Upper Endoscopy / Gastroscopy no sedation - good positive experience

Hi all

I'm a 29yo female from the UK. Today I had a positive endoscopy experience with no sedation. I've read a lot of negative experiences which is not surprising because the procedure isn't exactly pleasant but for the benefit of those waiting for a gastroscopy I thought I'd post my experience which didn't seem to be as bad.

I was taken from the waiting area by a lovely nurse who checked BP and pulse rate before telling me to put on a gown. Took my myself and my stuff to another holding area, half an hour later I was called and taken along a corridor to a room that didn't resemble an operating theatre, just a bed with a TV on either side.

I met the doctor and she sprayed the banana tasting local anaesthetic down the back of my throat (not particularly nice tasting but not horrific either!) I felt like I got a slight lump in my throat but was told this was normal. I could still breathe easily. It's easy to panic at this point because it is a weird sensation but nothing to worry about.

Then a mouth guard was put in to protect teeth from the endoscope. The endoscope was a black cable on it with numbers, about as thick as my little finger.

The doc proceeded to push the endoscope through the guard and down the back of my throat. This is the worst part but it's fleeting - over after five seconds. It made me gag but I coped - just listen to the doctors and nurses, they tell you to breathe through it and it totally helps. I felt fine once it had passed further down.

In terms of being able to feel it, I could but not all the time. it depends upon the ailment but I didn't experience any bad pain, just uncomfortable as they put more air in so they could have a look around.

I had a biopsy as the doctor could see three red areas along the lining of my stomach. She didn't say what it was except that it could be HPylori Bacteria, excess acid, gastritis etc list goes on.

The doc then took the endoscope out and it came out easily, they need to bring it up slowly though so as not to damage your insides.

The whole procedure lasted around five minutes.

The good thing about it is if it is too much you can still choose to have sedation in the room if it is too much for you (or they will send you for a barium drink and CT if you can't manage either but will have to wait weeks again!).

In terms of after effects, I feel a little cramping and my throat is sore, but otherwise I was able to get up off the table, get changed and walk out five minutes afterwards!

I hope this post has been useful for people looking to have an endoscopy with no sedation

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