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Original poster

Colonoscopy without sedation?

88 replies

PointlessUsername · 14/06/2019 17:31

Hi all,

I have a colonoscopy on the weekend and really don't want to have the sedation and would prefer just the gas & air.

I have had a Gastroscopy without & whilst not plesant wasn't the worst thing ever even though i was a nervous wreck beforehand.

My question is has anyone had a colonoscopy without sedation & could please tell me what it is like?

Thank you.

OP posts:

TinyPaws · 14/06/2019 21:17

I had one without sedation (full colonoscopy, not just sigmoidoscopy). It was very unpleasant, although not the worst thing that's ever happened to me. I also had an OGD without sedation and that was also very unpleasant. If I had the option, I would choose sedation.

MyDarlingWhatIfYouFly · 14/06/2019 21:54

I had a sigmoidoscopy without sedation and it was horrible. I was at the limit of what I could stand when they got to the bend. I would never go full colonoscopy without sedation.

I had IV sedation for impacted wisdom teeth extraction a few years ago and it was great - I can't remember a thing about the extraction, felt really happy afterwards and then slept for 14 hours. Felt fine the next morning.

BalloonSlayer · 14/06/2019 21:57

I have had two supposedly with sedation but they were both extremely painful and I felt wide awake (eg I felt I could have driven home yet straight away but when i had a gastroscopy I genuinely felt out of it and slept in the recovery room and when I got home.)

They said I was "very sensitive" to feel like that but I don't think I am. Ds1 had colonoscopy at the same place and was out for the count. I do wonder whether I am.just immune to the sedatives they used.

HOWEVER - I worry that if i refused sedation again it would be even worse . . .

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Chesntoots · 14/06/2019 21:57

I had mine with gas and air. Managed to go quite a while before I used it too.

It just felt a bit odd, bumping about inside!

EleanorLavish · 14/06/2019 21:59

TheCatThatWalked that is exactly what I meant when I said some people think it’s painful and some don’t. No need to twist my words.
OP, you can start with nothing, move to gas and air and decide on sedation even if the procedure has already started. We often have people who want to try without and then get sedation after it has started as they are finding it painful. Just get the cannula in your arm so there is no faffing about.
And sometimes we have held patients down for their own safety, and I’m in the UK NHS.
For example a lady had a panic attack half way through and tried to jump off the table. She could have really injured herself.

SciFiScream · 14/06/2019 22:01

I had a flexible sigmoidoscopy on Saturday. I was offered gas and air or sedation. I opted for gas and air and only used it a little.

But I was in agony and I have a high pain tolerance (once completed an assault course with 2 broken ribs).

I could feel the camera wiggling it's way around - and it wasn't even going far.

It was the air that hurt. Being pumped full of air like that was awful and I was in tears. That's when I had to use the gas and air. I only had about 6 puffs.

I think I'd insist on sedation for a colonoscopy. Good luck.

DecomposingComposers · 14/06/2019 22:03

I had sedation plus gas and air - it was the gas and air that worked I think (recently had 2 others with only sedation and they were painful). The one with gas and air was fine. Why not try with just gas and air and have sedation if you need it?

missyB1 · 14/06/2019 22:09

It really does depend on your own bowel (yes they are all different) and the endoscopist performing your procedure. I have seen some highly skilled endoscopists and some that I wouldn’t let anywhere near me!
My dh does colonoscopies day in and day out and is considered to be one of the best in the Country, very few of his patients have sedation.
There is always the option of starting with gas and air then changing to sedation if needed. As long as you have arranged a lift home.

scaevola · 14/06/2019 22:15

Fentanyl is a pain killer

The sedative wouid probably be midazolam

And you might get G&A as well.

I'd take everything on offer - it's usually at least uncomfortable and can be worse that that, at least in parts.

Just remember that you shouid not go home alone if you gave been sedated and you must not drive, operate machinery or sign legal documents for 24 hours (it'll probably clear your system in less than that, but you need to be prudent)

Natsku · 14/06/2019 22:15

I've had two without sedation (well the second I was supposed to be sedated but the drugs didn't work) and I would definitely never have it done without sedation again but gas and air wasn't an option - I reckon it might be bearable with gas and air.

Butterfly02 · 14/06/2019 23:22

Had both gastroscopy and colonoscopy without sedation. Would say gastroscopy was worse but both bearable and got to go home a lot quicker.

highlandcoo · 14/06/2019 23:22

I always have sedation but it's nothing like a general anaesthetic. Much better afterwards.

I wake up soon after the procedure, have tea and a sandwich and am fine to get dressed and walk to the taxi (you need someone else with you though), go home and sleep for a few hours then have a quiet evening and don't overdo it the next day .. but it's really fine.

