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Original poster

gastroscopy! Sedate or not?

63 replies

Jodie569 · 14/01/2023 19:27

Hi, I have a gastroscopy booked In soon and I'm torn between getting sedated or not?. Some of my friends have said no it's a not that bad and some said I must be sedated because it's traumatic!. I don't really want to be sedated but also don't want to regret it. Can anyone tell me their experience please so it makes it easier to decide?.

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FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 14/01/2023 19:30

I'd go for sedation, but I had sedation for keyhole surgery on my eye and it was lovely. I was aware of what was going on and capable of holding a conversation I was just extremely calm and didn't care that someone was cutting into my eye. I was chatting away with the nurses about holidays and what a lovely summer it had been.

Ask for light sedation with the possibility to increase it if you need them to. Mine was only light sedation so there was no recovery time needed afterwards and I was in a taxi on my way home 30 mins after the surgery ended.

Original poster
Jodie569 · 14/01/2023 22:28

Thank you, my friend said the same. You’re very brave having surgery on your eye awake, hope it’s okay now?. I am steering more towards sedation now. I didn’t realise how many people I know have had this done.

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AnnaMagnani · 14/01/2023 22:31

It's not that bad although I recall at the end feeling that I Had Had Enough.

I had the throat spray and don't think I'd bother with it again, it makes your throat feel weird.

Worst bit is the hideous wind afterwards as you are full of air.

Warspite · 14/01/2023 22:37

I chose not to be sedated.
I had the throat spray.
My throat did not feel any different after the procedure.
I talked to myself telling myself to relax and swallow when told to do so. Gagged a little bit.
The entire process was a bit uncomfortable because it’s something a bit alien in an alien dimly lit space but 30 mins later I was in my car driving home.
No sweat, no drama.
Mind over matter.
Feel the fear and do it anyway.
You've got this!

MyGirlDaisy · 14/01/2023 22:43

DH has had 4. First 3 with just the throat spray. Last one he chose sedation, he has to have them every few years. Said he will always go for sedation now.

Appin · 14/01/2023 22:47

I had sedation, which was lovely. Drifted off to sleep whilst they were getting the tube etc in place. Just as I put on the mouthpiece and started to feel a bit anxious, I fell asleep. Woke up in recovery and felt absolutely fine. I've had some fairly invasive procedures which have been traumatic, and I always go for sedation now!

talkingmorenonsense · 14/01/2023 22:48

Definitely go for sedation, otherwise it could be horrendous.

Tunnocks2022 · 14/01/2023 22:49

I’m wasn’t sedated, I thought it was horrific. Wouldn’t go through it again without being sedated

SallyWD · 14/01/2023 22:51

My mum had one recently with sedation and said it was fine. Was glad she had the sedation.

Tarrarra · 14/01/2023 22:52

I had an gastroscopy without sedation and vowed never to do it again. I have a strong gag reflex and it was a horrible experience.

CaraVann · 14/01/2023 22:56

I’ve had a few and have always gone for just the throat spray so I could leave asap but during the last one my heart rate went very high. Next time I’ll go for the sedation. Saying that though, it’s over so quickly. Good luck, hope it goes well.

Artus · 14/01/2023 22:57

I've had one recently without sedation. I was talked through the procedure by two amazing nurses but also told I could stop at any point and have the sedation if I needed it. It wasn't pleasant but bearable.

PieonaBarm · 14/01/2023 23:03

My Mum had a few of these, the first without and afterwards she had sedation every time, she said she knew what was happening but was just so much calmer about it and would tell everyone to have sedation

SantaCarlaCalifornia · 14/01/2023 23:06

I've had one which they tried to do while awake as I was pregnant, but they had to sedate me in the end.
I'd 100% go for the sedation.

Yodabrussel · 14/01/2023 23:08

I've had two and sedated for both. Unless there is a reason you can't have sedation, I'd go for it as it'll just make the whole process so much easier - you won't really be able to recall it for one, and will probably just go to sleep or be super relaxed. Nice !

Rainbow1901 · 14/01/2023 23:12

DH recently had a colonoscopy and was offered Gas and Air or sedation.

He went for the sedation - it just made him relaxed but quite able to move around when they asked him to and chat to the doctor and nurses.

It does mean that you need to have someone take you or at least pick you up from the hospital and stay with you for upto 12 hours afterwards

Comedyusername · 14/01/2023 23:14

Sedation every time!

InTheFutilityRoomEatingBiscuits · 14/01/2023 23:14

I couldn’t have sedation, as I was on my own, had walked to the hospital, needed to walk back home again (3 miles) and had to leave straight after, collect my dc from school/look after them then drive to work the next morning and so on.

sedation means you need to stay longer, have someone with you, you can’t realistically walk home and you aren’t supposed to drive either for at least 24 hours, so it’s a lot bigger deal

JustDanceAddict · 14/01/2023 23:22

Yes! I had one recently and was out for the count. Don’t remember a thing. As long as you have someone to pick you up afterwards it’s fine.,

Original poster
Jodie569 · 15/01/2023 02:28

InTheFutilityRoomEatingBiscuits · 14/01/2023 23:14

I couldn’t have sedation, as I was on my own, had walked to the hospital, needed to walk back home again (3 miles) and had to leave straight after, collect my dc from school/look after them then drive to work the next morning and so on.

sedation means you need to stay longer, have someone with you, you can’t realistically walk home and you aren’t supposed to drive either for at least 24 hours, so it’s a lot bigger deal

That's really brave of you, this is the problem I have too because my other half is saying he might not be able to get out of work. I don't have anyone else and have children.

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Original poster
Jodie569 · 15/01/2023 02:30

JustDanceAddict · 14/01/2023 23:22

Yes! I had one recently and was out for the count. Don’t remember a thing. As long as you have someone to pick you up afterwards it’s fine.,

Im hoping my partner will but if he can't I will have to drive back it's quite far from where we live.

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Original poster
Jodie569 · 15/01/2023 02:30

Comedyusername · 14/01/2023 23:14

Sedation every time!

That's what most have said 😬

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Original poster
Jodie569 · 15/01/2023 02:31

Rainbow1901 · 14/01/2023 23:12

DH recently had a colonoscopy and was offered Gas and Air or sedation.

He went for the sedation - it just made him relaxed but quite able to move around when they asked him to and chat to the doctor and nurses.

It does mean that you need to have someone take you or at least pick you up from the hospital and stay with you for upto 12 hours afterwards

Are you able to go home straight after if your partner is ready to pick you up?

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Original poster
Jodie569 · 15/01/2023 02:33

Yodabrussel · 14/01/2023 23:08

I've had two and sedated for both. Unless there is a reason you can't have sedation, I'd go for it as it'll just make the whole process so much easier - you won't really be able to recall it for one, and will probably just go to sleep or be super relaxed. Nice !

Thank you I'm just hoping my partner can pick me up so I can have it.

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Original poster
Jodie569 · 15/01/2023 02:37

SantaCarlaCalifornia · 14/01/2023 23:06

I've had one which they tried to do while awake as I was pregnant, but they had to sedate me in the end.
I'd 100% go for the sedation.

was it traumatic before being sedated? this is what is worrying me if I decided not to and then I regret it as they put the tube in.

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