Colonoscopy and Sedation

I have to go in for a colonoscopy this coming Friday which would be April 12th. They are going in through my stoma. I am getting knocked out for it.

Mashie

They should go through your anus also. If they don't, they will be missing the entire distal colon.

They will be going in the bottom portion too from what Doc tells me. My surgeon is a top notch trauma surgeon and he is very thorough.

Mashie.

I have posted on this before but bottom line get it done it can save your life!!!!

They will be going in the bottom portion too from what Doc tells me. My surgeon is a top notch trauma surgeon and he is very thorough.

Mashie.

I won't be surprised if they bill you for a colonoscopy AND a sigmoidoscopy!

I want to be there to know what you're doing to me that would make you say you won't remember it if I give you the happy juice.

Isn't that what they say about why they slice off a baby's foreskin using only duct tape for anesthesia?

The worst part of the whole thing is the prep. I went with sedation and it was a pretty good experience. You can do it without, I know Susie has done it that way but I would rather not have all the gritty details. Your choice.

Watching the colonoscopy without any anesthesia was very interesting. It was like being in the movie Fantastic Voyage.

The prep isn't bad at all. You just stay near a toilet and have chemically induced diarrhea for a few hours. You aren't sick and you feel fine, so it isn't bad.

I think they always use local now for circumcision. The days of claiming that kids don't feel pain are gone.

From what I've read the sedation isn't always so much for the patient. Studies have shown success rates are similar unsedated, and over 80% of patients who did it unsedated would prefer to do it again unsedated. What the sedation does do is make it predictable for the doctors, so they don't have to worry about going as slow, being as gentle, and talking the patients through it, or having patients that complain later and scare off other patients. There's also that it likely became an "established standard of care" back in the days of fiber optic endoscopes that weren't as flexible. Like you, Roscoe, I must admit I personally sort of recoil from the idea that "sure, you may be yelping in pain but it's OK because you won't remember."

Sitting at home I'm comfortable enough with the idea of doing it unsedated to mentally be OK with telling the doctor everything (I doubt it will be "go right now" but there's a good chance they'll catch me in 5 years), though it will be interesting to see if I follow through on that instead of sticking with the "answer only the questions that they ask and cast those answers in the most favorable light." Not doing sedation, one experience of blank spaces in my memories that I had to relearn and "the dementia experience" for a few days is plenty, thank you very much.

I've had two colonoscopies, one in my 20s and the other when I turned 50. I was sedated both times at doc's recommendation. No problems, I'd do it again. However, I wish they'd knocked me out for a barium enema in my 20s when I was having bowel spasms. They gave me something to help calm me down, but that was no picnic. Severe cramping.

I've had 3 colonoscopies without any sedation. It's not really uncomfortable, except for a few times when the nurse pushed on my left side to guide the scope. I had no cramps except for a few small one when the blew in some air, but they were not bad at all. I drove myself and my wife home after each.

If your doctor won't work with you, find another doctor unless there's some valid medical reason for sedation. From the doctor's point of view, sedation allows them to work faster, increasing their profitability. I know this to be true because on my second colonoscopy I heard the doctor say, "If he was sedated we would already be through." Needless to say his bedside manor sucked and I would never go back to him again even though he was a good surgeon. I'm paying for the test and he can do it like I want or he will lose my business for good.

I have also had an endoscopy with no sedation, too. Got to see where my stomach empties into the small intestine in living color on TV. The worst part was the nurse basically laying down on top of me on my side to make sure I wouldn't move I guess, but what she didn't know was that I am claustrophobic and don't like to be confined. I almost lost it a couple of times because of that. Next time I will tell them not to do that. The second worst part was the numbed my throat up so much it was hours before I could eat and swallow and I was starving.

Sedation can be fine if you are alert enough to see the video they make/use during it. At least my doc did and I loved watching the probe make its way along.

I had mine a few years ago. I met my gastroenterologist while being wheeled into to procedure room. "Pleased to meet you sir!" I told him and went on to say: "Normally I'd never let a doctor introduce a scope up my ass on the first visit, but I've heard very good of you!" He replied, "Well thank you very much!...what do you say we do dinner together after this?". We had a good laugh before the propofol (Milk of Amnesia) was pushed. I watched the white fluid flow down the IV tube. When it reached my vein I thought, as usual, "I'm gonna fight it...stay conscious!". Next thing I know I'm in recovery, the study was normal.