Good luck OP. It won't be as bad as you think

Original poster

PointlessUsername · 15/06/2019 08:36

Thanks again everyone. I think i will try without sedation at first and see how i go i really hope its ok as i do not want sedation.

It isn't until tomorrow and i am already bricking it .

My appointment time is 12.30 so thinking i am to do the afternoon prep?

OP posts:

FaithInfinity · 15/06/2019 09:32

I work in Endoscopy and agree it varies between people. I’ve also had the procedure done. I opted for the sedation, it’s not like feeling drunk! It physically relaxes the muscles so it’s easier for them to negotiate the bowel twists and turns. I had G&A too which helped. For me, it was uncomfortable at times but never really painful. I think if you’re not keen on the sedation I would explain that, they’ll keep it on standby in case you struggle but you’ll need to try to take deep breaths to keep your body relaxed yourself if you don’t have it.

I should think afternoon prep yes if it’s an afternoon appointment.

DecomposingComposers · 15/06/2019 10:17

I work in Endoscopy and agree it varies between people.

It also varies between procedures on the same patient.

I have had about 10 colonoscopies done, always with sedation, and have always been painless. I've never been drowsy and have watched them on the monitor and chatted to the Dr about what they could see etc.

Just recently, I've had 3 colonoscopies in the past 2 months. 2 with sedation were really painful, so much so that they had to stop. The 3rd one I had sedation plus entonox and that was ok. No idea why the fentanyl/midazolam just hasn't worked recently. I do take tramadol regularly so maybe have developed a tolerance and my bowel us inflamed so maybe it's just more painful.

If you do decide you might want gas and air and sedation make sure they consent you for both and complete the check list before they sedate you. My 2nd one the Dr said I could have gas and air if sedation wasn't enough. When I asked for it during the procedure the nurse said no as I hadn't completed the check list and couldn't now as I had sedation, so they abandoned the procedure. The next one I made sure that I was consented and checked for both.

AnnaMagnani · 15/06/2019 10:25

I've found on Mumsnet, everyone wants sedation!

When I went to have my gastroscopy I hadn't decided but all the other ladies in the waiting room were going to have colonoscopies and they had all had them multiple times before and none of them were going to have sedation.

They told me it was fine and so, given I was only having a gastroscopy, I went ahead without sedation.

I would not say it was pleasant it was bloody awful but if I had one again I wouldn't have sedation either as it wasn't that bad and I could get on with my day.

DameDoom · 15/06/2019 12:24

I have Fentanyl, Entonox and Midazolam - the whole shebang. You won't know how painful it will be until they get in there. I tried just gas and air once. Never again. I like to be fully off my face.

Original poster

PointlessUsername · 15/06/2019 19:51

I can offically say Moviprep is the most vile thing i have ever tasted.

OP posts:

DecomposingComposers · 15/06/2019 20:19

Yes it is. I can't take it - it makes me violently sick. I have picolax. Just as vile but only a small quantity of vileness, rather than 2 litres of it.

SmellMySmellbow · 15/06/2019 20:28

The concept of conscious sedation freaks me out. The painkiller part I get, but being made to forget the experience/forced amnesia is a freaky thing, imo. I understand to some it's preferable to recalling trauma, if indeed it proves traumatic, but having a 'blank' would upset me. GA I get, but conscious sedation... nah. I'd take the fentanyl with additional entonox myself.

yogafailure · 15/06/2019 20:35

I have them every few years and haven't had sedation for any of them. I usually have a gastroscope done on the same day and again don't have sedation. Mainly because I'm a control freak but primarily because when I started having them my DD was still bf and I wanted to resume feeding ASAP. I couldn't feed her whilst taking the manky prep stuff but wanted to feed her as soon as I could. Both procedures were fine compared to having a baby so I've just never bothered with the extra faff.

DecomposingComposers · 15/06/2019 21:34

SmellMySmellbow

That hasn't been my experience of it ever. I've had many colonoscopies done under it as well as a back surgery and a lot of procedures done on my back. I am fully aware and have remembered everything. Have watched my procedures on the screen and chatted to staff in theatre. The most I've felt is slightly relaxed. Never doped up or out of it.

SmellMySmellbow · 15/06/2019 22:17

I guess it's down to how much midazolam is used. I'd rather a very small amount as I wouldn't want that memory loss that some get (due to more midazolam I guess) I guess you need some for the muscle relaxation along with the analgesic...

GalaxyAddict · 15/06/2019 22:36

Drink the Moviprep through a straw & you can add squash to it, but it's still vile.
Please have sedation, I didn't feel like I'd had enough sedation the last one I had, and it was very unpleasant, I think I actually cried

FaithInfinity · 16/06/2019 00:11

I didn’t feel like I had memory loss either. I felt physically relaxed, like I’d had a couple of glasses of wine but not loads. I remember it but it’s kind of hazy. I can recall things that were said while it was happening too.

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