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Original poster

Gastroscopy

15 replies

Notaboutthebass · 05/05/2023 21:18

I've been referred by my doctor. I'm having this done next week and would prefer without sedation. I'm quite a tough and calm person, but am I doing the wrong thing opting for no sedation?
Also I had a call from the hospital to arrange this appointment this afternoon and I've not had chance to ask questions, and now it's Friday night - typically!

  1. Do I need to stop iron and omeprazole tablets now until after the procedure? What about vitamins, immunosuppressants, Hydroxychloroquine?
  2. I know I need to stop eating 6 hours before, but how much water can I drink?
  3. How long will I be there without sedation? Anything else I need to know? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!
OP posts:
spiggydit · 05/05/2023 22:08

I had a gastroscopy a year or so ago...

  1. I was told to stop taking omeprazole for the week before but no other drugs
  2. Was allowed to drink water up to 2 hours before the procedure
  3. I had sedation and had to wait around 45 min post procedure but did have to be picked up by a responsible adult! If I'd not had sedation I'd have been sent home not long after the procedure and able to travel independently
IAmNotOkay · 05/05/2023 22:08

DH had no sedation and said it was fine. He was in & out quickly.

Friend has had two, the first without sedation and said she would never do it without sedation again. She had to stay for at least 4 hours after the procedure with sedation, and have someone at home with her for 24 hours. Single parent so had a nightmare trying to arrange someone to stay with her.

No clue on the other questions, sorry. Hopefully someone will be along who can answer.

AbigHoleinmybucket · 05/05/2023 22:36

I had one in Feb. I had sedation and was out quickly. Hardly felt a thing.

Just needed someone to take me home and stay with me for 24 hours but I felt fine afterwards.

I've heard it's quite unpleasant not having it.

AbigHoleinmybucket · 05/05/2023 22:37

BTW, I only stayed about 30 mins after sedation, if that.

SuzieSheep22 · 05/05/2023 22:39

spiggydit · 05/05/2023 22:08

I had a gastroscopy a year or so ago...

  1. I was told to stop taking omeprazole for the week before but no other drugs
  2. Was allowed to drink water up to 2 hours before the procedure
  3. I had sedation and had to wait around 45 min post procedure but did have to be picked up by a responsible adult! If I'd not had sedation I'd have been sent home not long after the procedure and able to travel independently

Defo go for sedation

Exaspa · 05/05/2023 23:07

Go for sedation (personal experience) but you will need someone to pick you up and stay with you for 24 hours afterwards.

What day is your procedure? You should have a pre op, probably a phone conversation these days, with the nurse so you can ask your questions directly. Maybe give them a call first thing Tuesday? Also your hospital will probably have a patient leaflet somewhere on their gastro pages explaining the procedure. All the best for the procedure itself, it's very common.

2023usernameNew · 05/05/2023 23:12

I had it with just an oral sedative as my fear of needles is greater than the procedure itself.

I gagged and burped a little but it was over soon, just really concentrated on breathing through my nose.

the procedure doesn’t take longer than 10 minutes and other than the discomfort, it’s not painful at all.

Fiddlersgreen · 05/05/2023 23:13

Yes stop iron tablets and Omeprazole too.
Your hospital should have an info leaflet on their website for you to read.
If not, try another trust as the information will be very similar regarding medication and the procedure itself.
sedation is really a personal choice but if you have someone available to collect you and stay with you for 24 hours then maybe don’t limit your options but deciding now that you don’t want the sedation. If you don’t have it you can usually leave pretty much straight after, maybe 15 mins or so.

Fiddlersgreen · 05/05/2023 23:14

Regarding water, my trust advises that you can drink water up to 2 hours before the appointment time, then completely nil by mouth

Eqs · 05/05/2023 23:16

I’ve done with and without sedation. If you have someone to pick you up after then I recommend the sedation. It’s just about bearable without but actually makes it more tricky for the consultant and they feel more pressure to be done quickly - I’d rather they felt they had the time to have a darn good look!

TheShellBeach · 05/05/2023 23:17

Definitely have the sedation, and the throat spray, too.

Original poster
Notaboutthebass · 06/05/2023 09:29

Wow thank you everyone. I posted and then forgot, what with the rushed appointment and Friday mayhem!
Really appreciate the replies and view points very much!

OP posts:
Original poster
Notaboutthebass · 06/05/2023 09:30

It's on Wednesday. I'll stop those meds straight away. Thank you.

OP posts:
polkadotdalmation · 06/05/2023 10:36

I had it with sedation and it wasn't nice. Still remember the horrible sensation of the tube going down. Without would be horrendous I think

Sudokufail · 07/05/2023 09:34

Another vote for sedation. I've had a lot of these and I now have to ask for additional sedation because I've become scared of them. Hope it goes well Flowers

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