Colonoscopy sedation

You're so right, my goof!!

Colonoscopy Sedation...

I have had two without sedation, two with sedation. Two different GI MD's. I completely enjoyed the two that I had without sedation.

As for the two with sedation, I was actually inpatient at the time. I did ask the MD if he would do it without sedation. As I was dealing with excruciating pain from pericarditis, he said my body would welcome the use of fentanyl. Now he had my attention for sure! I knew what that was, have had it many times in the OR for knee surgeries to relax. I agreed that the fentanyl would be a nice change from the morphine and other stuff I was being given for pain. In fact I even asked him to push more during the scopes. He did. He kept me in recovery for quite a while and let me enjoy the fentanyl pushing and even orderd that I have some given for a while when I was back in my hospital room for the next few days. The fentanyl was IV push, not IM injection.

As for my overall preference, I prefer the colonoscopy to be done without any sedation of any kind.

I've had one with sedation but turned into a long exam so sedation had practically worn of by the end.

I've had a bunch..don't remember how many, 10 or so. A couple I remember most of the procedure, others none at all. I find the ones I don't remember the most disturbing.

I am going in soon for Yet Another Upper GI scope, and I am stressing about it.

Nope...No sedation here. In fact the doctor even turned my bed around so I could see exactly what he saw while he was doing the procedure. I was fascinated! I ended up helping him because when he was removing the three or four polyps I realized I should hold my breath to make it easier for him to grab them.

One of the nurses asked me about the pain and it was only then I realized there was some pain. Again, I was so fascinated with watching the camera looking at my colon that I completely ignored the pain.

Afterwards I was really hungry from the fasting so I went to Hooters for a beer and hamburger.

For my colonoscopy this morning I was given propofol. I remember talking to the doctor, then after the medication was injected, the room started to spin before I went out, and I woke up in recovery afterwards.

I have had tow colonoscopies over the last 6 years and for both of them I was given Versed to put me out while the doc looked for Amelia Earhart.

Had my second one at the beginning of December. The routine was the same as last time; I reported to the hospital, got undressed, and into my gown, and the nurses tried to find a vein for the IV. For some reason, this time the first nurse trying it, had a dickens of a time, so she called a more experienced (I almost said older, sorry) nurse, who didn't give up until she had it in; my left hand sort of looked like someone had used a hammer on it when she was done, but the darn thing was in.

I have a lot of veins, nicely exposed, but apparently there are little valves in them which block the IV sticker. Once again, I had to sign the video release... and at least this time, I wasn't bumped by an emergency, so once I was in the C.R. (that's what I call it, an O.R. with the colonoscopy equipment mounted, including the very long tube, which is being held up off the floor by all sorts or articulated arms, the anaesthetist told me he was going to 'give it to me', and the next thing I remember I was waking up in the recovery room. The doctor dropped by before I left the hospital, and said he was very satisfied (almost said happy) that he didn't find anything... that is, no evidence of cancer, polyps or whatever other things he was looking for. My next one is scheduled for ten years from now. I am heartened by his optimism, that is that I will still be here ten years from now 😄 😄 😄 . In Alberta, because of the Health Plan, we are sheltered from what one of these procedures cost. Would anyone mind telling me how much it costs to have one done in the U.S.? I realize it might vary depending on the location. The procedure I had was handled as a 'day surgery' at a small (1 floor) hospital, the doctor who did it is a full blown Proctologist.

Oh, and he was very satisfied with the cleanliness of my colon this time 😄 😄 😄 .

Cos.

Here in the US, my colonoscopy came in at about $1500, with about the same tacked on for polyp removal and biopsy. I checked the procedure codes they were billed under, and they were correct. That doesn't include fees for the pathologist but does include sedation.

Thank goodness we don't have to pay for treatment here in the UK had mine done and had treatment for enlarged prostate

Had mine without sedation just a local anaesthetic watched as the camera as he took a sample and saw the bleeding then saw the laser heal it

[quote author=arigato link=topic=38318.msg414185#msg414185 date=1327006349]

had mine without sedation just a local anaesthetic. . . .

[/quote]

LOCAL ANESTHESIA for a colonoscopy??? Care to elaborate??

