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Original poster

Gastroscopy without sedation - positive stories please

79 replies

CleverMintHedgehog · 17/02/2025 18:15

Hi All,

I’ve got a Gastroscopy booked next week after years of reflux issues.

I’m pretty certain I don’t want sedation - every time I had any medication that was supposed to make me feel drowsy all I got was dizzy and feeling funny. I also hate the thought of being cannulated (I am fine with injections but blood tests and cannulas freak me out). And I hate the thought of feeling “out of it” - I don’t drink, never have done and really don’t like the thought of “feeling like drunk” as some have described it.

I have had three impacted wisdom teeth operated out under local anaesthetic, which even most dentists said they would have had GA for, so I’m hoping I’m going to be able to cope OK for the few minutes.
I’m a mouth breather mostly as suffering from allergies, which concerns me a bit but consultant didn’t seem to think it is an issue.

There are so many horror stories - can anyone who’s had the procedure done with the throat spray only please share any “positive” experiences? I’m aware there will be a gag reflex and there will be absolutely nicer things to do with your day, but any reassurance would be most welcome. Please no horror stories, there are enough of those around!

Thank you!

OP posts:

DrCoconut · 17/02/2025 18:20

I had one with throat spray and no sedation. It was not enjoyable but I coped and it only took 6 minutes. I was really scared about it as I gag easily but on the day they couldn't get a cannula in for sedation so I was given the choice of reschedule or try without. I'd already been rescheduled once and just couldn't face waiting again so I tried and got away with it! The nurse with me was really supportive. It was good being able to walk out and get on with my day a few minutes after the procedure. There are so many horror stories out there and it's easy to get worked up. Good luck.

Garlicworth · 17/02/2025 18:21

Yep, me, last summer. I wanted sedation but had no caretaker with me so had to brave it. They did give me gas & air - I don't feel it helped, but maybe it did? They told me this is an outmoded option for gastroscopy; you could ask for it.

The experience was horrible, I cried and vomited throughout. It wasn't painful, just uncomfortable and humiliating. The best news is it only takes a few minutes!

The staff were very patient. Buckle up - you'll be back outside while the anaesthetised subjects are still in recovery

wagnbobble · 17/02/2025 18:23

Had two , both ok . Throat spray only . I have a bad gag reflex but they talked me through it and were really kind and supportive. I’ll not lie as it’s not pleasant and I burped a lot BUT it was over quickly and I was out much quicker

Hoppinggreen · 17/02/2025 18:25

DH had one without sedation after I had one with and advised him to have sedation too.
As you only want postive stories I will say no more

Boredmum24 · 17/02/2025 18:26

My 80 year old mother had one recently and said it was uncomfortable but over quickly. Not terrible at all according to her

Soontobe60 · 17/02/2025 18:27

Throat spray only here. No pain, just felt a bit claustrophobic with the tube down my throat. I was surprised it went up my nose! Watching the screen was fascinating.

SabbatWheel · 17/02/2025 18:28

I had one with throat spray and was advised by a friend to remember to keep breathing. It’s quite invasive in that there’s a lot of equipment in and around your mouth, but there was a nurse holding my hand throughout and the whole thing lasted about 5 minutes, so quite bearable.

It wasn’t pleasant, but not so bad that I would ask for sedation.
On the other hand, my mum had a bronchoscopy without sedation as she had nobody to take her home or keep an eye on her for 24hrs. Not that IS hard core,

66babe · 17/02/2025 18:37

I have one every year without any sedation as I have to drive myself there and back and no one to come with me

It's horrible but bearable and I'm always glad to leave while I see others sleeping and vomiting.

ShatParp · 17/02/2025 18:47

I've had 2 without sedation and while it's not the most pleasant experience, it's over very quickly. I breathed through my mouth fine throughout, in fact as your mouth is wide open I found I couldn't breathe through my nose anyway! The trick is to really focus on slow, deep breaths, and remember that you are safe and it will be over so quickly. The nurses are great, they are used to people being scared. Also you will belch like you've never benched before as they blow air in, and retch, it's totally normal so do not worry!

Aworldofmyown · 17/02/2025 18:57

I've had one. It was fine, just focus on breathing in and breathing out. As others have said it's just a really claustrophobic feeling, so if you stay calm and remind yourself you are fine and safe you'll be totally fine.

AnnaMagnani · 17/02/2025 19:00

I had mine with throat spray. If I had to have another I wouldn't bother with the throat spray as it was the worst bit.

Whole thing is over very quickly, you are wide awake to be told what they found before you even leave the room and you can drive yourself home.

NightHouse · 17/02/2025 19:03

I've had 3 with just throat spray. They're bearable if you breathe right and don't panic. Good luck.

user1469569516 · 17/02/2025 19:12

I had a throat spray and while laying on my side for the procedure, sniffed from a bottle of my favourite lavender bubble bath.
After the swallow to open my oesophagus, there was no discomfort at all.
I hope this helps to reassure you.

