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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

General health

Colonoscopy - sedation needed/nobody to support

29 replies

elementofsurprise · 30/12/2015 20:41

Am due for colonoscopy v soon. Terrified, find hospitals scary as have MH issues and just shitloads on my plate atm. I think they should do this under local anesthetic/epidural tbh! But only offer sedation and entonox.

Apparently if I go for sedation, I need someone to meet me at the hospital and watch me for 24hrs! I don't have anyone (yes, I know that's pathetic and sad but my life is shite right now).

I don't have DC so that's fine, but I just don't know what to do. Will I be ok and it's just to cover themselves? I don't know how I'll cope after a night of no sleep due to pooing all night with the stuff to clear you out! I don't want to be alone. Worried I will break don in tears in the carpark before I can get a taxi. Am I able to postpone it? Is there any alternative?

Sorry to post again, just not really got anywhere to turn atm

OP posts:

Report

RhinestoneCowgirl · 30/12/2015 20:45

You really do need someone. I'm having sedation for a wisdom tooth extraction soon and they have told me that they will not do it if I am unaccompanied.

MumOfTheMoment · 30/12/2015 20:52

You poor thing

If it helps, I know a few people who have had one without sedation and have all said it was fine, just a bit uncomfortable. Would you consider this?

gingeroots · 30/12/2015 20:56

Can you get someone to pick you up ? I think having someone with you for 24 hours is a bit over cautious on part of hospital And how would they know if you had someone there or not ?

I do hope you can get something sorted ,postponing it will make you more anxious I think .

Good Luck x

Badders123 · 30/12/2015 20:56

I've had one with and without sedation.
Tbh the prep is the worst part of it so once that's over anything that follows is comparatively ok
I liked the sedation more because I don't remember a thing but tbh it wasn't too bad without....just quite uncomfortable when they pump the gas in.

helensburgh · 30/12/2015 21:02

If you have no one you coukd ask to stay in hospital after.
It will be fine. I've had it without sedation and with.
Def choose without. I felt out of control with sedation.

gobbin · 30/12/2015 22:38

I had DH to take me home after sedation and I was wide awake, felt like I could have driven. It's ridiculous that they won't let you just get a taxi home and go to bed if you feel tired.

My mum was in your position when needing a bronchoscopy which they def sedate for and had to have it without anything as she had nobody to be with her. It was tough going for her.

The only thing you can do is ring ahead and request a bed for the night if they feel that the scan is essential as you have no other options. They may say yes.

ootsideinbacktaefront · 30/12/2015 22:44

You do feel fine after sedation but you need someone with you at all times as the amnesic affect is pretty powerful!! It is not over cautious, it is necessary. My friend however had one without sedation and it was fine. Good luck x

elementofsurprise · 30/12/2015 22:51

Thanks for the advice/experiences, will have a think.

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Simmi1 · 30/12/2015 23:52

Good luck! I also have one on Tuesday and am now more nervous about the prep. Hopefully it will all be ok though

ExConstance · 31/12/2015 16:51

DH had one a while back, it didn't hurt and he was OK later in the day. We went to Tesco on the way home and the after effects of the sedation had him holding forth about how beautiful it was, how he had never seen shirts in such lovely colours etc. etc. You do need someone with you! Hope all goes well.

elementofsurprise · 31/12/2015 17:21

This is awful. Have just read the prep stuff. You're not supposed to eat after 9am the day before! I eat all my meals, even breakfast, later than that. Not eating makes me even more depressed (low blood sugar?), not to mention delirious. I don't know how to cope with stuff I need to do for the day when starving hungry, then having to take the horrible sachets and shit all night. I'll need a carer for 24 hrs beforehand as well by the looks of it. I think I'll have to just not have it done. I cant cope with this in my life right now.

OP posts:

OldFarticus · 31/12/2015 17:27

Element I am sorry to hear things are shit. I have been in your position and I just went ahead with the procedure and then told them I would get a taxi when it was too late. I felt fine like PP's. Now DH picks me up but I have never "needed" him iykwim.

I have one of these things every single year now and it's honestly fine. The prep is gentler than it used to be and you just need to be very near to a loo when you drink the sachet. The prep also makes you lose your appetite ime. Just get a few films on your laptop/tablet and/or a good book and plan not to go far that day. In 48 hours it will be over.

elementofsurprise · 31/12/2015 17:29

So there we go. I cant find out whats wrong because I dont have the support I need.

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elementofsurprise · 31/12/2015 17:30

I cant cope. I spend a lot of time crying and wanting to give up. This is just to much to deal with. I have nowhere to turn and no support.

OP posts:

Bunbaker · 31/12/2015 17:33

You won't be up all night. I had to start taking the stuff at about lunchtime. By bedtime I was completely cleared out.

Good luck with it.

SuburbanRhonda · 31/12/2015 17:34

I would put it off if I were you. I threw up after my first one (reaction to the sedative) and I felt like I was drunk. I could remember some parts of the procedure really clearly and some not at all. No way could I have managed to get home by myself.

SuburbanRhonda · 31/12/2015 17:36

Sorry, OP, just seen your latest posts. Could you phone the hospital and speak to the consultant about the practical issues? I'll bet they've had patients in this situation before

poocatcherchampion · 31/12/2015 17:40

Goodness op I don't know where you are but if you are near Worcestershire you can come and stay with us and we will look after you and give you an ensuite.

Otherwise

ThreeRuddyTubs · 31/12/2015 17:40

You won't be up all night but you can't drive yourself home after the sedation and you might need someone with you after but not for 24 hours. I have anxiety and I wouldn't have wanted to be alone but the procedure itself will be over before you know it

elementofsurprise · 31/12/2015 17:54

I doubt I'll be able to speak to anyone now cos of new year's and the weekend... will try tomorrow though.
Will probably have to postpone it, too emotional and overwhelmed atm. I literally have no-one, only two friends who might have done it but one is currently having a breakdown and the other is also very overwhelmed and mentally not ok atm. Wonder if I can postpone it by several months?
I'm so sorry, this is just the last straw and can't stop crying now.

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elementofsurprise · 31/12/2015 17:59

ps. don't think it's anything majorly serious wrong, not been bleeding from there or anything. Pretty sure it's connected to my endometriosis.... So it probably doesn't matter that much to postpone it.

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Veterinari · 31/12/2015 18:04

Hi Element - I had this done, no sedation and was fine (I also had no one and had to get the bus home).

The prep only needs to start 24 hrs before the procedure - mine was at 2pm so I had breakfast and lunch the day before and then nothing after that and was complimented on my 'clean bowels!' Had no issues overnight.

Its really not as bad as you think it might be, an is quite straightforward

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elementofsurprise · 31/12/2015 18:55

Mine's meant to be at 10am so 9am is probably about right...
Don't think I can cope having someone stick something up my arse without sedation (feel a bit pathetic but the pain of having my coil removed has made me terrified of smear tests so don't want a repeat scenario.)
Think I'll probably have to delay it as feeling so physically and emotionally exhausted atm.

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elementofsurprise · 31/12/2015 19:18

Veterinari Did you have entonox? I don't know how good it is...? That is the alternative.

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ilovesooty · 31/12/2015 19:27

I don't have any support and had to do it without sedation by myself. The worst part was the dreadful weather - so much snow that public transport and taxis were all cancelled and I had to walk there and back.

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