Have you ever had the camera down yout throat? Was it an OK experience?

Original poster

Soretummyagain · 06/02/2025 10:16

Did you need to be sedated ?

OP posts:

KiffyKiffyKiffy · 06/02/2025 10:17

I was sedated and don't remember a thing.

CitadelofRicks · 06/02/2025 10:18

Yes, no sedation but it was fine. I’ve also had it up my nose and my ahem back passage and those were way more uncomfortable. You’ll be ok 😊

cheezmonster · 06/02/2025 10:19

I haven't had it personally but know someone who has to have it regularly - he says it's not the most comfortable thing but it's not something to worry about either.

LemonBlondie · 06/02/2025 10:20

Yes, had a gastroscopy a few years ago. I had the sedation, it was all totally fine from start to finish. You feel sleepy and only half aware of what's going on. I have virtually no memory of the procedure itself, just being in the room and 'coming round' a bit afterwards.
All very quick, I'd say half an hour or so.

TulipTuesday · 06/02/2025 10:21

I had to have an ERCP a couple of weeks ago. I was absolutely petrified but the sedation knocked me out very quickly and the only thing I vaguely remember is a feeling of plastic in my mouth very briefly at the end.

MarkingBad · 06/02/2025 10:22

I had one down my throat no sedation and it took several nurses to hold me down. I hated it.

If you can behave when in discomfort it is only discomfort and unpleasant but not usually painful except for a sore throat for a couple of days after. I can't behave so I need sedation.

I had a nose one too and that was a completely different experience.

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 06/02/2025 10:22

Twice, no sedation as that gets it over with a bit more quickly. It's not exactly pleasant, but provided you can keep in mind that you are not going to choke no matter what your body is telling you, then it's bearable.

Pegsmum · 06/02/2025 10:23

I’ve had it but with sedation and it was ok, I am in awe of those who can do it without sedation!

HotCrossBunplease · 06/02/2025 10:25

I’ve had gastroscopies under sedation. It’s fine, the sedation works and you aren’t aware.

I have absolutely no idea what the PP is saying about only being able to get sedation if you “can’t behave”…? It was taken as read that sedation was standard.

janeandmarysmum · 06/02/2025 10:25

Yes - I was terrified beforehand. I had sedation and don't remember anything about it.

LauraNorda · 06/02/2025 10:26

I just had the numbing spray. The procedure is not comfortable but it is not painful either.

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 06/02/2025 10:27

HotCrossBunplease · 06/02/2025 10:25

I’ve had gastroscopies under sedation. It’s fine, the sedation works and you aren’t aware.

I have absolutely no idea what the PP is saying about only being able to get sedation if you “can’t behave”…? It was taken as read that sedation was standard.

Nope.

Sedation is the exception in a lot of Trusts, and only normally for nervous patients.

Most of the time the best they will offer is a bit of numbing spray and then nasal insertion. I prefer standard oral because it means I can be in and out in 15 minutes with no faffing about.

MarkingBad · 06/02/2025 10:27

HotCrossBunplease · 06/02/2025 10:25

I’ve had gastroscopies under sedation. It’s fine, the sedation works and you aren’t aware.

I have absolutely no idea what the PP is saying about only being able to get sedation if you “can’t behave”…? It was taken as read that sedation was standard.

I had 6 nurses holding me down so I took up way more staff time than if I'd had sedation which they wouldn't allow because I lived alone at the time so I had to go no sedation

Hoppinggreen · 06/02/2025 10:34

I had sedation and I am sorry but it was really really awful anyway

HotCrossBunplease · 06/02/2025 10:34

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 06/02/2025 10:27

Nope.

Sedation is the exception in a lot of Trusts, and only normally for nervous patients.

Most of the time the best they will offer is a bit of numbing spray and then nasal insertion. I prefer standard oral because it means I can be in and out in 15 minutes with no faffing about.

Show quote history

well most people will be nervous won’t they?

No sedation sounds barbaric. Like I said, it was never even discussed for me (a London Trust).

Birdbox181 · 06/02/2025 10:36

I would recommend having the sedation. I didn't and it really wasn't a very pleasant experience. Not painful but very uncomfortable.

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 06/02/2025 10:56

HotCrossBunplease · 06/02/2025 10:34

well most people will be nervous won’t they?

No sedation sounds barbaric. Like I said, it was never even discussed for me (a London Trust).

Show quote history

Would they?

It doesn't bother me because it's a totally harmless and temporary experience, therefore there is no reason to be nervous, but whether or not "most" people would feel different I do not know. I can only go by my own frame of reference.

There's nothing "barbaric" about it. It's totally painless and has no lasting ill-effect, hence why the majority of Trusts view sedation as a needless complication. It's unpleasant, yes, but then what's more "barbaric"? A few minutes of discomfort, or needlessly drugging people?

mindutopia · 06/02/2025 10:59

I was sedated with the throat spray and hate to say but probably the most unpleasant thing I’ve had done. I’d much rather have a colonoscopy. And I’d probably request to have it under GA if I ever had to do it again. That said, sedation doesn’t do much for me. Even at my colonoscopy, they cranked it up to the max dose they could give me, and it was still quite painful and I was very aware of everything.

Needmoresleep89 · 06/02/2025 11:03

I had the numbing spray and it was okay. I was a bit panicky but a lovely nurse held my hand. I was shaking afterwards and didn’t feel myself, but no pain or discomfort. Just remember you can still breathe.

They tried the nasal route first but apparently I have very narrow nasal passages and the tiny camera wouldn’t fit through. That was the most painful part!

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 06/02/2025 11:07

Needmoresleep89 · 06/02/2025 11:03

I had the numbing spray and it was okay. I was a bit panicky but a lovely nurse held my hand. I was shaking afterwards and didn’t feel myself, but no pain or discomfort. Just remember you can still breathe.

They tried the nasal route first but apparently I have very narrow nasal passages and the tiny camera wouldn’t fit through. That was the most painful part!

That's why I had oral insertion. Getting it over the esophagus is apparently easier with nasal insertion, hence why it's the default, but I found it far more uncomfortable and unpleasant so asked them to stop attempting it.

TheThreeCheesesOfTheApocalypse44 · 06/02/2025 11:08

I've had it without and without sedation......tbh the sedation didn't work that well for me. I was fully aware the whole time.

Opted not to bother the second time as they struggled to get a canula in so decided it wasn't worth the hassle. Also meant I didn't have to be picked up afterwards which was a bonus. It was fine, it's more of a mind over matter thing but the staff are there to offer reassurance and talk you through it.

mummersintheattic · 06/02/2025 11:27

It was not an OK thing for rme. I wouldn't hesitate to ask for sedation.

AnnPerkins · 06/02/2025 11:30

I had it without sedation because I was driving myself home. They wouldn't let you drive if you'd had sedation.

It was thankfully a quick procedure and mostly not too bad, after that moment of panic when you think you're going to choke. It's better if you can relax, which is always easier said than done.

Uricon2 · 06/02/2025 11:32

Sedation didn't work for me (or several other people I talked to in recovery, we did raise it with nurses who took it seriously)

However, even with massive tonsils and a severe gag reflex it was nowhere near as bad as I expected and was over quite quickly. I think trying to relax as much as possible, while not easy, is key.