Colonoscopy

Have you ever had a colonoscopy? Were you sedated? Did you "like" it being done to you?

I had one colonoscopy and the actual procedure was not all that bad. I was mildly sedated but remember everything. The prep the day before was the worst part, and that wasn't as bad as I had heard it was going to be.

No

I've had them with and without sedatives. When administered without sedatives there was a feeling of discomfort as the tube was snaked around some of the intestinal corners. When given with a sedative, I can never stay awake to feel or remember the experience. They certainly cannot beat a fantasy session of enema or colonic play, since you are constantly worried about getting bad news of some dangerous malignancy.

I'd rather not have them if I could avoid them, but as Katie Couric suggests...better safe than sorry.

Never had one, but would probably prefer a little sedation, since it is not the enjoyable experience most on this site have come to expect receiving from enemas and anal play.

For those of us into enemas (I think that's YOU since you're partipating in E4F), I highly recommend doing colonospies WITHOUT sedation. That way you can feel the large tube threading its way up your colon all the way to your cecum (the top of your large intestine) which is on the right side of your abdomen. Without the sedation you also can get up and go without a recovery period.

I also recommend ignoring all those nasty laxatives they want you to take, and instead take a thorough series of large volume high enemas until you are "clear". When I did the "golitlely" laxative it was so ineffective I had to do a second colonoscopy!

By the way, having taken regular and frequent enemas for over 50 years, I was delighted when the Dr. spontaniously announced (unaware of my practices) "You have a very healthy looking colon" !!!!

Had a colonoscopy a couple of years ago, no sedation, very easy proceedure, enjoyed it. Didn't tell my doc that I was an anal erotic though!

I have never had one. My primary care Dr. tried to talk me into one, and I told him I was willing to have one done if my Cardiologist OK'd it. I'm retired military, and February is "Colonoscopy Month" at the military medical facilities. I think the Docs must get a bonus for each colonoscopy, because they "sell" the heck out of them like a sales contest at a car dealership.

I have a cardiac history and was concerned about the "Go litely" type of prep since I need to watch my salt intake. I can't even use the little 4 oz. Fleet due to the sodium content, so I really wasn't willing to take a gallon or so of sodium orally.

A local colonic parlor advertises that they can do the prep for colonoscopies or other bowel procedures, so I talked to my Cardiologist hoping that he would suggest an enema or colonic type of prep. He's apparently not an enema guy, and told me and my primary care guy that he recommended against a colonoscopy or me unless there were symptoms or other reasons to have one.

Hagar,

First, thank you for your national service as a retired military man. Coming up on July 4, hats off to you and your fellow service personnel, past and present.

Regarding your GP's recommendation for a colonoscopy, the importance of one is driven by your age and family history of colon problems. I don't have sodium intake restrictions, and have had twp colonscopies. For the first, I was a good patient and followed the Go-lytely protocol. Downing a gallon of that stuff was nauseating and miserable, not to mention the amount of time in the bathroom. For my second colonscopy, I had a two-hour colonic session and did not tell the doc. During the exam, the doc complimented me on my 'prep' and how well I had followed the fast and Go-lytely routine. What he didn't know won't hurt him. There is a hospital in Connecticut that now offers colonics immediately before a scheduled colonscopy. If your colon therapist knows what he/she is doing, and is willing to spend more time with you for a few extra 'fills', I think your prep will be as good, if not better, than with Go-lytely. That stuff is pure wicked.

Hagar, have a good Fourth!

This will be colonoscopy number 4 for me. I have never been sedated and never found it to be a major discomfort; but then, my doctor isn't in a hurry.

I have done the 2 Fleet® Phospho-soda® routine(with enemas till clear in the AM), a Fleet Prep Kit #2 (which ends with enemas until clear)and a combo of One Fleet® Phospho-soda® & followed by a Bisacodyl Suppository. The most complete preps were the ones where I followed with enemas until clear. FYI: the Fleet® Phospho-soda® isn't bad mixed in a margarita (salty taste and margaritas go together), do not do frozen margaritas because the brain freeze trying to finish quickly is a bitch. This way you don't care about having to be on a liquid diet.

No, I have not. I know the day is coming, and have mixed feelings about it. I think I would NOT like to be sedated, if that is possible. I would like to remember and feel the experience of it all. Is it possible NOT to have sedation?

My GP's suggestion was based mostly on my age and "Colonoscopy Month" at the clinic.

Part of the reason the Cardiologist advised against it was the lack of a family history or other risk factors. As an alternative, I had to take the "Occult Blood test". Not as thorough as the "scope", but an alternative.

If the subject comes up at my next exam, I will specifically ask about the colonic as an alternative prep.

It's a good bet your doc will nix a colonic prep if you ask him. Best to ask a colon therapist in your area what their experience has been with prepping patients for colonoscopies. My therapist, an RN by training, was very understanding and encouraging, having gone through several colonscopies herself because of IBS. She was good enough to schedule a special two hour evening session for me the eve before my last 8am colonscopy. I also appreciated that she didn't charge me anything extra (though I offered) above the fee for a one-hour session,

The procedure has never been a problem for me in the 3 times it has been done. The prep with liquid Golitely is disgusting, however. The stuff is retched to drink but now there is a somewhat better product in pill form - you have to take lots of pills during the hours before the procedure and drink lots of water but it's better than drinking the very ill tasting liquid. Still lots of time on the toilet, of course. All in all though I don't find a colonoscopy something to dread and be fearful of. I have always been sedated (though not totally unconscious) during the procedure and I think the staff doing it think that is safer for the patient in case some might "panic" during it.

