Gastroscopy

Well I'll find out next Tuesday afternoon! I had a phone call yesterday teatime giving me the appointment. I have to stop taking omeprazole immediately as it needs to be clear for 7 days but can continue with the ranitidine. That strikes me as odd as both are acid suppressants so I am going to ring the department shortly and check the info is correct. I asked if I would have the choice of a sedative but was told it is the throat spray and etinox if needed.

Thanks everyone for all the advice and encouragement. I want to know a diagnosis so I can start treatment and get back to my normal self. I will survive!

I had a gastroscopy last year and am 'looking forward' to having another next year as I apparently have Barratt's disease which 'has to be kept an eye on'. I was persuaded to have the throat anaesthetic spray rather than full sedation as the recovery time is so much quicker with less nursing involved - so to their advantage too. I have a very delicate gage reflex and can be sick at will so was a bit dubious, but the fact I would be able to go home so much quicker swayed me.

Amazingly it worked. Gage reflex well and truly gaged! No pain at all, just a bit of discomfort - a tugging feeling - when they took the biopsies. I did do some relaxation breathing. But that was down to me getting tense. It was certainly no worse than a filling at the dentist (deep breathing required there too!)

I have no qualms about just having the spray next time. ( I think I would have been able to drive myself home with the spray which wasn't allowed with the general.)

I've had a gastroscopy without sedation - will never do that again. Although I'm sure some people have posted on GN before that they've had one without sedation and found it be completely bearable.

I have had one. It is not pleasant to have a tube in your stomach with no sedation. I could imagine that some people find their "gag reflex" on having this much more uncomfortable.
I did manage and had a very nice nurse who was holding me and reassuring me all the time.
That "human touch" made me feel very much less anxious. The magic of a good bedside manner should not be under estimated but if you feel you need it go for it.

If you have had a cholecystectomy you probably have free flowing bile causing the pain. If you have a hiatus hernia too, all will be explained I am sure.

As for gastroscopies, I would advise sedation from personal experience. Some people are happy without. Problem is you don't know until you try it withut sedation by which time your decision is a bit late. I hope all goes well.

Go with the sedation. Last endoscopy I had to have it increased in the middle.My last colonoscopy, NHS, I was only given the minimum and I remained fully alert and able to see the procedure on the monitor.

Make sure they give you enough sedation. I had an endoscopy about 4 yrs ago and they gave me the lowest amount of sedation and refused to increase it. I couldn't go through with the endoscopy. My GP was appalled when I told her and said that they can increase the amount of sedation 5 times the amount they gave me. I haven't been brave enough to attempt this again.
My 16 yr old son has crohns disease, so regularly has colonoscopies and endosopies. For children they are always give a general anaesthetic, which personally for me I would rather have.

Just the thought of swallowing the thing sent me to have sedation. Am having colonoscopy on Friday so having sedation for that too.Just can't face up to it. All ok after though for the four I have had previously. Sedation all the way.

yiu you

Gagagran There was a thread on here recently about the various 'oscopies and what to expect, which you may find helpful. I can't remember the title, but I think it started with colonoscopies. I've had cameras in all directions, plus other assorted investigations and had sedation each time. If you have sedation the hospital will probably tell you to have someone to take you home rather than drive yourself. The main issue was the preparation!! You may be given stuff to clear you out - not sure if that's just for colonoscopy - and it's VERY effective! Stay indoors near the loo!

Hope it all goes well for yiu and that you feel better soon.

DH has had two over the past few years and says that he has not really found them too unpleasant. The first he had went directly down his throat, the second was put down via his nostril. He said the staff were terrific, talk you through it and it is over quite quickly. The only after effect was that he was rather "burpy" for a while. Personally, I think if I had to undergo one I would opt for the sedation, quite a few people were doing that when we went and I think if you are rather unsure that would be the way to go. Do hope you get things sorted out soon, and can get treatment and back on a normal diet. You will feel so very much better. Do let us know how you get on.