That's the most fun I've at the outpatient center since my inguinal hernia repair. Can't wait for the 10 year follow up!

@maddoc63 I have never had colonoscopy although the one surgery I did have the pre OP sedation completely freed the inner smart ass. I had every nurse in the place and my wife in tears.

At our local hospital they made what turned out to be a dumb decision. They apparently got some crazy deal on odor less colorless sanitizer. One that, all though we couldn't see it or smell it, it was making some people have real problems. I was victim number 3. 10 minutes in the colonoscopy holding area and at that time I was healthy. But my vital signs became very erratic very quickly and i was taken to E.D. As I continued to spiral into the outer reaches of space, with a crowd of doctors around my bed trying to figure out why I couldn't blink or speak and my pulse and blood pressure were going from hypotension to stroke danger, another doctor walks in and goes, "I have seen this in 2 other patients last week. Was this guy up on GI holding?" They said, "Yes how'd you know? " He said, "I had 2 patients just like him. Start mainlineing him Diazepam, about 80 mg, was the sweat spot with the other two, sure enough every dental phobe who went near there needed more sedation than the colonscopy patients."

I was supposed to be my wife's safe ride home, instead they had her drive me home .

They have since stopped using that sanitizer up there, but now when some doctor or nurse asks if I am a dental phobic I tell them "completely gutless". I tell what happened at which point they agree. If you can get that sick from something ordinary people don't even know is there?

...I had 2 patients just like him. Start mainlineing him Diazepam, about 80 mg, was the sweat spot with the other two...

So, for those who know, I'm curious - what was going on with the disinfectant? This doesn't seem like what most allergic reactions/treatment I've heard of is, but adverse chemical reactions can be odd.

I'm on the 5 yr plan and have had 3 procedures with sedation with no issues to date. In past years, they've an endoscopy as well. It is something I just prefer sleeping thru. I just hate drinking that nasty stuff even when mixing it with gatorade. I still do an final rinse out the morning of to ensure a good reading, atleast that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I have had two as part of routine care over time. Both were with sedation and totally uneventful and easy as was the prep. I was very alarmed leading up to the first one but it went so well that the second was hardly a concern. Not sure what was given but it was quick and no problems after. Good luck. Please get your routine colonoscopy! I also had one endoscopy; same result. That time was a double header: colonoscopy and endoscopy.

After colon cancer I've had 10-12 colonoscopies every 3 years since 2000. All but the most recent were done using Demerol and Versed for sedation with no problem. My last one this past Jan., they used Propafol for the first time. I woke up quickly, but I was dazed for 3 days after the procedure and unable to drive. In the future, I will insist on the Demerol and Versed again, as I am safe to drive within 24 hrs. I've also had one upper endoscopy, again with Demerol and Versed and everything went fine.

In Europe colonoscopies are sometimes done without sedation, but with the patient able to use Entonox, (also known as 'gas and air' or laughing gas). This has a powerful analgaesic effect if the endoscopist reaches a painful area, but wears off very quickly. Also the patient is in control of when they breathe it or when they don't.

Dr. Fox

For anyone that is going for a colonoscopy, don't bother with any sedation, I had one last year without and my wife had one last week also without, she described it as just like having a baby moving about inside you, no pain or discomfort at all for either of us ;-)

@DrFox

As far as i realised it seems to be very different where in europe.

I had a colonoscop several months ago and asked not to be sedated.

I had to sign for that seperately because as i was told in Germany and Austria it is recommended to be sedated. I was definately minority.

Somone from here told that for example in Great Britain 40% of the colonoscopy procedures take place without sedation.

How it is in other european countries i dont know.

rody

I am on a three year cycle for colonoscopy - history of polyps and colon cancer in both parents -and do not ever take sedation. I figure if I am gonna be on TV, then, by golly, I'm gonna watch!!

I have a colonoscopy next week. It will be done without sedation and with a colonic irrigation as the clean out method instead of the evil laxative. Five years ago when I had my last colonoscopy I did it without sedation and it was fairly painful, but the pain is over quickly. As a friend said "it's only pain". Since I do a lot of high volume enema play, I want to see if I'm doing any damage.

