash backs. Today I feel absolutely fine and was glad that didn't have the sedation as I have already had my GP consultation and I am already taking the tablets. So for speed etc it's a very time economical solution. Looking back I think if you are not going to have sedation I would pick a coping therapy  such as breathing technique or in my case I found myself tapping my finger on my thigh during the procedure. But in any event these reviews should not put anybody off from having the procedure as I see it as a vital tool in the fight against cancer and other nasty developments.