TW: SA. Colonoscopy advice.

[AelinAshriver]

I have a colonoscopy in a couple of weeks.

Unfortunately, I have PTSD after being SA'd in a hospital setting. And I'm terrified.

I know they offer a sedation, but, I was sedated before for an endoscopy (which wasn't pleasant but manageable for me) and I didn't feel the sedation did anything for me.

I have this medical trauma. And this procedure is going to be 'down there' and it's going to be uncomfy. And I'm bloody scared.

I asked if they would put be under a general so I can just be asleep and won't be aware what's going on and they said no it will just be a light sedation. To be fair, I didn't tell them about PTSD / previous SA. So maybe I should? But I also really struggle talking about it.

Can anyone offer any advice? Any tips for making the whole experience more easy to deal with?

Anyone been in a similar position needing such an intimate procedure?

I'm sorry you're going through this. Tell them, you need to! It could change how they do the procedure which could help you massively. If they know, maybe they will offer GA

I have no experience of SA so not sure how helpful I can be but I found gas and air during mine very helpful with discomfort. I didn't want sedation as I don't like being out of it.

There was a lovely female nurse holding my hand and another female nurse in the room as well so I don't know if that would make you feel better?

If you can I think you should explain beforehand your concerns. They will want it to be as comfortable for you as it can be.

Can you take someone you trust in as a chaperone?

All great advice. Thank you everyone.

I had a colonoscopy under supposed sedation and it was a nightmare. It was an NHS procedure but done in a private hospital. I've had previous procedures under sedation and they've been fine, but I remember everything that happened, including the irritation of the medical staff that I was finding it excruciatingly painful and being forcefully moved when I couldn't do it myself. I was offered gas and air but I don't get on with it.

I was later called to ask for feedback and I told them what had happened. It turns out that private hospitals cannot give the same level of sedation that an NHS facility can. I was asked if I wanted to make a formal complaint but I couldn't have coped with the hassle at the time so just asked for my feedback to be related to the staff.

Please check whether the level of sedation you will be given will be as high as necessary well in advance. Good luck.

I used to work in Endoscopy. To do a procedure under GA it needs to be booked into the main surgical theatres (rather than Endoscopy unit) so that an anaesthetist and all their equipment can be present. It is possible just needs arranging well in advance. If you tell them now about your previous SA, there’s a good chance they will agree that’s a reason to have a GA. It might change the date of your procedure, because it depends on slots available in the theatres, and availability of an anaesthetist.

Please tell them about the PTSD / SA - I do and I have a general anaesthetic for every procedure I have, even things like a hystoscopy which most have without anything, and everyone is understanding.