Upper Gastroscopy/Endoscopy Without Sedation

Hi , I have to ho for a endoscopy on the 29th I am looking on Google so I can see what size the tube is, I have had a lump on the left side at my windpipe my Dr said for over a year she couldn't feel anything? So at my next appointment with the Dr it was a locum Dr she did feel it, I left feeling great knowing that she was referring me to get a endoscopy how I wish that Dr was in the practice... After I seen my Dr and I asked her if she knew how long it could be before I get my appointment, I was really angry when she said she could feel it!!! I told her it's now sore and she then says if it's sore that's good? My reply - it's not good it's got bigger and I can feel it pressing on my windpipe it's hard to swallow food and even liquid I goto bed and and if I am lying on my right side I have to either lie on my back or on my left side . Could you please tell me how thick the camera tube is please. Thank you . Wendy.

I had an endoscopy today including biopsies and had read every word on this forum beforehand! I was absolutely terrified but did my best to remain calm and went with the throat spray. Did not even gag when the camera was inserted, breathing is the key to getting this part done with minimal stress. No pain, some slight discomfort with each biopsy and the gas insertions and apart from some slight gagging on removal, it was very quick and nowhere near as bad as I had imagined. Recommend spray only, you remain in control and above all, breathe and try to stay calm and relaxed. Good luck to anyone else needing this procedure who visits here looking for information, hope this helps. 

Hi guys so I had my gastroscopy today at the Royal London was handled with empathy and understanding all

My concerns were addressed.

Had the procedure without sedation was it difficult well I was but once I knew I could breathe as the spray was disconcerting

The Doc and Nurses were very understanding am happy

I opted for the spray

Why as it was over as soon as it started my report states

Gastritis and duodenitis everything else was ok

Would I advise having it yes would I do it again yes

The most difficult part is the spray for me and the gag reflex and swallowing

But please bear with it the talk from the Doc was longer then the procedure in my case

All the best to all and any reassurance i can give let me know happy to do so

I’ve just had an endoscopy today just with the throat spray 

I was a nervous wreck I really was I was reading about it all on google worse thing ever as I’ve been reading through comments it really scared me I almost cancelled my procedure as I was that scared

Anyway I went in and I was going to have sedation but I want control of my own body so I had opted for the throat spray it literally isn’t as bad as what everyone says it doesn’t restrict breathing your just numb that’s all 

I seen the camera flash at me and befor I knew it they were in I gagged 3 times not even bad at all it’s a natural thing to do 

A lot of comments on here state that you feel like your choking etc I never even felt like this I could breathe and I was very calm it’s not the most pleasant thing to experience but it really isn’t bad at all I couldn’t feel the pipe in my throat as my throat was numb I could only feel the camera inside which wasn’t painful at all just a bit uncomfortable 

Seriously I hate anything being forced down my throat and I’m a nervous person but trust me it’s the most easiest procedure ever it’s not hard to do just have faith in yourself a and I’m the team doing it 

I had a gastroscopy done two days ago so I said id post when its fresh in my mind. I agonized / worried for a full week on whether I should go for sedation or not. I was working that day so I decided rather than go through the hassle of booking a day off and getting someone organised to pick me up I decided to go without sedation. I decided two days before the procedure. On the morning of the procedure I was very nervous and upon arriving to the hospital one nurse asked me are you sure you dont want to go for the sedation....needless to say this made me more nervous but it was too late at this stage to change my mind as I had no one organised to pick me up etc. I was wheeled on a bed over to outside the theater and the doctors assistant came to check a few details. I nervously asked if I was mad not getting sedation and she leaned close and smiled and said im glad your not getting sedation and that losts of people dont get sedated and she grabbed my hand and said you can squeeze my hand. This made me feel much better. As for the procedure the doctor gave me two sprays down my throat to numb it. He didnt delay and got pretty much straight to it. I was laying on my side and had a mouth piece thing in to keep my mouth open and he quickly fed the scope in. I didnt feel it in my throat as it was numb. It wasnt overly a pleasant feeling but I just picked a spot on the wall and concentrated on that and concentrated on slowly breathing in an out through my nose. The doctor was explaining the different areas that he was looking at and every so often he would say almost done. Depending on the area the scope was in I wretched a few times as If I was getting sick but it didnt feel as worse as when you actually are vomiting.The doctors assistant really was brilliant and was re-assuring me. She offered her hand to squeeze (Im not a wimp but it really did help to have a hand to squeeze so I would be asking the nurse / assistant for their hand!). After the doctor repeating we`re almost done a few times he then said Ok we`re done and didnt delay in removing the pipe. I was really surprised at how quick the whole thing was....its hard to say but I would estimate that from the pipe going in to coming out it took no longer than 3 mins max, it could have been less. I was then wheeled back into the ward where I was so glad (and proud of myself!) that I hadnt to spend the whole day waiting / sleeping off the sedation. I literally got dressed and after about a half hour I was free to go. I dont normally post anything on forums (always am the one to read them) but I found this one really helpful in the lead up to my procedure and decided to add my experience to hopefully help somebody else.