Gastroscopy - terrified

[Norky1975]

Does anyone have experience of gastroscopy under sedation? I'm bricking it. It's ridiculous. Pushed my DD out with no drugs but I'm fucking terrified of this! Any words of experience would be much appreciated xx

I think I had Valium, it was really fine. Over also nursed people post gastroscopy, and. Everyone, even the really elderly and infirm handle it well. You will be fine op.

My top tip would be to practise breathing through your nose ... but with your mouth open!! I really struggled and if I have another I reckon I will be fine if I remind myself I can actually do that.

Also wish I'd worn a panty liner as the gagging made me piss a little ... literally 🤣🤣

Oh, and it's Midazolam that they give you, IV - I'd rather not have all the faff of needles in the back if my hand and just have 5 minutes of hell!!

I had light sedation and it was horrible. I remember everything and would never have it again!

I would say definitely have sedation and as high a dose as possible!

My top tip would be to practise breathing through your nose ... but with your mouth open!! I

But without your tongue pushed up on the roof of your mouth as the tube will prevent that. I found it impossible to breath through my nose with my tongue pushed down and trapped by the tube. Try it!!

You can cushion it just feels very unnatural and exaggerated!

I had one a couple of weeks ago without throat spray (am allergic) - it was OK - not fun but OK. Had a bit of a sore throat the next day though.
I've had one before without sedation. I had this one with sedation - the sedation made no difference whatsoever, I was totally both times. (Only difference I had a big bruise on my arm from the sedation cannula this time which still hasn't faded !)
If you have the sedation you'll need to arrange someone to take you home afterwards.

I had a gastroscopy and it was the worst procedure I’ve had in my life, so be aware not everyone sails through it. I was on my own so could only have the throat speay, which was useless. I gagged severely the whole way through it and was ‘in shock’! The gastroscope isn’t a ‘thin’ tube, it’s as thick as your thumb because it has to house a camera and the equipment needed to take the biopsy, if necessary. I can honestly say that I would NEVER elect to have this procudure done again, it was worse than having a baby, albeit quicker!!! Plus, I was distraught and crying afterwards and the hospital just said ‘ you can go now’- great aftercare ( York District Hospiral).
My best friend bad one done last month(also at York) and even though I’d impressed upon her that sedation was a must, she went ahead and had the throat spray. She wished she had listened!!! Gagged the whole way through it and said it was horrific too. Plus she has now got acid reflux which she never had before.
Only have this procedure if it’s absolutely necessary and the last resort, is my vue.

Without sedation? You must be joking!!!

To those saying you can't breathe through you mouth without pushing your tongue into the roof of you mouth - I think I pushed me tongue against the tube 👍🏻

I’m having this done with sedation on Monday. Not looking forward to it, tried to have a nasal camera one done 20+ years ago and could not cope with it.