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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:
Oldglasses · 26/02/2025 16:04

CleverMintHedgehog · 26/02/2025 15:13

Got to stay another hour until the throat spray has worn off and getting a sandwich which I've already ordered. Starving now - not eaten anything yet today!

Probably go on a charity shop crawl afterwards!

I think he said allergic oesophagus, which makes sense - I have a dust mite allergy and said the last few weeks I can't really say what's reflux and what is allergy as both is worse at night. Maybe if it is, there might be a chance to finally get desensitisation on the NHS, otherwise I'm seriously considering paying privately.

Interesting findings! My eldest has a really bad dust mite allergy and her symptoms are similar to my LPR symptoms of a blocked nose etc. She'd never contemplate having an endoscopy though!

CleverMintHedgehog · 26/02/2025 16:09

Oldglasses · 26/02/2025 16:04

Interesting findings! My eldest has a really bad dust mite allergy and her symptoms are similar to my LPR symptoms of a blocked nose etc. She'd never contemplate having an endoscopy though!

@Oldglasses I never knew it existed either - I did go to see the consultant in the end as symptoms were getting worse and Omeprazole stopped working. Googled it now and seems it's only been discovered as a condition fairly recently and people think they have GERD as symptoms are similar. Will need to wait for biopsie results and then see what the consultant suggests - obviously anything allergy related and Bupa is out but I'm willing to pay if there's any chance this can be sorted as it's super annoying.

OP posts:
Rabssccuttlefissh · 26/02/2025 16:09

I’ve had two with sedation. The first was fine, the second one was beyond horrendous. They didn’t give me enough sedation. I can’t tell you had bad it was.

SisterWendyBuckett · 26/02/2025 16:43

So pleased everything went well for you OP!

Thanks for this thread as well, it's so informative and helpful. Enjoy your sandwich and charity shop trawl 😊

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