Colonoscopy without Sedation

My first colonoscopy was with sedation but the medication didn't help much because the procedure was KILLING ME. I kept begging for more meds, they gave them to me, it didn't help, I said to the doctor it feels like your driving your car up my ass. He finally stopped half way through.....what a relief.

Hope I will never have one, but I know that in France they perform colonoscopy under general anesthetic. Patients have to spend half a day in the hospital and they wont let them drive their car home.

Just today I made an appointment for my 2nd drug-free colonoscopy. Not fun, not pleasurable, but not bad.

Going for my third colonoscopy in my life tomorrow. Gonna be knocked out though. I had my first without sedation and got to watch on the monitor. I think I prefer being asleep.

David 😃

First off, sorry for bringing this up on a fetish board, but I know that this group is an understanding group and i would get some serious responses.

I am overdue for my colonoscopy and know that I should get one. The problem is that I am afraid to go to it. No, not because a doctor intends to shove a camera up my bottom, but because of the anesthesia. In the US they seem to want to really drug you up. They are talking about Propofol and other drugs which just seem un-necessary to me. I don't like the effects of these powerful drugs but so far, I have not been able to find a GI doctor who seems open to no or minimal sedation. They seem to think I am some kind of weirdo who wants things shoved up my ass (Well I am, but that's not the case here) .

I get the impression that the doctor's just want to drug me up to make their jobs easier and faster (need to go slow if there is no sedation)

Does anyone have experience with a non-sedated colonoscopy? Was it as bad as the doctors make it out to be? Can it be done with a less powerful drug? If so what seems to be a good compromise?

I had a colonoscopy about a year ago here in the UK.

I wasn't sedated but was able to use Etonox, gas and air, when I needed it.

I used it now and again to take the edge off the discomfort.

Not totally successful but it helped.

I would do a search on no anesthesia colonoscopy. You are right the doctors would prefer you to be out so they would not be distracted from any discomfort on your part. And I would imagine they can go faster because there are no distractions from your discomfort.

A while back I saw on the TV show The Doctors, two of the doctors went in to have their colonoscopies done. One opted for anesthesia and one did not. The one that did not did show a fair amount of discomfort during the procedure.

I have had one done under anesthesia and it was no big deal. I am totally anal erotic and love things up my ass, but when the next time comes around for another colonoscopy, I will opt for anesthesia.

I have had five with anesthesia. The first one was done with Versed; I will never allow one to be done with that drug again due to the amnesia it imparts on you once you "wake up". You don't REALLY wake up until about six hours later due to the amnesia, BUT you just don't know it until it all wears off-that's when you find out what actually went on during your "amnesia state".

The next four involved propofol which I tolerated well. You wake up quickly from this drug and you are alert right away.

I had my latest this past March and I found a female doctor that does colonoscopies without anesthesia if you ask her for that option. The prep nurses did insert a Cath needle in the back of my hand "just in case" they needed to drug me up. The doctor started the procedure and started inflating my bowel with CO2 to aid movement of the scope through my large intestinal tract. After she had the scope mid-way through my transverse colon, I had her halt for about 30 seconds to allow the pressure to ease somewhat before finally making her way down the ascending colon to my appendix juncture. While I had her halt, I practiced some "lamaze" breathing exercises to ease the pressure feeling. A nurse held my hand during the entire procedure and she stated she never felt me putting any "death grips". on her during the procedure. Both nurses in attendance had never witnessed a colonoscopy without anesthesia and they were amazed at the outcome. I watched the whole procedure on the TV monitor and was probably in the procedure room 15 minutes total.

Once they wheeled me into "recovery", they pulled the needle they never used, gave me my photo results from the doctor, and I drove away for a restaurant breakfast.

This was my first colonoscopy where I didn't have any polyps; I'd like to think my weekly enema series I've been able to do in retirement had some bearing on that outcome.....

I plan do do my next colonoscopy in five years the same way.

I am a retired physician and have had three colonoscopy without anesthesia at my request. I did receive a smooth muscle relaxant which helps prevent cramping. I did not find the procedures to be uncomfortable and watched it on the monitor. It would be best,if you want to try it,to ask for sedation if you find you need it. Discuss it with your endoscopicopist and if he will not go along, seek one who will.

I do them without and done five that way. I have not had a problem except once I cramped four a few minutes. The cramp went away. The last one I was wheeled into room at 0630 and in the parking lot at 0718.

Course

I've had a colonoscopy done with being put under and had no problems at all, just had to have someone bring me there and pick me up again when I was done. Felt fine went out for breakfast afterward then went home and rested the rest of the day.

