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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:
AnnaMagnani · 17/02/2025 21:05

It's the wind afterwards. They blow you up with air so they can see inside your stomach and it's painful while it disperses.

Honestly that was worse then the procedure.

Original poster
CleverMintHedgehog · 17/02/2025 21:39

Thank you everyone again for sharing your experiences. I have mine in the afternoon, which is a bit of a bummer, though I can always distract myself with work emails while I wait 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
CleverMintHedgehog · 17/02/2025 21:40

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.

Glad you got it over with today - hope it all went smoothly.

OP posts:
Original poster
CleverMintHedgehog · 17/02/2025 21:45

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.

Love the idea of something comforting to sniff on!

OP posts:
ashadowofmyformerself · 17/02/2025 21:49

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.

I had this as well (transnasal endoscopy) and it was a breeze compared to some of the stories I’d heard about the gagging with the other type. Not sure why it’s not offered more widely.

stomachamelon · 17/02/2025 22:24

@gamerchick they don't even offer the nasal spray in my hospital. I had one today. Just wacked it down.
I have been used to not having sedation and just doing them. Generally so I can then drive home. It's not nice but they are over relatively quickly and you just need to focus on that.

mechanicalpencil · 18/02/2025 10:11

Hi @CleverMintHedgehog
I also have one booked for next week and have opted for sedation.
I hope it all goes well for you.
Breathing seems to be key.

MrsSkylerWhite · 18/02/2025 10:14

Sorry, OP, it was awful, felt like I was suffocating for 10 minutes. I would most certainly opt for sedation if I had to have the procedure again.

Poppity3 · 18/02/2025 10:21

I had the throat spray - I found everyone in the room to be super kind, really took time to explain everything and a nurse was next to me stroking my hand the whole time. I’m sure they do that with everyone but it really helped that I didn’t just feel like another one on the conveyor belt, knowing that I’d be awake the whole time. I had the option to raise my hand to stop the whole thing if it was really uncomfortable. Watching the screen and focusing on breathing helped, and the feeling of being able to crack on home after a short sit down in recovery was amazing!! You will be fine OP, good luck!

SedentaryCat · 18/02/2025 10:23

I probably need another due to worsening reflux so would most likely opt for sedation this time. They couldn't pass the endoscope through my nose as there wasn't enough space, and in the end it went in through my mouth. My understanding is that this makes the gagging worse. The nurse was lovely and held my hand (stroked my back too).

I would prefer no sedation, though, as I like to know what's going on.

Original poster
CleverMintHedgehog · 18/02/2025 10:25

mechanicalpencil · 18/02/2025 10:11

Hi @CleverMintHedgehog
I also have one booked for next week and have opted for sedation.
I hope it all goes well for you.
Breathing seems to be key.

Hi @mechanicalpencil I hope it all goes well for you, too!

OP posts:
RoastdinnerSunday · 18/02/2025 10:26

If you are offered the nasal one, it is much easier.

Original poster
CleverMintHedgehog · 18/02/2025 16:47

RoastdinnerSunday · 18/02/2025 10:26

If you are offered the nasal one, it is much easier.

It’s the one through the mouth unfortunately. Though as my nose is blocked more often than not and cortisone nasal spray just runs out again not doing much I wonder if it would even be possible. Definitely one to bear in mind for next time though - I’m lucky enough to have Bupa through work so I’m sure I could find somewhere as I don’t think they do them in the hospital I go to. I’d even be more keen on the sponge swallow test they offer in some regions now, but nothing around here at all :(

OP posts:
MagicalMystical · 18/02/2025 16:53

I’ve had 3 - 1 with GA, 1 with nothing whatsoever, with throat spray.

If I had to have another I’d go throat spray. Hope yours goes as smoothly as mine did.

terracelane23 · 18/02/2025 16:56

Hi, I had one two weeks ago but opted for sedation. If you're worried about feeling "out of it" and that's putting you off sedation then I wouldn't worry too much about that. I was texting my husband a few minutes afterwards and left soon after. The sedation seemed quite mild. I googled "positive endoscopy stories" before mine and read some really positive stories (for people who had it with and without sedation), which helped a lot. I read that breathing techniques help (the nurse guided me through the breathing during mine), as well as having a distraction in your head (counting down from 300 for example). It's a very quick procedure. Good luck.

Convolvulus · 18/02/2025 16:58

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.

I think most are through the mouth. Mine have always been done that way.

Convolvulus · 18/02/2025 17:01

Are you sure about the sedation? I've never felt in the least dizzy or out of it, although I have known (and been very jealous of) some people who say that with sedation they were barely aware it was happening. For me, all that sedation does is take the edge off it, but nevertheless having had one without sedation I would choose sedation every time. If anything, I'm asking them to beef up the dose a bit more next time!

Convolvulus · 18/02/2025 17:04

They're not always that quick. Do you know whether they will have to take biopsies, OP?

JumpingGreenFrogs · 18/02/2025 17:06

I’ve had two. Second one much easier than first as I learnt not to try and swallow when I got the urge.

Original poster
CleverMintHedgehog · 18/02/2025 17:32

Convolvulus · 18/02/2025 17:04

They're not always that quick. Do you know whether they will have to take biopsies, OP?

None planned - but I guess it depends on what he finds!

OP posts:
Sorrelbird · 18/02/2025 17:38

I had one with only throat spray - they told me you can breathe through it and that’s what I did. I did start to gag a bit but focused on breathing and overcame it. It was over so quickly and I could go home sooner. I would do it again.

JumpingGreenFrogs · 18/02/2025 20:22

CleverMintHedgehog · 18/02/2025 17:32

None planned - but I guess it depends on what he finds!

Show quote history

I had biopsies both times with mine. Several sites both times. It does add a minute or two but it didn’t add any further discomfort.

JumpingGreenFrogs · 18/02/2025 20:23

Sorrelbird · 18/02/2025 17:38

I had one with only throat spray - they told me you can breathe through it and that’s what I did. I did start to gag a bit but focused on breathing and overcame it. It was over so quickly and I could go home sooner. I would do it again.

My mistake first time was to try and swallow after gagging. The second time I just gagged and it was much better. Told them I was anxious after my first experience and had a lovely nurse the second time which helped too.

Original poster
CleverMintHedgehog · 18/02/2025 20:40

JumpingGreenFrogs · 18/02/2025 20:23

My mistake first time was to try and swallow after gagging. The second time I just gagged and it was much better. Told them I was anxious after my first experience and had a lovely nurse the second time which helped too.

Show quote history

Thank you, that’s a good tip which I think was mentioned a couple of times - will try to remember not to swallow.

OP posts:
mechanicalpencil · 24/02/2025 20:34

@CleverMintHedgehog
Good Luck with your gastroscope this week OP!
It will all be over soon 💪
Mine is tomorrow!