Gastroscopy with no sedation

I also have had tubes up the rear end without sedation and was fine but I personally could not tolerate a gastroscopy without sedation. I would think twice about it.

I wouldn’t either Charleygirl I ve never had a hangover from sedation and always been as perky as a kitten as soon as coming round

I've got to have one in a couple of weeks and am veering towards opting for sedation.
Will be reading replies with interest.

I had one about twenty years ago. I only found swallowing the tube hard. Once the first bit was past my throat, although the whole process was uncomfortable, it was okay.

Mind you, I do remember saying to someone the evening after that I "wouldn't wish it on anyone" ?

Well.

I had to have one a few years ago and decided to not have sedation (I think I wanted to impress the doctor who has asked whether I minded having students in the theatre).

Next thing I'm on the table with the mouthpiece in worrying about the gagging reflex (mine seems to be very sensitive) but drifting happily on a cloud of Valium (they do give you a "pre-med"). Then the doctor comes in (followed by a tribe of students) and I notice that he has gripped in his one hand a length of tubing in an "infinity" roll-up that looks like the hosepipe my husband uses to reach the far end of the garden (excepting it wasn't green). The fright cut right through the Valium and quite frankly, I shat myself (not literally, thankfully). But I did survive and was happy afterwards that I had taken that option.

I do know that several people have written on here that they have had one without sedation and without any problems.

Have everything on offer ! I had one about a year ago and even with sedation it was horrible . You feel fine afterwards as the sedation is very short lived

Diazepam works well, i would go with 3. Used it for dental stuff but husband was given one for his cataract. Mean!
I have had sedation for colonoscopies, wide awake, immediately ok and felt no discomfort.
Good luck.

I had sedation and the last thing I remember was the guard you hold between your jaws being put in my mouth, then coming to in recovery afterwards. It was all quite unremarkable. I had no hangover.

I had sedation for last two gastroscopies and had pain which cut through the sedation so would never have without. Post procedure was fine no ill effects.

Have had then both with and without sedation. I think it is perfectly manageable without sedation. I think initially you may gag a bit more without sedation but at least you can go home immediately and drive if you want. You do need to try hard at relaxing. I can't remember any side effects the next day in either case.

Sedation it is then!!!

I had it done without sedation. Just a spray on the back of the throat to numb it slightly as I swallowed the tube. The nurse told me it was banana flavoured --- didn't taste like any banana I've ever had !!

Yes, I could feel it, it was uncomfortable but not painful. I could feel it going down and just told myself that I would be ok and was in good hands.

My reason for not taking the sedation was that I was advised I'd need to be accompanied for the following 24 hours including bathroom visits. No way was I having my dh sit with me whilst I was using the toilet. Hence no sedation.

Using the spray makes it perfectly possible. It certainly doesn’t hurt! Just a bit uncomfortable.

I had one with just a throat spray a couple of years ago. saxifrage is right - it helps considerably if you can let yourself relax. It wasn't too bad at all and didn't take long. No after effects except a very slight sore throat.

I've had a few ( 3 to be exact) Luckygirl and never had sedation . The first time I was naive and honestly didn't know what to expect . It didn't hurt but what others have said about the swallowing the tube is the worst bit. I said if I ever had to have it again I would definitely have the sedation but.... due to time pressures and needing to drive myself there and back I decided to grit my teeth ( not literally because you can't ) and have it without sedation again. The third time was pretty much the same as the second. I vowed never again without sedation and and then went ahead without as I needed to get home as quick as possible and needed to drive myself . They keep you for a lot longer if you are sedated . Like coolgran said I had a numbing spray at the back of my throat so it didn't hurt it just feels yucky and you gag ( well I did) . I could feel the scope moving around inside me which was a bit uncomfortable but not painful as such . I also had a lot of wind ( each time) but that would have been the same with or without sedation . I also had a lovely nurse holding my hand the whole time .

I had mine with no sedation - can't think what possessed me particularly as I have a strong gag reflex. I almost had a panic attack and was about to pull out the scope but didn't.

Never again!

Blimey gilly how did you do three of them?

No sedation for me either. I drove myself there and home. The horrible spray is the thing I remember most.

I had it without sedation on the advice of The Wonderful Man. He'd had the procedure the year before, and knowing that I have a high pain threshold he assured me I'd be fine. I was not! What he didn't take account of is that my gag reflex is super sensitive and I only just coped. I would never have it again without being zonked.

I had it without sedation in January. The "banana spray" at the back of the throat was easy and I had several puffs of gas and air before they started.

The bit where the tube goes over the back of your throat is over in a couple of seconds - it does make you gag momentarily. I would not be worried about having it without sedation again and the whole procedure is over in five minutes or so.

I think it is a very individual thing - some people just cannot manage it and need the sedation option. All I can say is that personally, I would rather have this done than a root canal treatment!

If you have sedation you cannot drive home afterwards as you would be ‘under the influence ‘.

Sedation everytime ! why on earth would you subject yourself to it without if you don`t have to . Sedation is very short lived so you will be ok that evening , can you not get someone to drive you home?

Which is exactly why I chose not to have it midgey as I had to drive myself there and back each time. Actually you know it was far from pleasant but it doesn't last long and the sooner you get out of the hospital the better as far as I'm concerned.

I had sedation and was fine afterwards. I wouldn't even consider having it without - far too cowardly!