Thanks everyone who has posted here. I read them all before I had a gastroscopy today, and my experience was similar to Rich1175.

I was most worried about constant gagging, since I'm pretty bad with even just a covid test. I decided not to have sedation. The throat numbing spray was almost the worst bit, causing gagging and retching. Once the tube was in, I retched from time to time but the staff were very kind and reassuring and distracted me with funny conversation. I would compare the experience with when you're being really sick and frequently retching with nothing coming up. It's nasty but bearable for a couple of minutes. 

Overall I would say yes it is a nasty experience, but not unbearably so. You will be OK. 

I went through an endoscopy today. I read this forum with all the horror stories and opted for sedation. Two nurses tried both arms & hands but neither could find a vein so I was left with no option but to go for the throat spray.

Looking back now I'd definitely choose that option again. Yes it is really uncomfortable but it's over in about 3 minutes so just keep telling yourself that. You can't really swollow but you know it'll be over really quick. For me the procedure itself wasn't anywhere near as bad as I expected. If I needed another for any reason I'd certainly go with the throat spray again and would advise my family to do the same.

To be feeling myself half hour later it was worth putting up with some discomfort. For me it's just mind over matter and with some slow & steady breathing through my nose I found it acceptable.

I had a gastroscopy last Saturday . 
I had sedation but it didn't put me out I remember everything , I even watched it all on the screen . I felt all the biopsies being taken but I didn't panic . 
They said I did really well . 
waiting for results .

I am so pleased I read the posts here. I have had endoscopic and HALO treatments, all with sedation, so endorse the positive comments.  I am due to go for another routine check up endoscopy next week and was considering having just the throat spray to save time, but having read the mostly horrendous experiences of some of you, I am not going to risk it! No way. The thought of retching is bad enough but choking sensations would produce real panic and probably halt the procedure. Because of Covid, I had to wait a year for this appointment,  so don't  want to mess up. 

Hi,

Just remember you may have the same experience with sedation. You may not remember it later or you may do. I've had two using the throat spray and gagged a lot more on the second one even though I knew what was coming. I'm not easily sedated which is why I've not tried it for this procedure. It doesnt last long and you can just go home afterwards.

Yes and it's an advantage not hanging around in Recovery, but I am more concerned about possibly  going into a panic and having the procedure halted . It can't be easy trying to take pictures of the gullet if the patient is squirming around.! I think I shall go prepared to have my mind changed  but ready for sedation as the fasting etc is the same requirement and I can get other half to pick up at short notice. 

Had it twice - sedated both times. A breeze. Second time was awake till they put a rubber thing in my mouth and I thought, 'Oh God the sedation hasn't worked! I'm going to be awake!' Moment of horror then, two seconds later it seemed, I heard somebody say, 'It's over!' No memory whatsoever of the procedure. Don't be a hero! Sedation every time! 

I would agree, but yesterday I had the endoscopy (now the 3rd), received the sedation( 2mg. Midazolam) just before the procedure began and I too thought it wasn't going to work. The strangest thing was that unlike the previous times, when I ,like you, found myself in Recovery being asked if I wanted a cuppa, I felt everything that was happening and though it was just uncomfortable, I gagged several times, which was an awful feeling as it also felt like choking. Yet the sedation must have worked  at a certail level, because I felt strangely disembodied! I also didn't have the throat spray and last time I am almost sure I had both the spray and sedation. Altogether very weird. I don't know why I didn't ask the Reovery nurse about the experience- I think I just wanted to have my tea and toast and get out.  Any one else experienced this feeling of having  beein givien the sedation, but feeling as if one hadn't?

I had an upper endoscopy procedure yesterday with sedation.. At end of March I had one without sedation.  It was difficult but I managed it.  Yesterday they seemed to fire sedation into me and start straightaway.  I did not feel relaxed and I think they started much too soon.  I really struggled with them and was trying to pull the equipment out.  Not a good experience at all.  Most disappointing.

You can have a general anaesthetic,  it just costs a lot more that's why they don't normally offer it as an option.