Has anyone had one? Throat spray or sedation? Booked for 28th December and I am really anxious. 😔
Gastroscopy: Has anyone had one? Throat... - British Liver Trust
Gastroscopy
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Cobwebs
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Sedation, I've had both and even with the spray you'll be gagging and spluttering, and your'll feel the probe in your tummy poking around. It's not very pleasant. I guess it's a matter of choice. My skin at the time was yellow, and this meant that I also had a really long yellow streak running down my back.
liverdiseaseOK• in reply to
I have had a couple with a throat spray. I know everyone is different but I did not find it all that bad. Certainly less so than I expected. Personally I think the thought is worse than the actuality. But again I do recognise that everyone is different. Bottom line, it has to be done.
Definitely sedation with throat spray. I have had a few of these and sedation means that I don't generally remember anything, although the last couple of times I have had a couple of fleeting moments of consciousness, but don't feel anything thankfully. If it's your first one prepare to feel uncomfortable afterwards as they have to pump air into you to see the veins better and you can be left with a feeling of very bad trapped wind. Painkillers can help if this happens- paracetamol/ codeine NOT ibuprofen.
If you need banding, then you will need to eat soft food and cooler drinks as swallowing will be uncomfortable for about a week afterwards.
All the very best, worrying about it is definitely worse than the thing itself (and I worry about it a lot) 
I've had 2 done and would definitely recommend sedation. Good luck.
I have done it both ways and would not do it without sedation, also if you let them know that you are really anxious they will do their best to comfort and reassure you, good luck also it’s not as bad as you think, take care 🌸
Sounds fairly conclusive! And eating soft foods and cooler drinks is easy. I already have to chew my food thoroughly and eat little and often. Anxiety is sky high at the best of times and I won’t give details of my gag reflex! Spoke to someone at the hospital this morning and she was very soothing!
Thank you everyone. 😸
I've had two gastroscopies since july and have had throat spray and sedation for both. I can gag just cleaning my teeth but it was fine. I'm having another one in a few weeks and I'm not worried about it. Try not to worry and enjoy your Christmas. Deb
Sedation !!
Hi
I didn’t have the choice so throat spray it was. Painful no. Uncomfortable and noisy yes. I was amazed by my involuntary sounds. Anyway the drs are used to it!
Negative - I knew what was happening.
Positive - I was as fit as a fiddle immediately and didn’t feel fuzzy
sedate
I’ve had 7 and throat spray every time,it really isn’t painful just a little uncomfortable but once they ask you to swallow the worst is over and after a few minutes it’s all done and home you go
Huw
Both
I would say have both definitely if you’re very anxious the doctor can prescribe you some anxiety medication like diazepam too. Good luck 👍
Agree if you are that anxious have both and good luck it will be over before you know it
Huw
Sedation!
I told the Dr ONE of us is going to be unconscious and he would probably prefer it was me.
He gave me a double dose!
In my warped little mind, I am seeing this as payback for all the times I have nursed my husband after ops and procedures! Oh, and flu.... he did take paternity leave when we had our son but got very bored so went out most days!!
I've had both. The sedation just wasn't strong enough, & it was very uncomfortable. Throat spray was not terribly pleasant, but it was all over quickly with no lasting effects save a slightly sore throat.
Hi Cobwebs, i just had my second one on Wednesday and choose sedation again. This time doctor gave me a little more and although i can vaguely remember gagging it was over so quickly. I was also very anxious about it and felt relaxed after it with just a slight sore throat. Good luck and take care.
Angela
Please, please don’t worry. I was terrified before having mine in September to the point I cancelled my first appointment. The Liver Nurse recommended that I pop up to the clinic and explain how anxious I was. The staff were so kind, explaining what would happen, recommended that because I was anxious I should get sedation. On the day after all the usual paperwork, I was taken through to day ward, given sedative in back of hand and that’s the last thing I remembered until I woke, apart from hearing someone gagging, didn’t realise it was me. I didn’t feel a thing, I got my results before I left, thankfully good. Don’t listen to all the negatives. The reality is so much easier than your fears. Try and put it out of your mind just now, it’ll be over before you know it. Look forward to hearing how it all goes.