Ive ha done with no aneasthesia ,,,did feel like i was getting dyno rodded but i was ok

Botox wrote up his experience: https://www.zity.biz/index.php?mx=blog;ox=showblog;id=1102

Have had three or four and have never taken any sedation. The prep is worse than the actual test. I always like watching it on the screen, very informative . Any time you can stay away from drugs the better. Just my take.

I surmise if procedure is not painful for a person or the person has a high pain tolerance, skipping sedation is okay. Doctor says I have 'excessive' curvature of the sigmoid, so it's painful going in, somewhat more that I want to experience. So she gives me more than usual amount of sedation.

A book I was looking at on sedation and anesthesia options for surgery and medical procedures cited a study that showed some very high proportion (I think it was 70 of 75 or similar) of people who went in for colonoscopy wanting to not have sedation, understanding what the procedure entailed (and, though it didn't cover this, I assume having a doctor that supported that and was a bit more careful) were successful at completing the procedure without needing the sedation or being in distress.

The takeaway seemed to be that people who had the desire, were calm, and knew what they were getting into didn't have a problem, whereas people who were anxious and thought it would be terrible had a bad experience in most cases.

Had my fourth colonoscopy just last week. All without sedation. The amount of discomfort I experience surely is not worth sedation. They still insist on starting an IV just in case. Not too happy about that. After five minutes of trying to hit a rolling vein in my hand I said you won't need it anyway but she went to my elbow. Had one or two polyps removed on three occasions so good I go through the trouble. Did have a bit of a mishap when the doctor rotated the camera 180 before exiting and caused a small tear requiring placement of three clips to prevent bleeding. When I saw that I said "well that wasn't suppose to happen". The doctor probably thought great it would have to happen on a non-sedated patient. My practice has changed from using air to open the colon to CO2 and water. Less cramping and had no gas to pass afterward, CO2 is absorbed.

Has anyone, male or female, had a colonoscopy without sedation? I heard some people have this as an option. My only one I was sedated. Thinking of being not sedated on my next one.

Here is another discussion that address colonoscopies with and without sedation

https://en.zity.biz/index.php?mx=forum;ox=display;topic=85322

I’d also like to hear from those who have had “unsedated” colonoscopies. I have had three or four sigmoidoscopies which were unsedated. I remember having A LOT of gas and some cramping from those experiences, which were done in my doctors office years ago. I’ve been knocked out for all three of my colonoscopies….

Topics were merged.

I may be the exception, being the anal loving person I am. However, all of my past three Colonoscopies were performed without sedation. And, all were erotically pleasurable. If anything the slight airy pain & pressure that accompanied my attractive female doctor made the procedure even more erotic for me. Regardless, if you are an otherwise healthy male, and your doctor is experienced, the procedure will seem like a high, soapsuds enema with the added benefit of you being able to watch the long tube working it's way up into your colon.

I had a colonoscopy in mid November 2021 without sedation. My GI doctor was a very attractive female. Very experienced, very gentle. it was no big deal. Best of all, no polyps.

I had a colonoscopy without sedation last year. Thought I'd try it so I wouldn't have to bother anybody to drive me home. Nurse told me if it got too uncomfortable, they'd sedate me. The only time it was uncomfortable, was when they were going around the bend and she massaged my tummy to get me through it. They snared two polyps and it was kinda cool watching it on monitor. Piece of cake and don't have to go back for 7 years. 😃 And I'll do it without next time too.

I agree with Mike45 completely. Only way to go, unless you have big intestinal issues. When done just get up, put your pants on, and go about your day.

Like it never even happened.

At my last colonoscopy I asked the nurse if anyone ever asked not to be sedated. She replied she’d never heard of anyone not being sedated. She looked like she’d been around for awhile, maybe just new to the gastro group.

I was given “the juice“ but apparently not enough of it and woke up before the procedure was completed. I was a bit uncomfortable but watched it from a computer screen above my head. Interesting to say the least

I had a colonoscopy on February 7th, two weeks back.

I also opted for no sedation. And really, the only thing that caused me discomfort was the air they pumped in. But thankfully I was able to relax my sphincter enough that it just all escaped the moment the pump stopped 😃 So no flatulence afterwards.

I found the exam interesting and asked lots of questions. I was amazed how clean everything was. I took good care in drinking loads and loads, while the laxative did its thing.

Thankfully nothing serious was found, except stage two internal hemorrhoids. But at least half of the World's population has those, so…

My last two colonoscopies were without any sedation. Yes, there was a lot of gas, cramping, etc. And my doctor also removed several polyps each time. But even with some discomfort, I would still do it again without sedation. I really don't like the feeling after being sedated.

... I really don't like the feeling after being sedated.

I definitely agree with you about that. However, everytime I get a colonoscopy I also have the upper scope due to digestive issues. So unfortunately, I am always sedated.