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Original poster

Gastroscopy without sedation

59 replies

ICantThinkOfAUsernameH · 27/11/2015 11:19

I'm due to have one and not allowed sedation due to being pregnant.
All I've read is horror stories and I'm so nervous!
Someone please say it's not that bad without sedation?!

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Original poster
ICantThinkOfAUsernameH · 27/11/2015 22:55

That's good advice :) does vomiting ever happen? Blush

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StarfrightMcFangsie · 27/11/2015 22:57

I think it can but you should have nothing in your stomach so more like retching.

Kewcumber · 27/11/2015 22:59

The sedation doesn't work on me so I've had a couple without. Can you have nitrous oxide gas when pregnant?

Biopsy is just a mildly uncomofrtable pinch, its the sensation of having the tube in your throat thats the bigger problem. Careful slow deep breathing and hopefully it'll be over pretty quickly.

ursuslemonade · 27/11/2015 23:00

Shouldn't as your stomach meant to be empty. Just gag like crazy. Well I did but hope your experience will be different.
Mine really hurt, biopsy as well...Was a really long 2 minutes.(nurse kept saying 60 sec left-a few times...) But then you get to walk out not ling after and just forget about it. Good luck!

Original poster
ICantThinkOfAUsernameH · 29/11/2015 19:05

Thank you, keeping my fingers crossed for no bile or gagging!

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StarfrightMcFangsie · 30/11/2015 10:53

I was told it will be around 7 minutes. That seems way too long to me. Sad

I expect I'll try self hypnosis by breathing and trying to sing the words of a well known song in my head. If I allow myself to think about what is happening I'll retch. I'm already retching several times a day just thinking about it.

Original poster
ICantThinkOfAUsernameH · 30/11/2015 15:50

7 mins sounds ages actually :( I'll try the singing in head thing it's a good idea

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maggiso · 30/11/2015 16:17

The advantage of having it without sedation is once the spray has worn off and you can drink safely (minutes) you can get straight back on with life (driving/ looking after kids whatever) with no ill effects ( except perhaps a slightly achy throat). I did not like it much but it was only a few minutes. I think everyone has to lie on their left side for this procedure. It helps to concentrate on your breathing- and just get it over with. I think I was given tea and toast before they would let me home. There was quite a bit of waiting around before hand so it may be useful to have something distracting to read or do on your phone. I always think it helps to know whaty to espect. --You get into a gown- wait around- get called in - get throat spray (or not) lie down on your left side, open mouth ( they put a teeth guard in) then get you to swallow the tube,(which cause a bit of retching more than discomfort -its a reflex) have a rummage around (odd sensation) then come out and its all over suddenly.
Good luck. The thought is worse.

StarfrightMcFangsie · 30/11/2015 16:57

Thank you Magiso. I have over the past week learned a new skill, the art of vomiting on demand simply through thinking about it. Could come in handy the next time I get good poisoning Hmm. I know from that I'm going to have to try REALLY hard to control my thoughts, making sedation really out of the question.

StarfrightMcFangsie · 02/12/2015 07:14

Mine is tomorrow. What happens if you come down with a cough/cold that totally blocks your nose?

Original poster
ICantThinkOfAUsernameH · 02/12/2015 08:33

Good luck! I think it may be re arranged if that's a case? Give the unit a ring to see?

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StarfrightMcFangsie · 02/12/2015 10:38

Thank you. I seem to be able to breath at the moment. I'd rather not postpone. It's been a horrible 2 weeks.

millymae · 02/12/2015 11:12

Throwing in my twopennyworth here in case it helps. I chose to have one without sedation and it was fine - I wouldn't hesitate to do the same again if I had to have another.

A quick blast of the throat spray, a big swallow and it the camera was on its way down. The nurse was lovely and the Consultant talked me throughout the whole procedure. He pointed out the hiatus hernia that was the cause of my problems and I didn't feel the biopsies being taken. I was up and back at work within 30 minutes, after having had a cup of tea and piece of toast!

I'm lucky in that I'm not an overly anxious person and that I have no problem with my gag reflex. I'm also one of those who will avoid taking medication of any kind if I can, so for me the decision not to have sedation was a fairly easy one.

StarfrightMcFangsie · 02/12/2015 11:43

Oh milly Could you do mine for me please?

LOL. Thank you though. That is very reassuring.

StarfrightMcFangsie · 03/12/2015 11:53

Just finished, waiting for paperwork!

OMG, it wasn't half as bad as I expected.

It's more annoying than anything else. Having a tube down you throat is annoying. It's not painful, and it wasn't scary.

I was given permission to halt it and the nurse holding my head steady asked permission if she coukd. I didn't feel pinned down.

The one gag on the way down was kind of used to get it down quick and one on the way up to get it out quick.

Each gag was kind of okay, not like choking. Not a lot worse than a burp.

You definitely have to control your thoughts though. I got to see the screen which distracted as well as the ABBA playing on the radio.

My brother also taught me to squeeze my thmb in my left hand really tight whilst relaxing rest of body. He said it relaxes your gag reflex. No idea whether it was bollox but it did seem to help

gamerchick · 03/12/2015 11:58

Really happy to read that Grin you get to see the screen as well? I could go for that.

UptownFunk00 · 03/12/2015 12:09

Not the same but had a colonoscopy whilst BFing so advised to not sedate. It was uncomfortable but not unbearable.

gingeroots · 03/12/2015 13:15

Yay - well done Starfright !

Original poster
ICantThinkOfAUsernameH · 03/12/2015 13:50

Ah fab news starfright it's made me at ease for tomorrow :)
Did they give you results after? Did it last long?

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StarfrightMcFangsie · 03/12/2015 13:55

Thanks. If you don't go for sedation make sure they know it is your first time. I think it is a unusual choice for a first-timer and the were speedy until they realised, then slowed down and explained more. Also the measure your heart rate the whole time and they seem to at least partly use it to monitor your comfort and so stop for a bit or offer reassurance if it increases etc.

Oh, and the thing goes down the right side of your throat rather than the middle.

I can't say I'd jump with joy for another go, but I'd put up with again easily. And honestly, I'm a proper wimp.

StarfrightMcFangsie · 03/12/2015 13:59

It wasn't that long, but I think it might have been longer than usual because I was ok iyswim. They did an awful lot of searching around and I get the impression the thoroughness was because I was okay.

I got a brief explanation from the person who did it, and then more of a debrief from a nurse afterwards.

I was a bit shaky afterwards I think because of the relief but that didn't last long.

BoxofSnails · 03/12/2015 14:01

You can breathe through your mouth Starlight so don't let that defer if you've been waiting anxiously.
ICant it's really not that awful - given how much you have retched thru hyperemesis a gastroscopy will be a drop in the ocean. Best of luck.

BoxofSnails · 03/12/2015 14:02

Sorry Starlight hadn't read to the end of the thread. Really well done for getting thru it

StarfrightMcFangsie · 03/12/2015 15:59

No problem box

Good luck tomorrow Ican't. I hope you get staff as kind and manage to focus well on something as a distraction.

Original poster
ICantThinkOfAUsernameH · 04/12/2015 07:34

So nervous :( barely slept (about an hour). Roll on 8.15!

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