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.

Hi everyone, I had my gastroscopy procedure yesterday and reading all of these posts before hand absolutely scared the life out of me. People are only willing to post there bad experiences.  Just had a couple sprays of throat spray which just numbed my mouth and the back of my throat. But I am 17 years old and I had no sedation and was completely fine. Believe it or not I didn't even gag. If you're going to go in the making it fuss which it sounds like a lot of these people did it's going to be much more tramatic. Absolutely 0 pain. Just slightly uncomfortable and just a bit strange really. But if you're due to get one please do not listen to all these horror stories. It's over it ten minutes and is really no where near as bad as all these posts. A recurring theme throughout all the posts is people thinking the sedation is going to stop the gagging for them you are going to gag no matter what!! You're better off dealing with it for 5 minutes so you can leave straight after. 

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.

Totally agree with you. I didn't look on any forums before this precedure as didn't want to give myself further anxiety but if you do I'd strongly urge anyone to have the sedation ( it shouldn't even be an option without) .

I had my gastroscopy today I went in completely calm and it was extremely traumatic for me .... I really wish I'd gone for the sedation. 
 

To describe the tube as thin is ludicrous, mine looked like a hose  pipe ....I'm aware some are much thinner though. I vomited chunks throughout ,despite not eating for the recommended hrs beforehand (only small amount of cereal) I too felt like I was choking . Had I had sedation I've no doubt my experience would have been completely different . 

this post isn't to scare anybody on the contrary ,take it as good advice and have the sedation and I'm sure it will be fine . 
 

I had one today. I was pretty apprehensive before hand. I had the spray on the back of the throat. The procedure is uncomfortable but not painful. I did find myself gagging etc. The spray makes you think you can't swallow but in reality you can. 
pverall I didn't find it as bad as what I thought it was going to be. I'd describe it as uncomfortable but not painful or severe. For me I found that trying to remain calm, understanding that you can breath and can swollen although it feels strange. And although uncomfortable isn't painful. You do gag, and burp but that's all normal.