I know I shouldn’t worry because it doesn’t help. Despite the anxiety, I am quite a positive person. And I did have three children with gas and air so not a complete wuss. Thank you for your support. Deb xx
Hi there, I too am very anxious. I have had 2 and both times, a little spray in the throat, then needle prick in hand which was so quick. Then I did not care - it was immediate effect of calmness. Awake also but just not really bothered. Over so quickly - biopsy also done. Then back to a room with hubs and a sandwich and pot of tea brought to me. Eat it with no problem. Then the laughter started (not from the injection) but the wind that followed. My hubs face was a picture which set me off. I won't say how he described it lol. Don't worry about this - I did and there was no need at all.
Regards
Gwen
Brilliant, Gwen! You make it sound like fun!! Husband won’t be with me but will try to save some wind for when he picks me up! x 🤪
people are sharing the truth of thier experience and thats not negative. the person is asking for this and has said that they are nervouse.
I had throat spray. Not very pleasant as it goes down. Does make you gag and the air they pump in makes you belch. However, it is a quick procedure and although they said I might have a sore throat for a few days, I did not. They also did a biopsy and I felt nothing.
Don't feel bad about being anxious, it's only natural.
It's not paricularly pleasant, but shouldn't be painful.
Personally, for comparison, I find it a lot more tolerable than say, having my teeth scaled and polished!
It's all over in a jiffy, and if you have the sedation you get to have a nice chill in the recovery room afterwards, and a free sandwich before they send you on your way!
Oh, we had a truly sadistic hygienist who used to leave us in agony! Thank you. 🤪
Sedation definitely
My husband had the sedation and all went fine. It just made him a little bit woozy afterwards. Apparently the sedative also suppresses the formation of new memories so he didn't remember too much detail about it and was back to normal in a couple of hours.
Hi. I have to say I struggled with mine a bit too. I would definitely have the sedation although it didn't do a lot for me so the diazepam may be a good idea too. Make sure someone is with you when you leave as you may not be 100 % clear headed. Remember the staff will be supportive and it shouldn't take too long.
Good luck
Coralsun
Trust me you will be fine all the best .Think positive, it got to be done ,it got to be done . If I were you I don’t think too much about it dear 😜
I had the throat spray, so was fully awake during it all, and it was fine. I could see everything on the screen and the doc explained what we were seeing. Quite an interesting experience really. Definitely not what I was expecting before I went though.
I’d go for sedation having had it done twice. I gag very easily and went on recommendation of 3 or 4 people on liver ward who’d experienced it done with and without sedation. Don’t remember lots about it. Had a bit of a sore throat and was apparently very happy talking absolute rubbish and wouldn’t shut up for couple of hours afterwards whilst it wore off.
Cobwebs• in reply to
Well, I can say, for sure, that no-one will notice the difference if I am talking rubbish!
sedation i'v had a throat spray it did nothing. i had and ERCP its in your tummy you will feel it so you want to get sedation. good luck .
You are all so lovely. I really appreciate the honesty. Forewarned is forearmed, I believe, is the saying!!
I have had throat spray (might as well not have bothered. The sedation is great. I forgot that I even had it done! I only had the throat spray as I was in a hurry and was driving... The sedation was excellent. Nothing to worry about in the slightest.
So that is it! All over! Nine o’clock appointment so not too hungry. Amazing team of people. I was looked after from admission to discharge by one person, Mila, which was lovely. I mentioned to the doctor in charge of sedation and said that diazepam had been mentioned but he just chuckled and said that what he had lined up for me was far better! I had a few squirts of throat spray which made me gag a little and cough. I saw someone wielding a syringe and the next thing I remember was sitting in another room being offered tea and biscuits. My notes said I did shuffle twice but I really don’t remember a thing. Custard creams dunked in tea (and I am not a dunker) have never tasted so good. BP and SATS were on the low side but re-tested a few minutes later and I was free to go. Phew, what a fuss about nothing!
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