Colonoscopy

I have had 5 colonoscopy, the first was the most interesting because i ask the doctor if i could see my appendix, he woke me up when he got to it so i could see it on the video screen.

I have had two. Both with sedation. The most recent, I was awake the whole time and watched the procedure on the monitor. Nothing exciting about this medical procedure. The prep is a little annoying but folks like us don't mind using the toilet!

It is inconvenient to have to get a ride home following the procedure but that's better than wrecking your car or hurting someone. The finding and removal of a couple of polyps makes the whole process worthwhile. I have a few friends with colostomy's. Not a pleasant way to live.

Had one, sedated that it knocked me out before it started and came to after over - no big deal.

Prep was my biggest fear but that wasn’t bad either.

I was not sedated. It would have been very erotic if the attending nurse was doing it instead of the male doctor.

Just had my second colonoscopy and I was sedated both times....second time was better than first with the solution going down....but it did go well

Had my first colonoscopy about 6 months ago. I was not sedated. I specifically ask for no sedation. My gastroenterologist was very gentle, the procedure was no big deal. I did not have any discomfort. Had 1 polyp. She told me to return in 5 years.

I had my second one last month. The first was 11 years ago.

I told the doctor that they should sedate you before you have to drink the prep, which is terrible.

I think doing the colonoscopy without sedation would not be a problem for me. Next time I will ask for no sedation and see what happens.

I have had 5 since 2011 The second one was a day after my first to help fix a bleeding site from where a polyp the size of a 50 cent piece was removed. Doctor told me if I waited a few more months I would have had to be cut open like a fish . His words, I had one the year after and he found 3 more smaller polyps. None have been cancer thank god. I have been sedated for all of them But I woke up during my 3rd one and the doctor said You have to lay still!!!! I said WTF 2x loudly and was back to sleep It felt like I was getting run through with a sword!!! That was my last from that doctor I am on an every three year plan now and last two were good except they always find something so I will keep on going. The prep is better now it has been something called Suprep only drink 8oz of solution mixed with 8 oz water or Gatorade. then drink 32 oz of plain cold water within an hr. Then repeat 6hrs b4 procedure From reading others that don't like to be sedated I have all the respect for you everyone is different. I just don't want to be awake for it!!! Most important thing if recommended Get it done. I am not a medical person but have gone through it5 times in 8 years just my 2cents it can save your life very high survival rate if they catch it soon. I have lost a couple friends that didn't get checked one younger than me.

Get my next colonoscopy on the April 30th. I will be sedated. What I "like" about it will be a (hopefully) clear bill of health!!!

I had one recently which almost certainly saved my life. Get them done on time folks... while the prep sucks, it's a walk in the park compared to cancer!

@pmoi I agree 100%. I had a colonoscopy recently to rule out potential causes of Iron Deficiency Anaemia (which was only discovered by chance as a result of a routine blood test). I was shocked to have Colorectal Cancer diagnosed. The frightening is that I have had no symptoms. I have been lucky...it has been caught early. I have to have a big operation shortly, but I have been told that I have an excellent chance of a complete cure with no need for Chemo or Radiotherapy.

I had one at 60 only because one of my very close childhood friend died of colon cancer. The prep was the worst part and they put in an IV so the procedure was pretty unremarkable. I did wake up towards the end and saw this scissor like thing snipping something on the screen but overall no big deal. You couldn't go home until you farted but recovery for me was pretty fast as well. I don't have to come back until 70 so overall I would say no big thing.

I've had two colonoscopies, both without sedation. Just in case I let them put in an IV and let just saline run in, so if sedation were suddenly needed, it could be given essentially instantly. It wasn't on either occasion.

During the exam I was able to watch what the doctor was seeing through the 'scope on a TV. Frankly, the whole procedure was a complete bore. I could see my colon increase in diameter when air was pumped in. There is not a lot to see otherwise.

Incredibly, near the end of the exam the doctor turned the end of the 'scope into a "U" and looked backwards at my anus... from the inside. I could see the 'scope entering me. Really weird.

During one exam, the doctor found a small polyp and put a clip on it and cut it off. I covered my eyes during that part. I felt ono pain.

The two preps were somewhat different. The first time, there was nothing but liquids the day before. At 2pm I had to take 4 Dulcolax pills. At 6pm, I had to start drinking GoLytely... a glass full every 15 minutes. About 7, I felt the Dulcolax starting to work. I was actually pretty constipated and had done nothing in advance of the prep. Big mistake. The time from the start of the cramps to having to go was perhaps 15 minutes. There was no time for the poo to get soft and the Dulcolax forced the big, hard poo out.

Very uncomfortable. The lesson is don't be constipated at the start of a bowel prep. For the next couple of hours I was sitting on the toilet, pooing and drinking the GoLytely.

Even after all the prep there were flecks of poo visible in the 'scope during the exam. Fortunately the colonoscope had provisions to wash out and drain this stuff.

I'm inclined to think the olde time preps were probably more thorough. For example, the Fleet preps were a dose of castor oil, Dulcolax pills, and a large volume soapy enema.

Colonoscopies are a great advance in diagnostics, the radiologists will tell you the 'virtual 'scope i.e. C/T scans are not as thorough. The prep isn't too bad if you have the time to hang around home. Genetics may pre-dispose you to polyps, as stated earlier; the 'scope is way better than cancer.