Got my gastroscopy appointment. Scared.

[Germgirl]

I'm having a gastroscopy on 5th June. I know it's not a major procedure in the grand scheme of things but I've heard so many horror stories (online & in RL) that I'm cacking myself already. I have decided that I will have the sedation they've offered (you can either have just a throat spray or sedation) but even the thought of that scares me! I hate needles, am very veinless so it takes an age to get a venflon in & I'm worried about feeling dreadful after the sedation.
I always react badly to GA (vomiting, headache, skin rashes), will the sedation cause the same side effects?
Can anyone tell me to stop being so daft?

[ChestyNut]

I had endoscopy with sedation and honestly it was fine.

They put the sedation into the venflon and I remember thinking, well it's not doing anything......and then I was in recovery

Bit tearful when I woke but think was as it was all over, relief.

Absolutely fine, no ill effects after that at all.

[andthenthereweretwo]

I was very nervous beforehand and was pleasantly surprised how straightforward it actually was. The sedation is a benzodiazepine not an anaesthetic, I felt fine afterwards and went about my usual business. It honestly was no where near as bad as I anticipated.

[NanaNina]

I had an endoscopy without sedation as the leaflet I had from the hospital seemed to be steering patients away from sedation. My throat was sprayed with anaesthetic (the nurse said it was banana flavour!!) and the procedure was distressing - didn't last long and the nurse held my hand and head..........SO definitely have the sedation and as others have said you shouldn't have any problems.

I have 2 relatives and a friend who all had the sedation method and were fine.

[JellicleCat]

I also had an endoscopy without sedation. If I have another one I'll definitely be taking the sedation. You are making the right choice.

[KurriKurri]

I had one a few weeks ago without sedation, I would probably have the sedation next time as the procedure without it is a bit unpleasant. And the throat spray tastes foul.

I had one years ago with sedation and was totally unaware of them doing it and have no memory of it at all.
But sedation is not like GA -you might feel a bit groggy for the rest of the day (you must have someone with you to drive you home or they won't do it) but you will be fine the next day. I vomit and feel awful after GA - but am fine with sedation.

I had a bit of a sore throat for a couple of days afterwards, and was sick on the evening of the procedure, but otherwise OK.

[Germgirl]

Thank you ladies. I just hate anything medical. Ironic really seeing as I work in a hospital. If the gastroscopy goes ok I'll be having a gastric bypass op. I'll work myself into a frenzy about that one!

[Germgirl]

Well I had it done yesterday. It was horrible. The doctor refused to sedate me, saying it would take too long & because I'm a lardarse they'd not be happy about securing my airway. So I just had the throat spray, which didn't numb anything!
It seemed to take forever but was probably only about 10 minutes.
It really hurt though. Several times I thought 'I can't take this anymore' but I gritted my teeth on the mouth guard, clenched my fists so much I drew blood with my nails & let them get on with it.
I still feel very delicate, my throat feels ragged & I've been coughing up blood. My stomach hurts.
But it's done, and the results were favourable.
However. Never again!