<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> I must be a "gagger" as when I had my first biopsy done, I was semi-sedated and the nurse had to hold my free hand because I kept trying to reach up and grab the tube to take it out. Since my only symptom prior to diagnosis was frequent anemia I had a follow-up biopsy done about 7 mths after I went GF. I told the doc that unless they put my to sleep I wasn't coming back. They did and it was much more pleasant and absolutely no sore throat. The first time I had the same sore throat as you but the second not a "scratch". I would opt for the "sleeping" procedure if I had to do it again. I was in and out of the hospital in the same amount of time for both procedures. Karen Bulmer EDMONTON, ALBERTA E-mail: [log in to unmask]