As for enjoying it, yes, in a kind of weird way. Certainly not like an enema, but feeling the entry and exit in the anus is wonderful. Haven't tried to avoid the "prescribed" clean out so far and doubt that I will since I wouldn't want to have to repeat a colonoscopy immediately especially if it would bring up payment question - i.e. having to foot the over $1K cost by myself!

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No, I have not. I know the day is coming, and have mixed feelings about it. I think I would NOT like to be sedated, if that is possible. I would like to remember and feel the experience of it all. Is it possible NOT to have sedation?

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Yes, no sedation is a patients choice and right. The first doctor who told me "no, I won't do a colonoscopy without sedation" heard from me "We agree then you won't do my colonoscopy, you failed the interview". His reaction was why would you want to?" and the answer was "Because if and when you mess up, I want to be first to know it. Let's say trust has to be earned." The next one I met agreed to no sedation with stipulations. She has been my GI ever since. After the first time she had earned my trust.

Drinking the "go-lightly" was a horror! The procedure itself was not at all stimulating as a result of being sedated.

The prep the night before was a sum bitch but the procedure was done while I was out like a lite.

Woke up, had a coffee, got dressed and came home.

I agree. The prep is the worst part. I tried to do it without sedation, but the doctor pumped too much air in and the pain was bad enough that I asked for the sedation. I think the doctor did it on purpose.

The prep wasn't bad but i was poorly sedated and had pain during the procedure

Yes and I enjoyed it. I took an enema before and after drinking all that liquid. I feel the one before cleared the way for the liquid to flow out without building up pressure. They would not let me stay awake for the procedure, but I convinced them to wake me bfore the end of the procedure and let me watch the screen. Also what a great feeling when that large nozzle comes out.

Jagson

Yes, twice, lost about 6 pounds after each one, but it returned (the weight) quickly (Budweiser helps)

I'm going for my first one this September.

I had a colonoscopy a few years ago, the procedure was not bad, and the M.D. had the screen set up so I could watch, it was interesting. The prep was a bitch. I was like drinking oil, and I kept gagging on it. I would have preferred enemas till clear, but the doc said now when I suggested it. ???

I've never had any meds for any of mine... so far i've had 12 or so in the last year and a half...

I use Magnesium Citrate for my prep... 10oz of that is a lot easier than a half gallon of GoLytely or HalfLytley...

The last 5-6 times they asked if I would mind having nursing students in the room.... of course I said sure, let them stay... talk about erotic adventures... any way... they had 2 big monitors in the GI lab... the Dr is working the tube and i'm laying there giving commentary like it the Discovery channel or something...

Why 12 colonoscopies you ask... broad base pre-cancerous polyp in the area of my small intestine, large intestine juncture... regular procedure is to cut you from your ribs to your belly button and remove your intestines, then cut out the bad donut portion and put it all back inside.... but lucky me... i'm alergic to anesthesia... so every 6 weeks for 12 visits... 5 feet of scope... a few layers burned at a time and a biopsy till we get to good cells....

all in all... still erotic... i love the deep penetration... the scope snaking it's way... a little air every now and then... and on the way out they always work the tube in and out for several minutes to ... get out the trapped air and water.... but then again... i've got a good Dr... and a room full of young nurses to look at... all i have to do is pick one and close my eyes 😁

I had it done, maybe ten years ago, without sedation. The clinic strongly recommended it, but I was adamant about remaining unsedated ("Either the sedatives go, or I go"). There was some mild pain when the scope reached a bend, but mostly it was just cramping and uncomfortable pressure. Really not any worse than the prep you go through beforehand.

Personally, I think there's an ulterior motive in the clinic wanting patients to be sedated, i.e., it's harder to sue them if you don't remember anything.

Yes, I had one done about 8 years ago and due to the sedation had no memory of any part of it. 😢 I think based on what others have said if I have another I will certainly request that it be with no sedation. I'm sure I'd find any pain quite tolerable and I suspect I might actually enjoy the sensations.

It also would be preferable to know what was going on.

I did not find the preparation too bad but not at all pleasant.

Have had two. Both times sedated. First time was very lightly sedated but second time was out. Recovered in recovery room and when told I could leave, could barely stand up to put my underwear on - had to use the wall to brace myself. Preferred the light sedation as recovery was very quick, while heavy sedated put me down for the whole day. Of course the prep was the worst part. After starting the prep had to stand in my bathroom sans underwear while drinking that nasty stuff, so I could get to the toilet fast enough.

I've had one colonoscophy. I was sedated and don't remember much about the procedure. The cleanout was something else. Quite an experience.

I had one and was given an I-V before I was transported to the treatment room. I was told it was to rehydrate me. I asked not to be sedated but the doctor said there was a mild sedative in the I-V which to make it easier for them. They put the monitor so that I could see what was happening and I could answer some questions. One question was if I had my appendix out. I said yes about 10 years ago. The doctor said there was a lump and he knew there was no problem but they still biopsied it. I felt very little but when I was wheeled into the wake-up room I still had to wait 30 minutes. I could have driven home but they and my wife said no.

I have upset a few admitting people because I write with a red tipped pen across the consent form "No Sedation!" I agree to the IV for hydration and just in case there's a oops. They also know there is no one there with me. The first time I did this I told the doctor to remember that I was driving home after it was over; so, if I have to be sedated it better be because I had to be admitted. Never had an issue yet.