Ladydocisin:

Thanks for the info; we in Canada are quite often unfamiliar with the costs; and I appreciate your attention to my query. Was the one you quoted held in a hospital? Or a Clinic? I have a feeling a hospital visit would be more expensive than a clinic. Interesting, the lab work is separate. A lot of people sort of forget that. I had a polyp removed during my first colonoscopy; I'm sure it was analyzed.

Sometimes I think that the physicians here are sort of spoiled; they can haul off and prescribe a procedure without worrying about the patient refusing because he can't afford it; but the result is that Health Care is about the biggest single item on a provincial budget.

thanks again,

stay safe and stay well,

Cos.

Cos - my colonoscopy was performed in an outpatient clinic in the same building as my gastroenterologist's office. One side of the building is the GI's office and the other side is the Endoscopy Center. Clearly the EC is owned by the physicians that own the practice but billing as a freestanding endoscopy center is advantageous to them. US physicians are pretty free and easy when they hand out orders for procedures and meds, they have no idea what things cost either. At least it seems that way.

Any tissue that is removed from the body is sent for pathology.

Health care is certainly the biggest part of my budget, and it's pretty provincial, but I know what you meant.

Hmmmm....

The costs of procedures, tests, blood work draws, visits with your physician, and don't get me started on how many seperate bills there are if you are inpatient.... I can definitely see this thread turning political! So sad. Seems everyone has their hand out to bill for even the most tiny act of service. So sad and tragic... Insurance companies, their stock holders, the loopholes, the fraud, physicians over ordering to protect themselves from sue happy frivolous law suits, then not being able to order because the insurance said no and the patient is then unable to get done what needs to be done...

Need I go on? This is just barely touching the surface of countless factors that go into this. I voice these thoughts as one who has seen several sides of this quanandrum. GGGGGGGGRRRRRRR!!!

~Just my opinion and thoughts~

Andrea... just cool your jets... No intention of political discussion was mine. I know how frustrating some of these things seem, but no need to raise your blood pressure over them; that won't solve matters... just relax. You might consider a nice relaxing enema; the can be quite soothing, you know 😄 .

Cos

Whoa !! Cos - where in Andrea's contribution was she saying you were making a political discussion?

The substance of what Andrea said was that everyone was money orientated - I assume she was basing that on her experience in the USA - and that if the money wasn't forthcoming whatever treatment was needed wouldn't be done.

From what you say you folks in Canada are protected from huge medical bills - as we in the UK are - but we must allow folks to vent, whose experience is different.

So maybe adjust that nozzle - just a little bit?

Cos,

I agree with Big K. I posted my thoughts regarding what happens in the USA. I have seen countless sides of what and what is not available as basic patient care and beyond that depending on if a person does not have insurance to state funded insurance, insurance through the employer, privately bought insurance and what is and not covered. The whys and why nots. The numbers of cost that Ladydocisin is posting is outrageous is the amounts billed, yet its the reality of healthcare here. There are many here who have no true clue about healthcare costs and what happens and does not happen unless they have had exposure to it.

As I saw the thread about the costs and pathology that is automatically ordered, etc etc etc, I felt compelled to post and point out info that is not commonly well known. An enema you propose I need? Well, not my thing, though if it is what you do to relax, then take one for me 😄 . I do many other things to relax and release the tension 😉 . No, I did not allow it to raise my blood pressure.

While I respect the views expressed by various posters, I feel the need to remind everyone that the topic is COLONOSCOPY SEDATION and not the vagaries of the health care system. Let's keep it on topic please.

Wow ... I lost track of how many I've had. A whole bunch of years ago I had a persistent polyp that regrew a few times and took a few swipes before convincing it to stop that. So I was on a 6 month or yearly schedule for a while. But that was years ago and I now only grace the GI clinic's waiting room every 6 years. My last was a few months ago and I'm still clean!

I can't imagine anyone doing the whole nine yards without a sedative. I would think that the patient's behavior under the stress would have to be pretty predictable during the more delicate parts, like when they have to snip something.

The last words from the doc before snoozing off is usually something to the effect that they will transfer me to general surgery if they encounter something beyond the resources or staff they have there, or if they perforate my colon. From what I understand, some polyps can be pretty large and they may have to take more invasive steps to control the bleeding and the situation. I can't imagine that a yelling and screeming patient would help.

