Colonoscopy and Sedation

My father died of colon cancer at age 46 over 50 years ago. Consequently I religiously have mine every 3 years. The first of five I did not take the drugs. The cramping pain is tolerable. However they had to remove a polyp which did hurt like hell. It was benign but they recommended I have one every 3 years which I do. I hate the prep as most do. The only reason I will take the drug is in the event they have to remove a polyp again which was not fun.

Jds4med, you are dead on. You never get to meet the physician who will perform a procedure; some nurse holds up a 5x8" computer screen and tells you to sign. I'll never do that again.

Last time I was in a civilian hospital, they tried that computer screen consent shit with me. No way. I insisted on signing a paper and made necessary alterations before signing.

My father died of colon cancer at age 46 over 50 years ago. Consequently I religiously have mine every 3 years. The first of five I did not take the drugs. The cramping pain is tolerable. However they had to remove a polyp which did hurt like hell. It was benign but they recommended I have one every 3 years which I do. I hate the prep as most do. The only reason I will take the drug is in the event they have to remove a polyp again which was not fun.

Good, keep on top of it. I don't know why your polyp hurt. There's no pain receptors inside the colon. I've had a few removed. The only way I knew it was happening was that I was watching it live on TV.

I chose to have no sedation for mine and enjoyed the whole thing, chatting with the doctor. It is nothing compared to enemas that I've taken scores of times! the whole thing was quite enjoyable. The staff continued to be amazed that someone had declined sedation. I am -amazed- at the fear out there!

@LaxMe, you would never get away with that at a VA hospital. They do not want the patient to be able to recall anything that they do.

@Jds4med, suspect that the VA will simply throw me out of the clinic if I demand a paper consent form and if they do allow one not changes would be allowed. If it is not in their computer it does not exist.

I went through it a few years ago without any meds..They had no problem not giving meds. It's no big deal. I got to watch it on a large screen HDTV while they were doing the procedure. It's a bit crappy and bloating being the air introduced. But to see everything, ask questions and remember it all was well worth a little discomfort!

I've had several colonoscopies without sedation. No pain but some discomfort, especially when the scope tries to make the turn from the transverse colon into the ascending colon. The surgical assistant often has to apply considerable external pressure on me to force the scope to make the turn. Once past that spot and it is clear sailing the rest of the way.

No sedation has benefits to you as the patient. You can watch the monitor and see what the doc sees. That's quite interesting the first couple times. You are also able to discuss with the doc. But the big advantage is that after the procedure is over, you can get dressed and go. You could even drive. With sedation you have to wait around for the sedative to wear off, and you cannot drive the rest of the day.

Without sedation you get to breakfast or lunch a lot faster.

I'm glad to know that I should be able to opt for this procedure with little or no sedation when the time comes.

I'll want to watch.

I was totally out for my procedure. I have not read all the posts but I think if you choose to not be sedated there could be some pain involved. The thought of a long scope being inserted in my anus and then moving up my rectum and winding through my colon sounds like it could be an erotic experience, but apparently there is some pain involved that would take all the fun out of it.

If the main reason you are opposed to sedation is that you don't want to put yourself through that, then you should definitely asked about your options for the procedure.

I will say as I was waking up I could feel the doctor slowly pulling out the scope which did feel quite nice 😃

I'm glad to know that I should be able to opt for this procedure with little or no sedation when the time comes.

I'll want to watch.

You better be cooperative during the procedure or they will put you under or discontinue the procedure and bill you anyway!

You better be cooperative during the procedure or they will put you under or discontinue the procedure and bill you anyway!

Cooperation isn't an issue for me and neither is intraoperative drugs - no IV in place.

They roll me back to the holding area, I peel off the EKG pasties, get dressed, hit the bathroom and check out. By that time, the postoperative report is printed and I'm off to breakfast.

Just had one a month ago no sedation; started at 0630 I was in the parking lot at 0718. Breakfast at 0745. What I have not figured out is they try to talk you into sedation for the colonoscopy and do not even mention sedation for a prostate biopsy.

Years ago I was told I had no choice and was given sedation which I felt awful for days after from then on I have refused sudation and have found its far better with out it and can chat with doc and see for your self conation of colon and can discuss further treatment's wile having procedure with out having further appointments so quicker for me and doc then send by post results of any samples taken

You better be cooperative during the procedure or they will put you under or discontinue the procedure and bill you anyway!

Oh, I'm a good patient, I can assure the doctor and staff of that. Being mentally present for the procedure will allow me to understand my body and it's workings more deeply. I would think that most doctor's would want their patients to be as engaged in their healing and prevention, but this thread leads me to believe that a good number of medical professionals hold mindless compliance as an even more desirable trait.

Years back I asked to be left conscious during my carpal tunnel release so I could observe the procedure. I understood that I would have a nerve block in my arm. Another doctor friend told me that the nerve block alone would keep me from feeling a thing. The nurse asked the doctor if he would allow for such a thing, never having had that request from a patient. She came back stating that he said "No, I don't work that way."

I submitted to the midazolam and that whole morning was gone. My wife also told me that I 'maintained no modesty' regardless of who came through the recovery room.

I have had a colonoscopy three different times. I had sedation all three times. However, on the first one, they didn't give me enough and I woke up about half way thru the procedure. I could even see what they were doing on a big screen. It was not all that painful moving up, in and around, but when they used air to either clear some things or to move the instrument around, that was quite painful. Since I have had no reaction to sedation, I would have no problem being sedated again.

