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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?.

OP posts:
Remaker · 15/01/2023 02:39

In the country where I live the default for colonoscopy and gastroscopy is sedation. You would have to specifically request NOT to be sedated. I’d never heard of anyone having these procedures without sedation until I joined Mumsnet! I think it sounds quite barbaric tbh.

Original poster
Jodie569 · 15/01/2023 02:40

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

Thank you I'm hoping to get sedated now. Nearly everyone on here has said the same.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jodie569 · 15/01/2023 02:42

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.

Hi Artus, how long does it take if you're not sedated?. I might not have any choice and have to drive there and back.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jodie569 · 15/01/2023 02:44

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.

Thank you, I have to take propanolol for my heart rate that's another thing worrying me about being sedated.

OP posts:
NeuroWasabi · 15/01/2023 02:45

I had a gastroscopy without sedation or throat spray. It was fine... A bit strange, but I actually found it quite interesting to watch my insides on the screen.

However I also had a 10lb baby with no pain relief, so probably high pain tolerance and don't have a strong gag reflex either. If you feel uncomfortable just swallow and breathe, you'll be fine.

Original poster
Jodie569 · 15/01/2023 02:49

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.

Thank you, I gag really easily even at the dentist last month when I had to have a back tooth out I was nearly sick.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jodie569 · 15/01/2023 02:53

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.

Hi Anna than you for replying , how long does it take when you have it done?.

OP posts:
Offleyhoo · 15/01/2023 03:05

I'd go so far as to say I think you definitely need sedation and throat spray, it's not really a choice Hope it goes well.

DailySnail · 15/01/2023 03:13

Former endoscopy nurse here.
If you gag that easily then I would strongly recommend the sedation. Generally speaking if you can have someone pick you up, you'll be able to go home pretty quickly after the procedure. If you have the throat spray you can go pretty much immediately as long as they haven't seen anything worrying.

miraveille · 15/01/2023 04:40

What is the downside of sedation?! Of course be sedated!!

Dontsparethehorses · 15/01/2023 05:05

I had one a few years ago and because I fainted when they put cannula in or took bloods (can’t actually remember which/why!) I wasn’t able to have sedation. It was fine, unpleasant but fine. Most people having it weren’t sedated and those who were definitely couldn’t leave straight away even if someone was able to take them home. It also meant I understood what was being said about the procedure after where as those who were sedated needed someone with them to take that in. I guess my point is if you decide not to have sedation don’t worry it doesn’t last too long and the reason I was there (2 week urgent cancer referral) was more important than the unpleasantness!

RoobarbandCustud · 15/01/2023 06:22

I've had this procedure with sedation and it's a breeze. I don't think I would have liked it without. The sedation is rather pleasant, it put me in a right good mood all day.

sashh · 15/01/2023 06:49

I had sedation. I'm glad I did because one thing they found was a hiatus hernia so bile was coming out of my mouth throughout the procedure.

MaverickSnoopy · 15/01/2023 07:05

I had the sedation after being very apprehensive about having an endoscopy. I have a REALLY sensitive gag reflex and was also concerned about that.

I remember being really comfortable laying down as they wheeled me through to the procedure room. Then being asked some questions and then they were asking me to lie on my side and open my mouth. I remember thinking it's too soon I'm still awake but then drifting off to a sort of spaced out sleep. I remember feeling the sensation of someone doing something but I couldn't tell you what. Then I must have had a brief period of sleep and just remember waking up back in the main ward. When I woke I felt spaced and out floaty - it felt amazing and I'd love to replicate that feeling.

I lay there for a while and then got dressed although I have no recollection of getting dressed. I remember going into a debrief room and I remember vaguely listening to the nurse talk and her asking me if I was taking in what she was saying. I thought I did at the time although later that day my recollection was patchy. My sister recorded the conversation on her phone after she had sedation, which would have been a good idea! I remember her leading me out to my husband (about an hour after waking) and feeling really spaced out still. By the time I sat in the car which was about a 10 meter walk, I was quite spaced out and giggly. I remember talking about the cows in the fields on the drive home and feeling really happy.

After the 20 minute drive home my husband guided me to the house and I went to bed. I slept a bit and then rested in bed. I was more normal but feeling very restful and slow about 6 hours after sedation (7pm). My husband had to put the children to bed although I could have done it at a push but it would have been a struggle to do it at normal speed. By the next morning I felt a bit hungover but very mild. After 24 hours I was totally back to normal.

I'm very sensitive to medication in general so perhaps my experience wasn't the same as others, who I have heard are back to normal faster. I would get sedated again, it was great in every respect. I'll record any conversations next time though!

sarahc336 · 15/01/2023 07:17

Sedation, it'll be totally fine op!!

AnnaMagnani · 15/01/2023 07:49

Jodie569 · 15/01/2023 02:53

Hi Anna than you for replying , how long does it take when you have it done?.

