Colonoscopy - gas and air or sedation ?

[SuzyDaarling]

I haven’t had a colonoscopy before and haven’t had gas and air or sedation for anything before either. No idea which to opt for. Can anyone help me decide?

ThePontiacBandit. Thank you. I will definitely go for sedation. I live on my own but will get a taxi home and my friend will pop in to check on me if necessary.

I had one before Christmas and so did my mum, she also had an endoscopy. Both had sedation only. Felt very mild discomfort but I think if you’re sore they’ll stop and top up sedation but I was told not to drive etc for 24 hours after it. Wasn’t offered gas and air nor was it mentioned. But Even the moviprep wasn’t as bad as I expected I used a straw to drink it though which helped get it down quicker.

Hope it goes ok op, it’s not on of the nicest experiences but once it’s over it is a big relief

I was told not to use the cooker for the rest of the day after my sedation so get yourself some nice picky bits to eat

Thanks Snozz. That’s good to know.

I would check with the place you’re having the procedure, we wouldn’t let you go home with that set up! We say you have to be collected by a responsible adult (the taxi driver can’t be expected to be responsible for you) and actually have someone with you for at least 4 hours afterwards and ideally overnight. You’re not allowed to drive, cook, use the kettle etc for 24 hours after the sedation because it impairs your judgement. Check what their rules are before you make that decision because you might need to have someone collect you (or hospital transport is allowed) and have someone with you the first few hours to be discharged.

Agree with the above poster. I am an endoscopy nurse, and if you have sedation, you must have a known adult, not just a taxi man, to take you home and stay with you overnight.
You also cannot use electrical items, drive or make important decisions for 24hrs. We would not allow you to have sedation unless this was arranged, and we walk you to your lift.
The endoscopist decides on the amount of sedation, using their medical knowledge and experience, not a patient asking for the maximum dose .
You'll be grand, nearly everyone says it was so much easier than they thought and that the prep is the worst bit.

I have them regularly, definitely choose sedation. Also, buy in some colpermin and peppermint tea, as sometimes you can get painful trapped wind and the above really helps.

Oh ok Bosco. I had a minor procedure with a general a few years ago and because I didn’t have anyone at home I stayed in overnight. If I don’t have anyone at home after the colonoscopy would I need to stay overnight ? My friend is also my next door neighbour and he would pop round to check on me or if I need anything but there’s not room for him to stay overnight.

I've had two without any sedation or gas and air (ulcerative colitis). I didn't find it painful at all - slight discomfort going round a tight bend at one point, for which they gave me a tiny bit of muscle relaxant, but I just watched the screen and the doctor gave me a little tour of my intestines to distract me. He offered me pictures to take home - I declined!!

I always have sedation and don't remember anything. Afterwards I feel as if I've had a really good sleep, am fine to eat a sandwich, cup of tea and then walk to the car (someone else must drive), get home and have another few hours in bed then feel fine to watch TV in the evening.

You will have a nice flat tummy - bonus!

Do make sure that you drink the moviprep in the required large amounts. Chilled and flavoured to mask the yucky taste is essential. Don't do as a PP above suggests and drink a few mouthfuls every five minutes. The danger is that won't work. I made that mistake first time.

My consultant - after ticking me off - explained that it's like a water pipe blocked with leaves. You need a good blast of liquid to shift the debris and a trickle every so often just doesn't work if that makes sense.

I had to return and do it all again a few weeks later. I learned my lesson - never again!

I’ve had one with sedation - proper sedation, none of this ‘light’ malarkey!! Completely out for the count, lovely sleep afterwards then tea and toast before being allowed home.

I know loads of people who have had a colonoscopy and they all had the same type of sedation via cannula and out for the count. I’m not in the UK though, don’t know if that makes a difference

I opted for sedation and was told I could have gas & air as well, so I did! Had a marvellous time :-)

I've had these many, many times and tried gas\air instead of sedation for the first time recently and it really does work. If you inhale very deeply when the scope's going round the bend you'll only really feel a small bit of discomfort. And if you're not squeamish there's the added bonus of being able to watch it on the screen!
Endoscopists are brilliant and very gentle - they'll be aware of how nervous you are and will talk you through it so you know when you're about to go round a bend or are on the home strait, so to speak. Good luck.

Where I work, you’d have to organise staying over in advance so they could book the bed, you can’t ask for it on the day.

In the US they can give you a real anesthetic and knock you out. For that they need an anesthetist and I think many nurses are trained to do it.

Not so in Canada. As I recall I am given midazolam and fentanyl. I remember some but not all of the procedure and it goes fast. I do remember they gave me more once.

It is over before you know it and they give you a snack.