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

[Soretummyagain]

Did it take long ?

I can't remember how long it took as I was a bit zoned out due to choosing sedation
I was very scared beforehand but, the event itself was far from the nightmare I imagined.
Go for sedation OP imo

My adult son had one without sedation and told me afterwards that if he ever needed one again he'd have sedation as it was horrible.

When I needed one I took his advice and had the sedation and it was absolutely fine.

My tip, take the sedation. I found it pretty unpleasant. Don't know what it's like with sedation though.

Clearly you can get through it, but it wasn't a nice experience. I just kept trying to heave.

Have had several gastroscopies. The first time I refused sedation and just went with the throat spray.

Big mistake. Huge.

I've had it with and without sedation, without was absolutely horrendous, with sedation, I didn't remember a thing. No way would I have it again without sedation.

Yes, had a colonoscopy at the same appointment.

They numb your throat and the camera must be very tiny. I had sedation as I was worried about gagging not being able to tolerate the camera and stressed about both procedures and both were fine. The lighting in the room was dimmed, they had music on and all the staff were exceptionally lovely and did utmost to help you feel as comfortable and dignified as poss to get you through the necessary procedure.

I’ve had it with no sedation.
I was terrified beforehand. One word of warning DO NOT look at it before they put it in. I remember feeling scared but thinking I’m more scared that there could be something growing, so I just had to do it.

They use a spray to kind of numb the back of your throat (not as scary as it sounds in reality). You have to swallow the camera as they push it in. They also can’t remove it quickly if you change your mind. I did have my gag reflex going off madly the entire time, but wasn’t sick. The gagging against it actually helps a bit, strangely. You can breathe fine as it is happening.It felt like a bit of an ordeal, but once it was over I felt good about myself that I’d managed to do it.

I couldn’t tell you how long it took to do because your brain doesn’t even think of that when it’s happening. I also wouldn’t want to have it again. It’s not painful, it’s just not pleasant.

I tried twice and just couldn't,so needed to be sedated.

Couldn’t you have got a taxi?

Well aren’t you the big brave soldier? Why is it needless drugging? They used to do abdominal surgery with just a branch to bite down on before chloroform was invented, not everyone died. So I guess most generals are “needless drugging” too…

Have the sedation, I didn't and wouldn't have the procedure again unless sedated.

It wasn’t fun and I wouldn’t be in queue to have it done again but needs must. I couldn’t have sedation as I had a three mile walk home then an immediate school run to do and then kids to look after so there was no reasonable way of elongating the appointment or putting me out of action. Again needs must.

It will be fine I’m sure.

It's "needless drugging" if it's policy to sedate absolutely everyone regardless of need, hence why a lot of Trusts only offer if it's specifically requested.

It's not about being "brave", it's just a question of how different people view it. I'd far rather have a few minutes of discomfort than be sedated, but that's fine for me because I'm in no way perturbed by the prospect of gastroscopy. Of course people who feel differently should make whatever choice suits them, but it's still in no way "barbaric" to expect most people to be able to tolerate a few minutes of discomfort rather than be administered an anaesthetic.

It's not painful, it doesn't cause any damage so there is no healing involved, and it's over as soon as the probe is withdrawn, so again, for a lot of people sedation would just be a wholly unnecessary and unwelcome extrapolation of the unpleasantness.

Yes no sedation as I had to drive home, it's a mind over matter thing, I was ok until they were bringing it back up.
Wouldn't do it again without sedation though.

I had one this week. I'd previously had an attempt at it with just the throat spray and found it very difficult. This time I got the throat spray plus sedation and found it much easier. Takes around 10 mins. I remember gagging a little but it was bearable with the sedation.

I had a couple of attempts without sedation, which I found unbearable - no matter how much I tried to relax, the gag reflex was just too strong. Luckily, the nurse preparing me had put a canula in "just in case", so they were able to give me sedation there and then. Even with sedation, I found it unpleasant, but I was sort of also floaty and uncaring at the time - an odd combination! Luckily, once sedated it was over very quickly, and the staff were very kind and supportive. I would never have another one without sedation.

So fine, if anyone doesn’t want to be sedated they can opt out.

I was absolutely terrified about mine but opted for sedation and was fine. If so had to have another one, I wouldn’t lose sleep over it but would definitely opt to be sedated again.

No, you should not have to "opt out" of something which in a large proportion of cases is not only wholly unnecessary to begin with but also increases risk, which is why it is, and should remain, opt in.

Jesus, “given the choice” then.

I've had it twice.

First time, with no sedation, was quite honestly one of the most horrific experiences of my life! As another PP has said, it took two nurses to hold me down 😨

Second time I had the sedation and it was brilliant. I have absolutely no memory of the procedure whatsoever...apparently I was very compliant and did everything I was asked to do, as you are still awake, but whatever it is they use to sedate you means that you don't feel or remember anything at all.

If you have a choice, take the sedation 👌🏻

I had it done twice a few months ago, once with NHS and once in a private hospital. I had sedation both times. I fell asleep each time by the time they put a mouth guard in and the next thing I remembered I was already out. It was absolutely painless.

Yep sorry but this was my experience too. I had sedation but only a low dose as I have low blood pressure so perhaps that made it worse. But I couldn't stop gagging, it was awful. They were telling me to breathe but it didn't help and I heard one of the nurses say 'she can't tolerate it.' They did manage to get 3 samples and they wanted to do one more and I said no. I do have a terrible gag reflex and sometimes gag even just using the toothbrush on my tongue so it could possible just be me. You may well be fine OP.

No.