Goodluck polly! 

Excited for you to get it over with x

Hi Polly 253.

Georgia was right the worse thing is the cannula, by the time you get that in and the drugs ,oxygen mask on your well on your way . I came back from my op and had a great cup of tea and some lovely toast didn't feel any discomfort as drugs went through the cannula before the op so I was pain free. I was feeling quite good with myself as it was all over with and I was able to relax at last the anxiety was gone for now. I was just chatting with a patient in the next cubicle when the doctor arrived to say they had taken a biopsy looked at my voice box and throat and said it's not a cyst , they are now going to do a scan of my neck and chest. It was then that I just broke down in tears.After a good cry I got dressed and was on my way home I am still no wiser after 3 months. I didn't sleep at all last night got up and took some paracetamol at 3am and have been taking them and ibrufen throughout the day but no more than the stated dose. I shall take some tonight before I go to bed. I have been ok eating it just feels a little sore at times you just have to keep on top of the pain it's bearable , it's only the day after it can only get better. will keep you posted. Please let me know how everything goes with you . X

Of course I will keep in touch why not, I too am waiting for CBT. and yes you have to wait a while. I have not heard of CAT though please please let me know what it's like , Anyway today is Friday I couldn't be bothered getting dressed it's poured with rain all day , I've looked at my throat the cyst thing is still on the tonsil. Monday I'm having a Scan on my neck and chest. X

Hello, thanks for posting your positive stories. I’ve got one on Wednesday coming, likewise I am very nervous about it. Not so much about the procedure but about the retching and gagging part as I have a bit of a phobia of being sick. Still nervous but your stories have helped settle me a little x

Hi there Fliss

Have you had your procedure? Did it go well for you? I have another week to wait and I am waking up every morning feeling sick with dread. I too am worried about the wretching.

Hope you are okay

Pollyx

Hi Everyone, 

I just wanted to share my experience of the gastroscopy I had yesterday. It wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be. In the lead up to the procedure I heard and read awful things about it so I freaked out a little. But a few days before the procedure I called the hospital and they went through it with me and reassured me I would be fine. 
 

On the day of the procedure, I had been asked not to eat for 6 hours ahead of my appointment and to only drink sips of water upto 2 hours before the appointment. When I arrived the nurse went through the necessary paperwork and asked me to put a hospital gown on on top of my clothes and then it was time for the canula. I have a fear of needles so I asked for numbing spray, which really helped.

After the canula was put in there was a short wait and then I was wheeled into the procedure room in a bed and the doctor along with two nurses were there. I was then told to open my mouth so the doctor could give me the numbing spray for the back of the throat. Some people say it tastes unpleasant, but the one I was given was banana flavoured and didn't taste bad at all. I was then asked to turn on my left side. The nurse then put a mouth guard on which is necessary to keep the mouth open. It looked a bit strange, but wasn't uncomfortable.  My throat began to numb, which was fairly unpleasant, but  I was reminded that it wasn't impacting my airways and that I could still breathe. I was then given the sedation to help relax me and the rest is history. I fortunately don't remember anything after that. 
    
For anyone worried about having the procedure done, my advice would be to let the doctor and nurse know if you're nervous so they can give you the necessary amount of sedation to relax you;  remember to concentrate on your breathing (you can breathe through your mouth and nose); and know that it only lasts 5-10 minutes so it'll all be over before you know it so don't worry! 
 

I had the procedure done yesterday and my throat is a little sore and my stomach slightly bloated, but I was told that this is expected. 
 

Best of luck to anyone having the procedure done. You'll be fine!!! I am someone who is terrified of hospitals and things going down my throat, needles (basically everything) and I found it to be completely fine. 
 

:)

I had gastroscopy and colonoscopy on same apot sedation didnt touch me gastroscopy was not bad colonoscopy was tortuure then had to go back again to have bowel polyp removed it was awful i hope i never have another one , thry even gave me more sedation and stil was bad i wonder why it works for some and not others 

Hi,

im more worried about the sedation to be honest. I hate feeling out of control! Can you tell me how long the sedation lasted? When do you come round and feel lucid again? I pondered having it without sedation!

Hi [@flipflops]‍, 

I had a few friends and family that had it without sedation (I was surprised to learn how many people have had it) and they said it was tough, but they are all the kind of people that just get on with it. They did say it wasn't pleasant and suggested that I go for sedation owing to my anxiety and fear of gagging. This was the right decision for me and the Dr will of course tailor the sedation to what you need/want. As mentioned in my previous post I had a good dose of sedation and the procedure lasted 5-10 minutes and I was back with it as they wheeled me out of the room. I rested for an hour as the sedation wore off and the dr discussed his findings with me (I felt completely in control). It wasn't long before I was up on my feet and on my way home in a taxi (with a family member). Note if you've had sedation there are a few restrictions on driving etc for 24 hours. 
 

The take away from this is do what feels right for you. If the thought of the gastroscopy doesn't bother you, but the sedation does, then do it without. However if you're unsure or anxious go for it and just let your doctor know how you feel about not being in control and ensure the dose your given allows you to relax whilst allowing you to retain an element of control.

Wishing you the best of luck with your procedure. 
 

Also for anyone reading, I've had a lot of procedures done over the past few years owing to poor health, laparoscopies, hysteescopies, colonoscopies and a gastroscopy, so if anyone has any questions on any of these I would be happy to share my experiences. :)