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, 

Sorry to hear of your loss. I can imagine it's an extremely stressful time for you. My GP hasn't had any further results back from the hospital other than an update on how the procedure went. I spoke with my GP who said to call the hospital directly or wait a few weeks. I'm just assuming that it can't be anything serious as I'm sure I'd have had those results by now. Hope all went well for you with the procedure. 

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.

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.