[Help] Has anyone had a gastroscopy?

[Durlston]

Due in at the Royal Sussex County hospital on Monday for a stomach investigation. I was just wondering what your experience of it was and if you could give me any tips regarding the tube going down the throat, what the sedation is like and the after effects? Any good advice would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Questions]

Take every bit of of sedation you can have……. Not trying to alarm you…. The air they put inside you to inflate everything will keep your friends and family amused for hours afterwards as well,

 

[dejavuatbtn]

Just relax when they put the tube to the back of your throat. That bit is the most uncomfortable but once in it’s not so bad. Well done on getting one - I have been on a list for another one re a hiatus hernia since pre covid!

 

[Is it PotG?]

Sedation, sedation, sedation.

That's all you need to know.

I'm in in a few weeks, can you make sure they wipe the tube please?

 

[Deportivo Seagull]

Sedation, sedation, sedation.

That's all you need to know.

I'm in in a few weeks, can you make sure they wipe the tube please?

This, very much this.

I took sedation and can’t remember a thing, a colleague went with the throat spray and said it was very, very unpleasant.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

I had sedation, which was a good thing because they found a small benign lump in my oesophagus, and removed it. I have a moderately large hiatus hernia, which is kept under control with medication. A small injection and then just wake up.
You have to have someone at home for 24 hours, and obviously not allowed to drive for that time. It’s easy easy.

 

[The Brighton Bear]

Just relax when they put the tube to the back of your throat. That bit is the most uncomfortable but once in it’s not so bad. Well done on getting one - I have been on a list for another one re a hiatus hernia since pre covid!

Exactly what he said.

I hade the one up the other end too and I didn't like that at all

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

This, very much this.

I took sedation and can’t remember a thing, a colleague went with the throat spray and said it was very, very unpleasant.

I went with the throat spray and it was unpleasant but bearable. I’d much rather do that and be able to walk out by myself and be able to drive home afterwards.

 

[Hendrax]

Get sedated, 100%

I had it done with just the numbing spray a few years ago, and the first one was okay but the follow up was one of the most horrifying and distressing things I've ever had to endure.

I can only assume the spray didn't contact the right areas.

 

[Dave the hatosaurus]

I have had it twice for investigation of acid reflux and hiatus hernia. First time i tried just the throat spray and it was a very bad experience, had a bit of a panic attack. Second time sedation and no problem at all.

 

[Durlston]

Take every bit of of sedation you can have……. Not trying to alarm you…. The air they put inside you to inflate everything will keep your friends and family amused for hours afterwards as well,

What effect does the air have on the body? It says in my booklet that I may feel bloated but not much else.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

I've had an endoscopy. I'm not sure what the difference is between that and a gastroscopy. I was offered general anaesthetic or local(or whatever the term is for when its just a specific area). I took the general option and am very glad I did. I was told to count backwards from 10 and all I remember is getting to about 6 and then being woken up. No pain during or after the procedure, just very sleepy for the next few hours.

Good luck!

 

[Hendrax]

I was walking back from worthing hospital farting non-stop. This lasted most of the evening.

What effect does the air have on the body?

 

[Durlston]

Just relax when they put the tube to the back of your throat. That bit is the most uncomfortable but once in it’s not so bad. Well done on getting one - I have been on a list for another one re a hiatus hernia since pre covid!

That's what I'm fearing. Once the tube hits the back of my throat I'll probably start to cough and gag (praying I don't have a panic attack) but I can't eat or drink for six hours beforehand so the pictures are clear. Just like a trial on the "Celebrity, get me out of here"

I've been waiting since the summer for my gastroscopy. Not bad the way the NHS is feeling the strain in the last couple of years.

 

[Durlston]

Sedation, sedation, sedation.

That's all you need to know.

I'm in in a few weeks, can you make sure they wipe the tube please?

I have had it twice for investigation of acid reflux and hiatus hernia. First time i tried just the throat spray and it was a very bad experience, had a bit of a panic attack. Second time sedation and no problem at all.

Yes, I've suffered from acid reflux for years now. Reading poster's replies I will definitely have the sedation - it won't interact with diazepam I hope? I'm probably getting the train so hopefully I won't end up in Hastings. But I think my sister will be looking after me if she can get the time off work.

 

[scooter1]

I have had it twice for investigation of acid reflux and hiatus hernia. First time i tried just the throat spray and it was a very bad experience, had a bit of a panic attack. Second time sedation and no problem at all.

Regrettably this. Never had the option of sedation, but i'd take that any time over the non-numbing throat spray.
The lady who tried to make it all ok by holding my hand as I retched and panic'd was very nice, but scant consolation....
Good luck

 

[Durlston]

I had sedation, which was a good thing because they found a small benign lump in my oesophagus, and removed it. I have a moderately large hiatus hernia, which is kept under control with medication. A small injection and then just wake up.
You have to have someone at home for 24 hours, and obviously not allowed to drive for that time. It’s easy easy.

Glad you're ok now, Thunder Bolt. Must have been quite frightening finding a lump - thankfully benign. Thanks for your reassuring post. You're one of my favourites on here.

 

[Durlston]

Sedation, sedation, sedation.

That's all you need to know.

I'm in in a few weeks, can you make sure they wipe the tube please?

Will do. As someone who's never had Covid *touch wood*, I'm more worried about who's used the equipment before me.......

 

[Bold Seagull]

Due in at the Royal Sussex County hospital on Monday for a stomach investigation. I was just wondering what your experience of it was and if you could give me any tips regarding the tube going down the throat, what the sedation is like and the after effects? Any good advice would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Had it twice, 1996 and probably about 2003. Both times throat spray, second time the tube was smaller and I knew what to expect. If you can relax and not really think about it, then if I had to have a 3rd, I'd go throat spray again because I know it's tolerable. First time the tube seemed as big as a garden hose, but second time seemed like it was half the diameter.

As a couple of others have said though, I can understand the feelings of panic, but the nurses on both occasions kept me calm. You don't really notice much else as you just focus your mind on staying calm.

 

[Bold Seagull]

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