Colonoscopy without Sedation

I was sedated slightly but was awake and watched the whole thing. And felt the Doctor do a Rectal Exam prior to the procedure.

I had one 5 years ago without sedation. But they still stick the IV into your hand just the same, just in case. Everyone seemed surprised i was going to be awake. I only felt pain a couple times when they blow air into the scope to expand the colon to go around corners, i guess. The scope did feel really good on the way out. i wish the doctor could have spent more time on that part. I'm due for another this year.

I was “awake” for one a few years ago (maybe more than a few, but….), I gotta tell ya…..DULLEST damn TV I've ever seen!!!!

I had one 5 years ago without sedation. But they still stick the IV into your hand just the same, just in case. Everyone seemed surprised i was going to be awake.

When Susie had her colonoscopy without sedation she refused to let them put an IV in. She said she would “gut it out” if it became uncomfortable. Sou had planned on driving herself home and no “back-up” plan was in place….that would be a problem. Did they ask if someone was available to get you if they did knock you out??

I have had four colonoscopies since the early 1990s and had no sedation for any of them. I also did one endoscopy with no sedation, too. I just don't like to not know what is going on and I don't like being put to sleep. I think they put an IV in you just in case they perforate your colon, which would require immediate surgery. They could just put you out if they did perforate the colon and rush you into surgery.

Were the colonoscopies painful? No, just a bit uncomfortable once when the nurse pushes hard on my left side to make the scope go where they want it to, but that is the only time and it's not painful. If you are anally erotic, you like enemas or like fingers or objects back there you probably would enjoy a colonoscopy with no sedation. I know I certainly did each and every time.

I think they put an IV in you just in case they perforate your colon, which would require immediate surgery. They could just put you out if they did perforate the colon and rush you into surgery.

Most colonoscopy’s are done in an outpatient surgery center. Are they equipped to handle something as serious as a perforated colon? Or would they ambulate you to a hospital with a more equipped OR? Seems it would take some time to prep an OR for that serious of a surgery.

Just a question. I’ve no idea of what a surgery center can handle.

Have always done it without medication. Truth is, I rather enjoyed the experience.

Some doctors will not do it without sedation due to the possibility the patient will move suddenly which can cause a perforation and bleed according to the nurse anesthetist the last time I went.

Two years ago, I had my second colonoscopy. I elected not to be sedated the second time and will forgo the sedation in ten years time. There was intense pressure two different times but this lasted for no more than 5 seconds. An unsedated colonoscopy is very doable and it was nice to be able to drive home afterwards.

Last one I did without sedation, very do able with little discomfort. And you don't have to bother anyone else to miss work or ruin their day.

I’m convinced the doctors who require sedation do so for financial reasons alone. The anesthetist needs to make a living.

I’m convinced the doctors who require sedation do so for financial reasons alone. The anesthetist needs to make a living.

I doubt that - the anesthesiologist is present whether you use him or not - and still gets “paid”. It isn't the doctors who run up costs with unneeded procedures, it's the insurance companies and lawyers who put unrealistic demands to reduce liability.

I've had it done without sedation, and I can honestly say it was no big deal. The worst it ever felt was a sort of poking sensation as they were moving it around. I was occupied looking at my insides on the wall screen.

While looking for a previously seen polyp the doc was jerking the scope back and forth, and I was about to say “hey, how about some more lube there, you're gonna wear a groove in it.” Then it was done. Less than ten minutes.

Made a bee-line for a steak sandwich and a beer.

I did without sedation having a work meeting just after. Perfectly tolerable, 30 sec of real pain but nothing terrible, 3-4 min of discomfort, not a big deal.

… 30 sec of real pain but nothing terrible, 3-4 min of discomfort...

@Marcot What exactly was painful about it? I've never had this without sedation, so I'm just curious. From what I've read, I understand cramps can get quite uncomfortable. Plus, there's the fact that something is literally being shoved up your butt, so there is that.

Ugh. I’ve had one and the only thing I looked forward to was the happy juice beforehand (never been more relaxed). It only causes temporary amnesia.

Ugh. I’ve had one and the only thing I looked forward to was the happy juice beforehand (never been more relaxed). It only causes temporary amnesia.

For some. For others it can mess you up more.

I never had one, but it doesn’t seem like it would be done without sedation. We’re not talking about a rectal temperature exactly. Probably third world countries wouldn’t sedate you. Then again, they probably wouldn’t sterilize the equipment either.