I've been out for all 3 of my colonoscopies. Seems like i go out in a flash & when i come to after the procedure, it seems like only a split second. I hate that they tell me I can't drive when i never feel a buzz, & have driven on a lot stronger buzzes (not that I'm proud of it, but just sayin). Never had any problems afterwards. i thought having the GI, anesthesiologist, and assistants all being women with one me was a nice way to go out.

I had mine late last year. The prep was horrid. The worst case of the trots I've ever experienced. I was starving afterwards and that's about how it went. I remember nothing about anything after they rolled me back.

I have never had one and I hope that I never have to have one. Both of my parents have had one done and they had to drink this stuff and coulden't stay off the toilet all night. My dad was awake for his but he said he didn't feel a thing. My mom was asleep for hers. They put an iv in her arm and told her to count and she said she didn't even get to nine before she was out cold. She had to wait awhile after the procedure and dad had to drive her home. She was very sleepy and groogy when she got home and went to bed. What ever they gave her was very strong almost the second the needle went in she was knocked right out. It was not not twilight sedation either the doctor had her completely asleep. Both of my parents had the same doctor for their colonsocopies. He had dad awake for his but mom out cold. They didn't ask or give a preference either. I hope that if I have one someday that they put me to sleep for it too but I prefer gas over a shot.

I'm scheduled for my first colonoscopy on May 15th. I just received instructions today.

Clear liquid diet the entire day before.

Two Amatiza - 24 mcg at noon.

255g of Miralax divided equally between two 32 oz Gatorades (not red or orange) beginning at 5:00 p.m. Drink an 8 oz. glass full every 10 to 15 minutes until gone. Continue drinking clear liquids until bedtime.

After midnight, nothing to eat or drink. Check in at 6:30 a.m. the next morning. It specifically states that someone must drive me home, so I'm assuming anesthesia.

All sounds pretty miserable since the only part that might be entertaining I'll be asleep for.

Doug, you don't have to be asleep. Talk to the doctor beforehand. For a routine colonoscopy with no anticipated complications, sedation is optional. If your doctor isn't receptive and you feel strongly, find another doctor.

Big John, don't think that way. This annoying procedure can save your life. Not maybe, absolutely. 2 days of annoyance every 5 years starting at age 50 versus colon cancer.

Doug, you don't have to be asleep. Talk to the doctor beforehand.

Yes, I've been considering making the call. I remember the nurse asking me if I wanted sedation or not when she was setting it up. At time i just shrugged my shoulders 😢

Yes, I've been considering making the call. I remember the nurse asking me if I wanted sedation or not when she was setting it up. At time i just shrugged my shoulders 😢

While everyone has different tolerances, I find it no worse than crampy diarrhea. If you're not sure, you can have them start the IV and change your mind midstream. The concept of walking out and driving to a much needed breakfast with no delay is wonderful.

Doug, I've had two colonoscopy's, the first one I was partially awake through it. And saw him snip 2 of the 3 polyps out of me, was kinda cool watching the camera go up my colon, Was like following the brick road to Oz. Stopped with my Mom and had a burger and two beers for lunch after it and drove 30 miles home then.The second one, was out for all of it, I know I was only out for about 17 mins though from the time I went under to when I woke up in recovery. No polyps second time though, I attribute some of that to my weekends of a 3 enema series though.

PS As I'm sure you've been told, the worst part is the prep. Drinking the stuff and not eating, but the piece of mind is worth it!!! I've seen a couple people die from colon cancer and it's not pretty. Anyone else reading this, if you haven't had one done and you're 40-50, get it done. Don't suffer like I've seen the people that have.

Very good advise mike45. Only look out for the VA.

I've had 8 scopes, since being diagnosed and treated for colon cancer successfully. I get scoped every 3 years and they ALWAYS find new polyps to remove. I have always had sedation on all my scopes and want that to keep occurring. The worst part of everything is the prep. Drinking the PEG solution and starving is hell. Too bad that the small bowel MUST be empty as well as the large. If that weren't needed, I'd use multiple enemas only, rather than drink that terrible stuff and crap all night. Oh well, better than being dead!

At my local hospital in Reading sedation is optional so I always opt to have it without the midazolam. I do have a small shot of fentanyl painkiller though plus buscopan to relax the colon. I have had 3 colonoscopies this way now and found them absolutely fine. I've read that it's worse (more painful) for ladies though, presumably because of their extra abdominal "bits".

I'm so happy that I started this thread over a year ago. It's great to see to many contributors to the discussion of colonoscopy with, or without, sedation. I believe it's important to know that we do have options. As I expected, the option of choosing sedation is different for each person. Most didn't realize that they had options, so that's one of the reasons I started this thread. Keep up the discussion and share your personal experiences and let me know if you "like" my profile :+)

Great topic I am over 50 and know it's time to get one done. Nice to know the option for non sedation is out there I think that's what I'll opt for. Although I fear the question of "What have you been doing up there?" Probably looks like a war zone with all of the activity my colon has seen.

Great topic I am over 50 and know it's time to get one done. Nice to know the option for non sedation is out there I think that's what I'll opt for. Although I fear the question of "What have you been doing up there?" Probably looks like a war zone with all of the activity my colon has seen.

There's very little you can have done that will leave evidence that didn't require surgical repair.

I got my first colonoscopy about a year ago at age 45. I was completely knocked out for the procedure so I don't remember any of it. I do remember a nurse asking me to roll onto my left side and exposing my bare buttocks. She straightened my legs out right about the same time the anesthesiologist told me he was starting the IV drip with the medicine. I didn't last but a few seconds after that.