As I remember,there is a colonoscopy-lite where they just do a peek into the last 25% or so of the colon. Some docs do that in the office with no sedation and just the help of a nurse assistant. If they find anything of concern they yhen send you to the GI specialist or specialty clinic for the full 9 yards. That test just lasts a few minutes. My very 1st one was that colonoscopy-lite. It was very uncomfortable ... it downright hurt. But the doc didn't do anything beyond peek ... and say "oh-oh" and send me to a specialist. Regardless, I can't imagine anyone withstanding the comfort for more than a few seconds without yelling or screaming.

It's pretty hard to determine the cost of medical procedures in the US ... even if you are paying cash on the spot. It gets even more complicated when considering the tax consequences. There's considerable cost shifting and there's selective government subdizing, either directly or indirectley via selective favorable tax treatment.

Without insurance I'd probably call a lawyer to help me negotiate the final bill ... or consider having anything serious done elsewhere. To show the extremes, I've seen a simple hospital blood test listed at $80 as the sticker price. But when an insurance company pays the bill they gat a $60 discount, which means that it only cost them $20 for what it would cost a cash-in-hand customer $80.

The US is going through a "scratch your head" period for health care. It's anyone's guess where it will end up. We're also on the leading edge of a supply crisis as 40 million WW2 related baby boomers pass the age of 65 and roll into government paid Medicare, and put ever increasing demands on the system. The next few years should be pretty interesting.

On a couple of my coloncopys (.. ies?) there were periods of marginal awareness where I could see the video monitor and listen to the staff, but drifting in and out was more like a dream with only spotted pieces of memory afterwards. I would have appreciated the opportunity to witness the entire process.

Some years ago I was fortunate to have an MD radiologist perform a sonogram and he turned the video screen so I could see what he was seeing. He pointed out my various organs and paused to show me the heart valves flapping. He expressed envy for my heart and asked me to consider swapping with his 😃 It was all a very casual exchange as he checked off everything that looked ok. Eventually he found what he was looking for .. gall stones.

I really appreciate being aware and an observer of such medical processes. Not that it's fun or anything but it is like being a serious participant in a real life drama that included myself.

Many years ago as a young lad, I had one in Holland. There was no sedation and just that awkward feeling.

Andrea:

Thank you for your explanatory reply. I was only querying the cost, because I, too, believe that "knowledge is a gift", and I was curious, as some of this type of information is just not readily available here in Canada. I would expect the cost to be somewhat higher in my particular case (and others who have had it done in the same manner), because of the involvement of the Hospital; and a real genuine Anaesthetist (another specialist, of course), to administer the sedation. All I really meant in my reply to you was that it was not my intention to get into a discussion of the various healthcare systems, each of which has its own peculiarities, politics and shortfalls. I am glad that you didn't get 'bent out of shape', your first reply sort of sounded like you might be getting 'wound up', and I was concerned that I might have 'struck a tender chord'.

BigK: I adjusted the nozzle a bit

Cos.

My wife has a colonoscopy prescribed every six months under general anaesthetic.

My GP has referred me for a colonoscopy and I just got a call from them. I asked for no sedation and they are ok. Said I needed a 2-day prep. Not sure what that will involve. Waiting for then to call with my appt. Probably have to do it on a Monday so I can use the weekend for the prep.

I have had four colonoscopies over the last 25 years and have never taken any sedation with them. They didn't really hurt, but it was a bit uncomfortable when the nurse pushed her fist into my left side trying to get the scope to go somewhere it didn't want to go. Once she removed her fist, no more discomfort. I don't like to be sedated, to not know what is going on, and liking enemas and the feelings they produce as I always have, I was not going to miss that experience and the feelings that went with it. All four doctors were okay with my staying awake during the procedure. Besides, how many people get to see the inside of their colon on color television. It is the only way to see that.

My wife has a colonoscopy prescribed every six months under general anaesthetic.

Sorry to here that. Sounds serious If that often.

Completely unconscious under general anesthesia. The actual procedure is a non-event. The bowel prep sucked though.