Hi I had two last year. The first was without sedation which although not painful I found it quite frightening. The second one just six weeks later I was given a sedation. It’s a very light sedation which relaxes you and I’m sure makes their job much easier. You will be left to recover in a sideward for 30-60 minutes. You can’t drive after sedation and will need someone to take you home afterwards.

i also had a Colonoscopy in May this year with sedation, again very light just to relax you. In fact I found this procedure very interesting and watched the whole thing on the screen as it was done. 

Be reassured that both these procedures are common practice and you will be in good hands I’m sure. 

Good luck. 

I had the most traumatic experience ever with my gastroscopy! instant retching as soon as the camera got to the back of my mouth had to stop the doc before he got to my esophagus, I had the numbing spray but I cannot express how traumatic this was for me I haven't gagged or retched like that before in my life! I got quite upset instantly after as I wanted to find out what was wrong with me now I have to wait again and I didn't have a clue it was going to be that bad, the doc said I could go under general anesthetic next time but I'm going for a throat xray first to see if that shows up anything, hopefully all is ok though.
Would not recommend this to anybody but if it needs doing it needs doing :)

Hi All,

I have read loads of horror stories on here and for anyone who is anxious about the procedure I wanted to share my experience...I am having another gastroscopy in 2 days and have just had my Covid swab, my last procedure of this type was in 2017 and i was hugely anxious and made it alot worse by reading these type of comments (after all, people don't tend to leave positive comments) 

I had the procedure without sedation and will be doing the same again, it is uncomfortable but it is in no way painful. A few people have said the same as I will say, just focus on your breathing and try to use some meditation techniques and it is fine. Mine was over in less than 5 mins with 2 biopsies taken. 

As with most things, the thought is worse than the reality, you can really work yourself up with this type of procedure but please try not to panic. 

If you chose to be sedated, fine. If you chose not to, fine. With the added bonus that you will be able to walk straight out and get on with your day :) 

I agree it doesnt help being negative. Ive had 2 gastroscopy's without sedation, but sugaring the pill is not helpful either. I'm not a young man but consider myself to be pretty resiliant. As an example I rode my bike home 7 miles with a broken collar bone and worked my way through the pain barrier. My first gastroscopy was unpleasant, but bearable. My second one was awful and I had to ask them to stop as I was having really bad gag reflex to the procedure. I have to have another one in 2 years time and will opt for sedation. It's never worked for other treatments I've had so I don't usually bother. I felt traumatised after the procedure.

Hi, this sounds almost exact to what i just had a few days ago! Ive been beside myself ever since and although they did manage to get to my small intestines, they had no clear view of my stomach or oesophagus as apparently i couldnt retain air or stop retching. I was wondering if you were able to get another go at the endoscopy as this is what i am wanting to do? Thankyou for your time :) 

I had a similar experience last year, I opted for sedation, had canula in my arm ready, but doc said I would be fine with throat spray, how wrong he was. I was gagging and retching, he eventually gave me the sedation which had no effect, changed to a smaller tube and eventually managed to get through it. It was a horrible experience and now I am due to have another one. The only way they will be doing it this time is if they put me to sleep

I had an upper gi endoscopy 15 years ago for the first time and was a little apprehensive about the gag reflex. As I was waiting my turn, sitting in the room with all the post procedure patients lying in beds burping and farting, I decided that if possible I would have the procedure without sedation. The nurse explained to me that sedated or not, I would be fully compus mentis during the procedure but the sedation would make me forget much of what had gone on! Well, for me, it was a no brainer. No sedation (which pleased the doc for some reason). No throat spray was offered. So, a case of swallow the tube down with a bit of lube,with lots of reassurance from the nurse. Hey, no gag reflex! Not the most pleasant experience, but totally painless. 

I had another one 10 years ago, and opted for no sedation again, but this time I was given the throat numbing drink. This time, as the doc was telling me to swallow the scope, I was beside myself with frustation yelling at the doc, in my head, as it isn`t possible to speak,that I can`t swallow you fool, you`ve just numbed my throat! He then just pushed the scope down my throat, with my constant retching not seeming to bother him! Anyway, if my experiences may help anyone about to undertake this procedure, I would def choose the first option. Oh, and I had no bad results.

I would ask for the sedative in the back of your hand. YOu will remeber very little and the gastroscopist will have a really good view of the lining of your gullet and stomach from all angles, a better view than a barium swallow. Ask them to spray the front of your tongue, so you can swallow the lidocaine, so it coats the back of your throat gradually, with no gagging. Allow time for it to work, before you swallow the scope.

I was going to ask Dr Moran on YouTUbe, but left it a little late, on how long you need to allow the local anaesthetic to start working. The look into my urethra, was quite soon after administering the anaesthetic gell. BUt was not too uncomfortable.

Gingito 30.11.20 above you on this site had bit of lube on scope and swallowed. No gag reflex, totally painless. Definitely wants same again.

I just had my OGD /gastroscopy this morning without sedation.  Whilst it wasn't particularly painful (oesophageal biopsys did hurt a bit - not too bad).  However it is a pretty full on experience - if you have the choice - I'd go sedation next time.  However if I had a reason not to choose sedation - I could bare it again without.  I retched a fair bit when the scope was being moved either in or out - and you have to tolerate a lot of fluid gurgling in your airway - which is freaky - but managed to find a zone where it was ok to breath - I can see someone who's not good with choking/retching/controlling their breathing could have a really bad time...(thinks maybe I've been drunk too many times rather than brave)

Thank you for your reply. I had looked at as many YouTube videos of 'My experience with' and there was a comment of one man, who wrote train yourself like Hudini, and keep BREATHING! Touching the side of the pharynx does not elicit such a strong gag reflex as the centre of the pharynx. Very gently touching the lining, with your finger tip or finger nail, repeatedly, doing it 3-4 times a day, over 4 days, enabled minimal gagging, one minor start, brought under control with rapid breathing in and out through the nose - snorting. Another had found he was worse with the anaesthtic spray than with lube jelly on scope. So I took your advice, and no anaesthetic spray. No sedation, could drive home myself. Someone has to look after our daughter. I would definitely do the same next time. If you were to try training your gag reflex, you might benefit too. Good luck for next time.

Thank you for your reply. I had looked at as many YouTube videos of 'My experience with' and there was a comment of one man, who wrote train yourself like Hudini, and keep BREATHING! Touching the side of the pharynx does not elicit such a strong gag reflex as the centre of the pharynx. Very gently touching the lining, with your finger tip or finger nail, repeatedly, doing it 3-4 times a day, over 4 days, enabled minimal gagging, one minor start, brought under control with rapid breathing in and out through the nose - snorting. Another had found he was worse with the anaesthtic spray than with lube jelly on scope. So I took your advice, and no anaesthetic spray. No sedation, could drive home myself. Someone has to look after our daughter. I would definitely do the same next time. If you were to try training your gag reflex, you might benefit too. Good luck for next time.