I had this procedure today. I had the same procedure nearly 30 years ago without sedation and was not looking forward to it as I remember retching for about 3 minutes straight and being held down. I figured this time I would be mentally prepared for it so opted for the throat spray again.

To cut a long story short, the expected 3 minute procedure took 25 minutes and was the most uncomfortable and physically traumatic experience. Retching for most of the time, they took 7 biopsies and I could feel every one being taken and they hurt like hell.

The consultant came to see me after and said "next time go for the sedative". Next time!!

Now sitting at home with one hell of a sore throat, light pain inside and feels like I have PTSD.

So for anyone wondering, go for sedation and insist if they try and talk you out of it.

Hi,

I'm in my late 70's and have had 4 or 5 gastroscopys. These day my hospital gives you the choice of having sedation or not. I'm going for a gastroscopy on 15 September 2020 and I've chosen not to have sedation as it may react with prescriptions drugs I'm on.

These days they tend to give an injection of Midazelam, the effect of which last a full 24 hrs.

So no driving, going to work, rest if possible. Without sedation you can go home after the gastroscopy and lead a normal life. A nurse should ring you prior to the date of gastroscopy and go through things with you. Also, you will need a Covid 19 test a few days earlier.

Good luck.

JIM

I'm sitting in the waiting room now after just having had my gastroscopy and just wanted to share my experience after being up since 5am worrying and wishing now I hadn't googled and read all the horror stories on here! My experience was a very positive one. I chose not to have sedation as I have kids to pick up and also didn't want any of the added risks. I was given the throat spray which gave me a burning tingly sensation and tasted unpleasant. The nurses around me were lovely and reassuring and one held my hand and they talked me through the whole procedure which took about 5 minutes. The worst bit was when it first went in. I was told to swallow and had a slight gagging feeling which I was most worried about as I feel like I have quite a sensitive gag reflex. I've only just been able to train myself to swallow tablets in the last few years, but once it passed the back of my throat the feeling went. It was obviously uncomfortable and unpleasant but didn't last long and was easily bearable for me. I had to have a biopsy but didn't feel any pain whilst it was being done. I found if you kind of make sure the tube is towards the left of your throat (as they lay you on your left side) it feels better. I didn't experience pain but just uncomfortableness and a it's a horrible sensation especially when it first goes down. I just felt like I wanted to add another positive comment on here as although I know everyone experiences things differently this was so so much better than what I was imagining in my head! I asked the nurses before I went in how many go for sedation and she said it was 50/50 and I asked if she comes across people who regret not getting it and she said no. I think it's very much mind over matter. I am so pleased I didn't get sedation. The build up and anxiety I had about it beforehand was so much worse than the actual thing! I was taken into recovery afterwards for 10 minutes where they took my blood pressure and then given a drink and my results and then discharged straight after that. 

I have had two previous with just throat spray.

They were very unpleasant and difficult as I have a hiatus hernia.

Had another today and opted for throat spray and sedation.

Today with sedation was just unpleasant.

The other two with spray were difficult and traumatic.

I had a similar issue I had a panic attac mid way through and I have been told I have to go back for another but this time I need a consultant to do it ( no idea why ) and I'm already having panic attacks because of it I explained this amd told them how the sedation didn't work because of my tolerance level to morphine ( I couldn't have the full dose due to the Morphine I take ) so I asked if I could have a general anaesthetic but was told I couldn't as they needed me to be able to communicate? They are going to speak to the consultant to see if there's a stonger or different sedation I can have so could you help me did you have a general anaesthetic after all ? 

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 Telemando

I had a gastrostopy a couple of weeks ago and, being nervous at the idea of having something put down my throat, asked for sedation.  The result was that I don't recall anything about the procedure from the sedation injection to coming to in the recovery room.  So, if your friend is nervous I would recommend it.  She would need someone to take her home afterwards though, and to stay with her for 24 hours, just as if it were a general anaesthetic.

Sue

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