Show quote history

It takes minutes, they don't hang about admiring the view down there.

I was all set to have sedation but when I got there, no-one else in the waiting room was having it and they had all had loads before. So I thought, what the heck and did without.

autienotnaughty · 15/01/2023 07:51

I genuinely found it awful if I had to do it again I'd have the sedation.

lljkk · 15/01/2023 07:58

Friend had to have gastro'py repeatedly in his life. He only had it done unsedated once & was very upset by that experience. I wouldn't think twice about sedation unless you have compelling reasons to try it other way.

Original poster
Jodie569 · 15/01/2023 08:42

Remaker · 15/01/2023 02:39

In the country where I live the default for colonoscopy and gastroscopy is sedation. You would have to specifically request NOT to be sedated. I’d never heard of anyone having these procedures without sedation until I joined Mumsnet! I think it sounds quite barbaric tbh.

Hi Remaker, where are you from?. My friend said they try to convince everyone to have it without when you go.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jodie569 · 15/01/2023 08:45

DailySnail · 15/01/2023 03:13

Former endoscopy nurse here.
If you gag that easily then I would strongly recommend the sedation. Generally speaking if you can have someone pick you up, you'll be able to go home pretty quickly after the procedure. If you have the throat spray you can go pretty much immediately as long as they haven't seen anything worrying.

Thank you Dailysnail, I do gag easily so I will go for sedation. The more I read on everyones experiences. If my partner can't get me I have plenty of friends and family, just don't like to put anyone out.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jodie569 · 15/01/2023 08:47

Dontsparethehorses · 15/01/2023 05:05

I had one a few years ago and because I fainted when they put cannula in or took bloods (can’t actually remember which/why!) I wasn’t able to have sedation. It was fine, unpleasant but fine. Most people having it weren’t sedated and those who were definitely couldn’t leave straight away even if someone was able to take them home. It also meant I understood what was being said about the procedure after where as those who were sedated needed someone with them to take that in. I guess my point is if you decide not to have sedation don’t worry it doesn’t last too long and the reason I was there (2 week urgent cancer referral) was more important than the unpleasantness!

hope everything was okay? Did you faint because you don't like needles?.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jodie569 · 15/01/2023 08:48

RoobarbandCustud · 15/01/2023 06:22

I've had this procedure with sedation and it's a breeze. I don't think I would have liked it without. The sedation is rather pleasant, it put me in a right good mood all day.

My friend said it felt amazing and loved the feeling of not a care in the world.

OP posts:
holierthanthou73 · 15/01/2023 08:51

I didn’t have sedation, I did gag and get a bit panicky towards the end. Like others have said it wasn’t pleasant, but it was bearable.

Original poster
Jodie569 · 15/01/2023 08:52

MaverickSnoopy · 15/01/2023 07:05

I had the sedation after being very apprehensive about having an endoscopy. I have a REALLY sensitive gag reflex and was also concerned about that.

I remember being really comfortable laying down as they wheeled me through to the procedure room. Then being asked some questions and then they were asking me to lie on my side and open my mouth. I remember thinking it's too soon I'm still awake but then drifting off to a sort of spaced out sleep. I remember feeling the sensation of someone doing something but I couldn't tell you what. Then I must have had a brief period of sleep and just remember waking up back in the main ward. When I woke I felt spaced and out floaty - it felt amazing and I'd love to replicate that feeling.

I lay there for a while and then got dressed although I have no recollection of getting dressed. I remember going into a debrief room and I remember vaguely listening to the nurse talk and her asking me if I was taking in what she was saying. I thought I did at the time although later that day my recollection was patchy. My sister recorded the conversation on her phone after she had sedation, which would have been a good idea! I remember her leading me out to my husband (about an hour after waking) and feeling really spaced out still. By the time I sat in the car which was about a 10 meter walk, I was quite spaced out and giggly. I remember talking about the cows in the fields on the drive home and feeling really happy.

After the 20 minute drive home my husband guided me to the house and I went to bed. I slept a bit and then rested in bed. I was more normal but feeling very restful and slow about 6 hours after sedation (7pm). My husband had to put the children to bed although I could have done it at a push but it would have been a struggle to do it at normal speed. By the next morning I felt a bit hungover but very mild. After 24 hours I was totally back to normal.

I'm very sensitive to medication in general so perhaps my experience wasn't the same as others, who I have heard are back to normal faster. I would get sedated again, it was great in every respect. I'll record any conversations next time though!

Hi maverick, thank you for that detailed one, I like to know what's going to happen. It sounds really nice as I'm an anxious person, quite the like the idea of feeling like that haha. I hope everything was okay.

OP posts:
Artus · 15/01/2023 09:06

It took about five minutes. I lay on my side and the nurse knelt next to me whilst the doc did the procedure. She talked me through it and kept me calm.

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