gastroscopy! Sedate or not?

[Jodie569]

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?.

I like the sound of that Artus just straight In done and go!

Traumatic isn't really the right word. Unpleasant I suppose. Basically, they tried to push to tube down and it went to the back of my throat and I panicked because I gag quite easily. They quickly knocked me out and I can remember nothing more about it. Take the sedation, you won't get any prizes for enduring it without.

No I’m ok with needles, I was badly dehydrated and there for constant uncontrollable vomiting - I am prone to fainting due to low blood pressure (thanks mum!) at times so who knows! I’m glad your content with your decision but if for any reason you can’t have the sedation I promise it won’t be too bad!

I’ve had two with no sedation.

In all honesty, the reasons are a bit niche - the first time, I was with my ex and we had just gotten back together and I was worried about what I might disclose when I was off my rocker 😬 and the second, they wouldn’t let me leave without a chaperone if I had the sedation and I couldn’t be doing with that on a weekday. Plus, the second time, I was able to tell myself that I’d done it before.

Anyway. It’s not nice at all but it’s also not something that particularly traumatised me. I gag all the way through but can sort of talk myself into staying calm and still. The nurses and the doctor are brilliant. They must be used to panicky patients.

One thing I will refute though is the claim that they will stop if you want them to. The first time, I had had enough at one point and sort of tried to signal this and the nurse just pinned my arm down. Since you can’t speak, I’m not sure how you could easily stop it.

I had one with sedation years ago and it was still horrible. DH had one 2 years ago and said he wasn’t having sedation, I told him he was being daft but he wouldn’t listen.
Afterwards he said I was right

Thank you, i hope you don't have to put up with all that now?. I booked mine in the morning so I don't feel faint from not eating for drinking 6 hours.

You're very brave! That's another thing that worries me if I'm sedated what I will come out with haha!.

If not sedated, do you know how long it roughly takes to do?. If it's under 5 minutes I reckon I'd be able to handle it unless it's that bad 😬. I do gag easily as well though!.

He sounds like my partner, thinks they can handle anything. I have signed to be sedated when I go in now- done this so I don't change my mind.

It’s one of those things that doesn’t take long but it feels longer because it’s uncomfortable. I honestly don’t know the duration. I suspect it’s more like 10-15 minutes but it’s all a time warp!

You can do it. But equally, if you’d rather be sedated, there’s no reason not to be. And I’m sure neither of us would say anything coherent anyway! 😂

I've had two without sedation. They were absolutely fine and I got up and left immediately.
The tube is down your throat literally minutes. Personally I find smear tests far worse 😆

Thank you. I use to have smears every 6 months for 10 years, that's a breeze lol. I am brave when it comes to stuff like this I'm
not scared, the only thing is- I gag easily. If it's less than 5 mins I reckon il be fine 😬

Don't be a martyr - have the sedation. I've had both ends and don't recall a thing.

Well I had it this morning chose no sedation... it was the worse 3 minutes of my Im definitely choosing sedation next time lol. All good though nothing seen and took biopsy from
Stomach- thanks everyone for your advice.