I’m convinced the doctors who require sedation do so for financial reasons alone. The anesthetist needs to make a living.

I think you're only half right. Doctors can move much more quickly when the patient is sedated. When you're awake (I've had my last two done while awake), the doctor moves more slowly and takes their time. Since you're awake there are certain parts where they need to take their time to avoid a lot of pain. So yes, it is partly for financial reasons, since if all patients are sedated, they can do more procedures in a day.

Overall, it's not a bad procedure. The actual insertion isn't bad at all (who am I kidding, that's the part I enjoy the most!). For me the painful part is that they pump you full of air and water so you feel very bloated.

It was not very painful but I guess some people will feel less and some more pain depending on intestine condition and skill of operator, I had like 30 sec of pain, 1-2 min of discomfort, For the rest of time minimal discomfort or nothing

I took the meds as I was not sure what to expect

I had my first colonoscopy 10 years ago. I had done a lot of research and decided to have done without sedation. Took many calls to find a Dr. that would agree to no sedation. It is such common practice that once I got undressed and laid on the exam table, the anesthesiologist arrived and started to explain what was going to happen.. I explained that there was to be no anesthesia or there would be no procedure. There was much to do but finally agreed ‘no anesthesia’. They would however put in a saline IV just in case something went south and needed a port for meds in the event of an emergency. It has been 10 years and now time for another colonoscopy. I am having such trouble scheduling. Even with the same Dr. in the practice. “The Dr. will never agree to that!” and “go online and fill out the form, we will let you know when your procedure will be”. is all I can get out the office. So frustrating. Anyway.. enough of the rant! I don't want sedation for many reasons. There was no pain, minimal discomfort and I was able to get off the exam table and drive home. It was a trip watching on the TV screen as the camera traversed my colon. When the Dr. pulled out and said “see you in 10 years” I replied with "10 years?" and he then said ‘yup… 10 years, why did you enjoy that?" I nervously chuckled and said… ah… just seems like a long time. He said “you were clean, we found nothing and you have no history in your family so that’s why such a long time.” P.S., I did enjoy it. LOL.. So hopefully I will win the battle and have the second one done with no sedation. P.P.S. There was a charge on the bill for Anesthesiologist which I questioned but DID have to pay.

Did two colonoscopies without sedation past 2 years.

First time was not good, 5 minutes to observe all Colin look bad doctor.

Little pain then pushed colonoscope.

And cramps after then air left in colon.

Just rest after procedure.

Second time some pain left for couple days, pushed very strong.

I had almost two. The first back in NYC around 2000 with a European female doctor. I elected not to be sedated. The procedure was probably the most pain that I ever felt in my life! The doctor insisted that we finish once we started. What a huge mistake!

I did start to have another procedure in Charlotte, again with a female GI and again with no sedation, but after only maybe 15" to 20" insertion I had to stop the doctor due to the extreme pain. Don't kid yourself, this can hurt like he'll! If I do this again, itwill be with sedation.

DocHoliday

@DocHoliday I agree. I’ll take the sedation. I had 7 or 8 precancerous polyps removed during my colonoscopy in May and have to get another one next year. I’m glad I did it.

My first was around 2005. No polyps we’re found. I started using the FIT test card in 2015 and continued using it until 2021. But I got tired of fishing for poop in the toilet.

Last one I had without sedation. Only slight discomfort a couple times. Snared 3 polyps and procedure only lasted about 15 mins. I'll do it again next time too, that way I don't have to bother anyone and screw up their day. But I have a high threshold for pain. Even get my fillings done without numbing.

Are there any Zity women who have had a hysterectomy who also had a colonoscopy without sedation? I've read that it's more difficult because of the possibility of abdominal adhesions.

Also does someone picking you up have to help you dress if you've been sedated? I really don't want a colonoscopy with or without sedation. I guess I need to stop reading so many horror stories.

I dressed myself after both of my colonoscopies with sedation.

The colonoscopy is a breeze. The prep is the hardest part. You learn to blot gently and not wipe.

Had 3, last one without sedation, piece of cake. He even snared 3 polyps.

I've had one a few years back (I'm due again I think). It was with Propofol and I was out. I have heard that in Europe and Asia that the anesthesia is not routinely done, only in North America. I'd like to do the next one without anesthesia. I've survived intense surgical pain before so I'm sure I'll be fine. I guess the hard part will be finding the GI practice that will do them without anesthesia.