Gastroscopy without sedation?

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Has anyone had a gastroscopy without sedation and can tell me honestly what it’s like? I am having the procedure and think I’d prefer not to have sedation, but I want the honest truth from someone who’s experienced it!

I had it with sedation and it was hideous. It’s the constant gagging. I can’t imagine what it would be like stone cold,

I have had it without sedation and it was horrendous - I subsequently had one with sedation and that was ok

Unless you have a very good reason not to - have the sedation. It is not a pleasant experience. The sedative does not like take long to come out of your system, you'd just need someone to drive you home.

I had one without sedation during covid times as I needed to drive myself there and back.

Honestly, I don't think I could do it that way again. Constant gagging and really struggled all the way through. I felt quite panicky and was very shaky afterwards

I had one without sedation. Can’t say it was pleasant, but I would have another one without if offered

Me too - I had it done twice without sedation, a couple of months apart. Not pleasant, but it’s over fairly quickly.

Why don’t you want sedation? Is it a practical reason (ie. Want to be able to go home alone after), or just that you are worried about the idea of sedation?

I.had it without. It went up my nose though which he numbed up first, which is a lot more comfortable. I held my breath as much as possible throughout it.

I don't have sedation for colonoscopys either. I like being able to leave straight after.

I had two without sedation due to breastfeeding. Its not nice you feel like your choking/not able to breathe. I layed on my hands as I just wanted to pull the tube out.
However if I had to have one again I have it without, was over in 5 minutes and I was able to leave not long after. I didn't feel groggy and apart from not eating or drinking anything hot for a few hours I could carry on as normal.

I had it without sedation, it was pretty awful but it was over very quickly!

I had a hysterscope a couple of years later and that was definitely worse.

I've had several without sedation. I chose not to have sedation as I'd rather be aware. There's no pain, it just made me gag at first but the nurse with me told me to concentrate on breathing regularly and deeply and that really helped. I was able to tolerate it without much retching. It was over quickly (just over 2 minutes). The following times it was no trouble at all.

I had one recently without sedation because I needed to drive home afterwards. The nurses said that the strength of your gag reflex dictates how well you tolerate it. For me it was unpleasant but basically fine and over quickly. I would do it without a sedation again.

I was told I needed one by one Dr. didn't fancy it really, spoke to another Dr. who said that for my suspected condition (hiatal hernia) that a barium swallow was far less uncomfortable and would actually provide better information.

So depending what they are looking for there may be an alternative study you can have.

Mine was with a numbing throat spray. For me it was horrendous, I have such a strong gag reflex, so if I had to do it again I would only do it with sedation.

I have had numerous both with and without. Out of choice I would have sedation.

Personally, Propofol sedation only! Out like a light, no recall - zero stress and its out of your system much quicker than the endoscopist delivered Midazolam/Fentanyl standard offering

Cannot imagine not having had the sedation! It took a huge edge off it. The gagging and burping would have been horrible if I was fully awake

i have a really bad gag reflex and often retch bushing my teeth or brushing my tongue

I had it without sedation, just throat spray. Didn't enjoy it but it wasn't horrendous and it is very quick.

If I had to have another I'd skip the throat spray which I think made it worse.

It's not something I would ever contemplate i.e. having it without sedation. There are some who can do it, there are far more who can't. Nothing to be ashamed of as it's a barbaric procedure up there with non GA hysteroscopy.

Is there a particular reason you don't want sedation? That would kind of colour the response, since if you have no one to collect you or stay with you then you don't have much choice really!

I had mine without sedation and actually found it to be ok. I gagged a couple of times but other than that it was alright. It’s not fun but not as bad as you think. I would do it again without sedation. In fact I found it quite interesting and the doctor gave me a visual tour of my stomach as I was the last patient in which was fascinating.

I had one without and then had to go to London and by the time I got to Old Street I was so ill and in pain I could hardly walk. I went to the nearest chemist and bought strong painkillers and went to bed in the hotel for the afternoon/evening.

The next time I thought I'd be fine but as soon as I laid down I had a panic attack and had to leave so had one with sedation a few months later. So much better. And no pain after.

I had mine without sedation. Not the most fun 5 minutes of my life but perfectly manageable. Not painful. If you don’t have sedation then you can leave straight away and get on with the rest of your day.

I have a really strong gag reflex but have had two without sedation and as per pp its unpleasant but over quickly, and actually quite interesting to be awake for.

If you have ever done anything like yoga or scuba diving where you are aware of your breathing I would personally go for no sedation as you just need to breath through the first couple of minutes and you should be fine.

I've had two. The first without sedation, the second with.

I'll take sedation every time. With the first they gave me medication to numb my throat. It didn't. They tried to pass the endoscope through my nose, which didn't work so they went through my mouth. It was horrendous.

With the second one, I took the sedation. Drifted off and woke a bit later on.

Why wouldn't you want sedation? Ive had this twice. No side effects, no pain, no memory of the procedure and woke up both times feeling happy and relaxed! No way would i do it without.