I had a gastroscopy a few weeks ago & had sedation which in my opinion was the way to go. I also had the throat spray. It was all over in no time so I would say the waiting is the worse. I don't remember too much which is probably due to the sedation. I do remember how lovely the staff all were & how they put me at my ease. Please don't worry about it, It'll be fine 

Hi, I had a gastroscopy yesterday. I was extremely anxious having read some of the posts on these forums. I wanted to write this to put anyone else's mind at ease that may be due this procedure. Firstly I'm petrified of needles so I opted NOT to have sedation. I had throat spray and gas / air. Throat spray is absolutely fine, strange taste but really not that bad. Numbs the throat area nicely. Gas / air relaxes you just before the scope is inserted. The examination was over in minutes and I can honestly say if I were to require another one I would opt to have it again without sedation. There was no pain, no faffing with cannulas, I was going home within 10 minutes of getting out of the examination room. I hardly felt the tube once inserted, gagged once or twice when I caught a glimpse of the screen and the biopsies being taken because it didn't look pleasant. No gagging at the point of it passing into throat area which I was surprised about. 
 

Could breathe absolutely fine throughout, no choking sensation (which is a phobia or mine due to suffering anxiety / panic attacks for years). I don't have a sore throat but I will mention that I have had some chest pain when swallowing since the procedure. This has eased but I'm popping to the GP to rule out any issues. 
 

The reason for the gastroscopy was due to swallowing problems. Dr said all looked fine upon initial examination and results from upper biopsies will be back in a few weeks. 
 

Please, please do not worry about having this done! It's honestly not bad. I wish I hadn't gotten so worked up in the lead up to this examination as there really is no need. I really don't believe sedation is necessary and I'm a complete baby! Good luck to anyone else due to have this done.

Hi I'm having a Gastroscopy on Friday this week and although I'm anxious about the procedure I'm petrified of the results. I have watched both my mum and sister go through Cancer and both passed away after having treatment. I can't help thinking of the worse outcome. My dad passed away in January,dementia related, and I have a mentally handicapped sister that can't lose another member of her family. I had Covid for the second time just before Easter and since then I've had a cough, neck pain,  feels like I have something stuck in my throat, swallowing is uncomfortable, had stomach pains today and feel nauseas but that maybe because I'm very anxious. I went to the doctors last week to have a mole checked and thought would just mention the pain in my neck which is my worst symptom and now booked in for Gastroscopy. Sorry just needed to get my worries written down! Liss did the Dr tell you at the time of the examination the results? You mentioned biopsies back within a few weeks, hope all ok with you, 

I had this procedure today and I was not prepared for my experience. It's frustrating to read here when people state categorically what it is or is not like and how it can be managed. Ultimately people react differently and it's not always down to mind over matter.

If someone had an easy experience that's great for them and is their reality but equally not everyone gets that and that's not a reflection on another person's approach or pain threshold. I've found some of these posts unhelpful in that regard.

I had the spray and sedation but it did not have any effect I noticed and the nurse said if I needed another they would increase the dose. I found the procedure really traumatic and difficult. I gagged, coughed, retched and burped the entire time and my throat and chest feel really bruised over 12 hours later. I felt very alert the entire time. I had the colonoscopy straight after and that was nowhere near as difficult. I would definitely ask for a higher dose of sedation if I needed another, but would not all for sedation if I only needed the colonoscopy. The expectation was a 30/45 min stay in recovery post sedation not hours as others have suggested, so I was home less than an hour after I came out of the procedure. 

I certainly wouldn't say that you can know in advance of your first whether you'll have a difficult time or not. I've had three children with only gas and air, broken bones and not noticed and was walking around with ovarian torsion, the surgeon was very surprised I'd been able to function at all. I'm not soft. This can be a very difficult procedure for some, or it might not be. If you are aware of that and make a choice about the sedation that's the best way to be prepared.

Hi, i have already put my first appointment off and now due to go Saturday.  I am absolutely petrified and still dont know if i can do it .  I  really want to believe your account but why are there so many terrifying stories on here? Please say sometbing to ease my mind!

Hi! I felt exactly as you've descibed before the procedure, which is completely expected with any sort of procedure of the like. For me, the gas and air worked very well and was enough for me to relax throughout the procedure. I can only speak of my experience, as everyone is different, but I would say it was not as horrifying as others have made it out to be (personal opinion). I find a blood test is more painful than going through this. You CAN breathe throughout! You will get through it whatever you decide is the better option for you (with or without sedation).

I had the gastroscopy yesterday and opted for sedation. I have had it done without sedation 3 times before and I would definitely recommend getting sedation, as it helps you relax and let's the doctor have a good look at your stomach. It is bearable without sedation, especially when you control your breathing, but due to gagging and retching it can be quite uncomfortable. I am going through a period of anxiety and panick attack right now and was really worried about the procedure, as I was afraid I would have a panick attack in the middle of it. I discussed it with my gastroeneterologist before the procedure and he communicated my issue to the nurses who helped me a lot to calm down. They were so supportive. The waiting was the worst of it, my heart rate went up to 137 bpm at times. Within a few minutes after the doctor injected the sedative, I could not remember anything, so I have no recollection of it. Like a lot of people in this blog, the next thing I can remember is being brought back to the ward. I felt calm and spent about an hour snoozing, had some food and went back home. Please do not be afraid of it and remember to talk to your doctor about any concerns you might have. Hope this helps anyone who is worried. ️

I would always recommend sedation if you can. I had this kind of procedure several years ago and it was awful. I vowed never again. Then I ran into a situation where I had to do it again or lose the chance to get a scope I needed. Focusing on deep breathing only really does help, but I find this procedure deeply awful and honestly a bit traumatic - deep gagging and coughing and feeling that can't-breathe panic if you forget to focus on the breathing. Definitely can be done if necessary, but would never recommend forgoing anaesthesia.

I had mine yesterday and opted for just the spray.  I will NEVER have that done again without sedation.  Left feeling traumatised, bruised and battered by constant retching, Having multiple flashbacks to the point where I had to sedate myself to sleep once home.  I've had colonoscopies, colposcopies, sigmoidoscopies, and nasal endoscopies, all without anaesthetic, I would have ten of each at the same time rather than have a gastroscopy without sedation if I have to have it again.