Discomfort during a colonoscopy is really caused by two main factors. Firstly the colon does not usually contain much gas , in order to navigate the Endoscopist needs to introduce air into the colon , which can result in cramping and " gas type discomfort" this is reduced by the use of Carbon Dioxide gas ( CO2) , instead of air ( although some of the older Endoscopist prefer Air to CO2.

Secondly there are multiple loops in the colon particularly the sigmoid colon , when the colonoscope passes around these loops it can cause cramping , after the Endoscopist passes a loop or curve , they straighten the scope and the cramping goes away . The 2 major loops/curves are the Splenic flexure ( under the spleen ) and the Hepatic flexure ( under the liver)..

Conditions which can also cause discomfort and pain include :

Diverticulosis - Diverticulosis is when pockets called diverticula form in the walls of your digestive tract. The inner layer of your intestine pushes through weak spots in the outer lining. This pressure makes them bulge out, making little pouches. Most often it happens in your colon, the lower part of your large intestine.

Adhesions - Adhesions are fibrous bands that form between tissues and organs, often as a result of injury during surgery. They may be thought of as internal scar tissue that connects tissues not normally connected. So anyone have abdominal surgery , including caesarean section, often fine it more difficult to undergo a colonoscopy .

Acute Ulcerative Colitis - Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed. Small ulcers can develop on the colon's lining, and can bleed and produce pus. Can be very painful especially in the rectum and sigmoid colon .

RN

Just did my second colonoscopy without sedation. Instead of the liquid prep, the Doctor's office offered a hydro cleanse i.e. high colonic on an open system. The colon therapist did some reflexology massage on my right foot and hand in order to open the cecum to thorough cleansing along with a lot of direct palpitation on the cecum area. I think the warm water from the high colonic may have relaxed my colon a bit. The procedure followed immediately.

This time it was a lot less painful at least at first. I had requested the Dr to go very slowly as he entered my sigmoid colon and to use warm water instead of air to expand the colon. He refused to do warm water but was very slow in entering me. It wasn't all that uncomfortable until he hit the first real bend entering the transverse colon. Getting around the bend to the cecum was difficult. Having experienced it before, I knew the sharp pain as the assistant pressed on my abdomen and navel as the device penetrated me was not going to continue forever, though I did feel some nausea at that point. I tried to remember to do deep breathing as the device made the sharp turns and remember the mantra "It's only pain".

For the following several hours I did feel some internal tenderness but no real pain. I curtailed any further play until the following day.

I would definitely do this again and suggest the more adventurous folk consider it.

I had one a few years ago.

Went down with the bed. Got some sedation, and just heard them say they were gone begin soon. Next thing I know I was back in my room.

Missed the whole thing, and there was a tv to watch it. ?

I have had at least six colonoscopies and have never taken sedation. Just said i dont want it and they said okay . The test without sedation is uneventful even when removing small polyps . For me the prep was more discomforting than the procedure . Although if ever need an endoscope (down the throat ) take sedation . I did once without not pleasant as gagging takes over . Colonoscopies a piece of cake without

Sedation was no problem, the problem for me is doing all the prep the day before. While sedation is no problem for me, my wife his highly allergic to anesthesia and gets sick as a dog, no matter what is used....

I had a gastroscopy.

Hated it, women before me came out hysterical. Dropped into her husbands arms. And there I was, all alone and next to go in.

Gagged the whole time, here you don’t get sedation. At least that’s what I had heard.

Really annoying to get the air pumped in, you burb the whole time.

Good thing the nurse told me to breath in and out, because I couldn’t do that anymore.

I had one a few years ago.

Went down with the bed. Got some sedation, and just heard them say they were gone begin soon. Next thing I know I was back in my room.

Missed the whole thing, and there was a tv to watch it. ?

Wendy's,

If you want to see it next time you need to have it done, most places will be able to record your procedure on videotape or DVD and you can take it home. They do that at my hospital for gastroscopies and colonoscopies.

Eric

Wendy's,

If you want to see it next time you need to have it done, most places will be able to record your procedure on videotape or DVD and you can take it home. They do that at my hospital for gastroscopies and colonoscopies.

Eric

Good to know! One of my fears is that I will talk in my sleep while sedated and say things about past sexual escapades! At least if I do, if recorded, then I know.