Original poster

CleverMintHedgehog · 17/02/2025 19:19

Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences, I didn’t expect that many responses that quickly! It really helps getting reassurance that it’ll be OK. Not pleasant I’m sure, but bearable - I’ll go back to these over the next week I’m sure!

OP posts:

Artus · 17/02/2025 19:20

I had the throat spray only. It was over very quickly and two wonderful nurses talked me through it. Uncomfortable but not painful.

Wendolino · 17/02/2025 19:20

I've had several without sedation. The first was NHS and the rest in a private hospital for a clinical trial of a new reflux drug. There was no difference between them. I was offered sedation but declined as I prefer to be aware of what's happening. The first time I gagged a bit but a lovely nurse was sitting by my head and he was talking to me, telling me to breathe deeply etc. After that one, it was not bad at all. I found that if I concentrate on my breathing, making sure I breathe deeply, it seems to calm down the gag reflex. It's over so quickly, about 2 minutes each time, and you feel fine afterwards. You have to wait about 30-45 mins before eating or drinking to make sure the throat is back to normal.
The worst part of the whole thing is the taste of the throat freezing spray.

nahthatsnotforme · 17/02/2025 19:25

Those saying to concentrate on your breathing are totally right.

I had a nurse holding my hand and breathing with me and it helped massively to stop the heaving (which is the horrible bit)

No pain or discomfort otherwise.

If I had another I wouldn't opt for sedation.. isn't your finest moment gagging and burping but it's quickly over.

I went home and ate an Indian takeaway

Maverick66 · 17/02/2025 19:29

I had one a few months ago.
I chose throat spray no sedation.
I didn't find it bad at all.
But I am a brace yourself and do it kind of person.
It was 5 mins at most and I was up and home straight after.
Throat spray was by no means pleasant tasting but it did it's Job.
I closed my eyes listened to their instructions and it was over in no time.
I found afterwards to be most uncomfortable part of procedure because I felt nauseous and gassy but this was to do with throat spray I presume.

Honestly, it's like going to dentist .......not something you want to do but when it's over you wonder ..what the hell was I worried about.

Good luck.

LadyWiddiothethird · 17/02/2025 19:34

Had both,would never ever have one again without sedation,it was horrendous!

I had 2 last year with sedation,the effect was short lasting,just long enough to get the procedure done,the sedation these days is wonderful and they seem to get it just right.Cup of tea straight after and home I went.

deathbypiles · 17/02/2025 19:46

I have had a few without sedation, totally agree to focus on your breathing, and what I found helped was to fix your eye on something directly ahead, in my case it was a plug in the wall, and don't look away, concentrate on the thing and breathe, it's not pleasant but absolutely doable, and the nurses are fantastically supportive
If you do start to retch, don't panic!!

MrsAvocet · 17/02/2025 19:56

I've had them with and without sedation. I preferred without. Sedation didn't make much difference during the procedure but I was drowsy for ages afterwards. It isn't something I'd do for fun I must say, but it wasn't too awful and didn't take long. I found the initial part as the scope goes " round the corner" at the back of the mouth quite unpleasant but once it was in my stomach it was fine and I found watching the pictures rather interesting.

JasmineAllen · 17/02/2025 20:16

I had one with just the throat spray (mainly because i was staff and it was done as a favour before the list started)

It was fine but you have to be able to relax and stay calm. You can feel it wiggle in your tummy and I even got to see inside my own stomach because the gastroscope was wired up to a large screen.

IMO it's much better than being sedated as you can just get up anc carry on as usual afterwards.

gamerchick · 17/02/2025 20:17

I didn't have sedation but I had it up the nose rather than down the throat.

Just squirt the numbing shit up and bosh. So much better being able to leave when it was done.

bigboykitty · 17/02/2025 20:56

I just had one with sedation. Have you had Midazolam before? That's what they use for sedation. It's a benzo, like diazepam. I hate opiates like codeine and morphine, and feeling out of it and couldn't bear gas and air, but the Midazolam was great. It made me calm and it really shrinks your memory afterwards. I wouldn't discount it unless you particularly struggle with benzodiazapines. Mine was very quick. It's not pleasant, but they do a lot of them and they don't mess about. I wouldn't fret if I had to do it again.

AlisonDonut · 17/02/2025 21:02

I had one in 2017, throat spray only, was fine until a few hours later when the pain of whatever they dislodged kicked in on a train to London. Horrendous. How I made it to my hotel is a mystery.

Then went to have another last August with the throat spray. Panicked and bolted so had that today as it happens, under sedation. Was only out 15 minutes then awake and in recovery.

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