The dreaded gastroscopy day - no horror stories please.

Benenden are so good too. I would just like to clarify. I meant in how good their service is and how quickly they arrange things.. The care I get from the NHS is exactly the same. But I would have waited at least a year.

Well done

Well done you!

Great news annep and big help to anybody else waiting for this sort of tests!

So pleased it went well.

So pleased to hear that the procedure went well and the result was good too.

Hello everyone. Well, I survived. It was perfectly fine. Everyone was so nice and put me at ease. I got a throat spray and a small anaesthetic told to close my eyes and breath. I didnt feel the tube going down or coming out or biopsy taken., it seemed two seconds later. Side ward to get checked. Then back to private room tea and toast and watching news (downside to everything) with OH. Cramps in stomach throat slightly sore.
Not something to fear at all. Hope this helps anyone who is like me about it.
Benenden are so good too.
Result - nothing sinister. A little redness. Just a verg sensitive stomach.

Thank you for all your helpful messages. I could not have managed without them.

I have had a few, every three years or so. Just have a bit of sedation and you will be fine, in fact its quite interesting if you can see the screen.

Had one 2 weeks ago Slightly uncomfortable but nowhere near as bad as I expected - and having had one before didn't expect it to be too bad! Tell them you're concerned. I'm sure they will help.

I've had both and looked at the camera screens. It was really interesting. Was aware of the procedures but totally bearable. Sedation with one, none with the other. Didn't notice much difference?

Bluesky ?

Thanks again everyone. I will report back.

Had one about a year ago, was advised to have local sedation - and it was slightly uncomfortable, but nothing more. Did need to have to arrange for someone to collect me from the hospital and drive me home though.

I've had two with no sedation. I had to do it that way because I had driven myself to the hospital. However, the third time, I was having a colonoscopy as well, so had a sedative and a friend drove me home. I can honestly say that I had very little discomfort, even without the sedative, and it was all over very quickly without fuss. I was a bit disgruntled because the screen was out of my line of sight and I couldn't take a look at what was on camera.

Another little life experience where the anticipation is worse than the actual event. Go annep go!

I have had two of these procedures and I would strongly recommend you have the local anaesthetic it makes everything so much easier, you are aware of everything but can’t feel it.
Please don’t worry annepl it’s not something you would fancy everyday but not that bad either.

My daughter's father-in-law has had several. He seems to think there is nothing to it. He has the sedation and I think it puts him right out.

Thank you everyone. You've made me feel much better. I've been so acared I haven't even thought about the results. Which is good I suppose.

I had one in November, was a total wreck. The staff were so kind, I had sedation (you are not asleep just very relaxed).
It is over so quickly.

Just take all the sedation offered and tell them you are terrified when you go in - good luck! x

I had a gastroscopy a few years ago, linked to my IBS symptoms. I used to make appointments at the hospital, and when I made a gastroscopy appointment for someone I always thought it would be my worst nightmare!
I had very mild sedation and it was fine! Very quickly over and I felt OK afterwards.

annep
I can't even count how many I've had. Honestly ?when it's over you'll kick yourself for all the worrying and sleepless nights. It will be fine ?

It’s awful waiting for something you are dreading isn’t it? I had a gastroscopy a few years ago and whilst it was uncomfortable it wasn’t as bad as I’d feared. I’m sure you will be ok and I hope that the results are good for you ?

Thank you!

Thinking of you.
Be brave - good luck.
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