Colonoscopy - is it ok without sedation?

[Peonytimeguys]

I have to have one next week and I really don't want sedation. It's early morning, and I'm hoping I'll be back at my desk by 1pm. They've offered gas and air, or even sedation mid way through.

Wld love to hear if people have gone through it without, but perhaps its a person to person thing.

Definitely don't bank on being back at your desk it's a uncomfortable horrible procedure and you'll probably need to go home and recover.

I had one without sedation. The prep was the worst part. I liked being able to leave hospital straight away and have a good feed

I wouldn't expect to go back to work though, no way I could have. The air is uncomfortable, you've not had much sleep and the day after is worse. I felt like I was bruised on the inside.

You’ll be lucky to manage without sedation and I’d be very surprised if you felt able to go back to work.

You won't be back at your desk sorry. You will be uncomfortable from all the air they use and want to go home and fart in private.

Ive had several and its not necessarily bad. I was perfectly fine after. I've had them with sedation, some with gas and air and some without.
If you want to be back at work you'd need gas and air. Sedation takes longer to recover from.
You could ask if you could have a canula put in in case you need sedation, but start with gas and air and see how you go.

I had a colonoscopy and really prepped myself for it being awful without sedation - but I couldn’t have sedation as had to get back to my kids.

The nurse was really worried about me doing it without sedation. I said it can’t be worse than childbirth is it? She said probably not.

It was totally fine I just relaxed completely and it didn’t hurt. I thought it was cool seeing my colon, and it was over really quickly. I honestly left thinking they shouldn’t recommend sedation, I would have taken it if I could have, and then I would have needed time to come around and felt groggy.

Far, far worse was not being able to eat the day before…. Agony!! Good luck.

I had one without sedation, it was fine prep is much worse. I wouldn't try to go to work afterwards, just felt uncomfortable and gassy .Was absolutely fine the next day .

I haven't had one but a friend has them on a semi regular basis for monitoring. They prefer them without sedation because they feel like then have the mental capacity to recognise the pain and discomfort is temporary and that it's worthwhile because they want to know the outcome. Whereas with sedation they feel more panicky as they don't fully have a grip on everything that's going on.

But they're definitely not back at work in their workplace that afternoon. Maybe sifting through some emails at home.

I had it just using gas and air; (hey put in a cannula in case I wanted sedation midway ). I didn't find it too bad but everyone's different. Not sure about going back to work - if you can go home and have a shower and some food first maybe .

I was v weak afterwards from not eating and vomited as soon as I drank water, but as soon as I got back home I ate a little and was fine.

The prep is awful. I found the whole thing painful as I had looping of the bowel so they gave me 2 lots of pain meds. Luckily all ok though but you’re not going to be back at desk after unless you are Superwoman! Good luck

I had one without sedation , no issues at all , it was more discomfort than pain . I declined sedation as all they were offering was Midazolam and it disagrees with me .

I had without sedation as was breastfeeding - uncomfortable but not excruciating pain by any stretch

I had sedation but I'm really not sure it helped (midazolam). I could remember everything afterwards & it was really quite uncomfortable, painful at times. I had gas & air as well. Apparently I have a coily colon!

I had one without sedation, and it wasn’t too bad. But I couldn’t have worked that afternoon, between the lack of sleep from the prep, and the excessive farting afterwards.

It’s fine without sedation but don’t work in the office after, work from home as you’ll be farting all day. Watching it on the screen was really interesting and distracted from the discomfort

Sorry to be negative but I had one without sedation and found it very traumatic and very very painful. No medical reason why I wasn't and it was half mentioned but never discussed properly. This was almost 20 years ago so didn't really have as much info now and I was young and totally naive. I don't want to scare you but I wish I had known more about possible effects and felt violated to be in so much pain and offered nothing. Things may have changed. Good luck x

I've had two with no sedation and would do so again. Just breathe through any discomfort.

I went out for a slap up brekkie and walked the dog before WAH afterwards

Sorry but I had it with just gas and air and found it almost intolerably painful. It’s very individual. 2 friends found it a walk in the park.

i was considering this and asked the DR how many people had a second one without sedation....
He said he hadn't come across anyone having a second one without sedation ,that clinched it for me.

No take the drugs .

No
i was so distressed and in pain without sedation
I have a high pain threshold but it was awful

My sister had one and was in extreme pain. Given that, I'd never agree to one without sedation. You might be lucky like many on here and be fine, but what if you're one of the others?

I didn't find it painful at all. Can it depend on why you need it? Mine was just a bowel screening due to age to check all ok. I guess if you have a bowel issue it could be more painful?
I had a lovely male nurse's hand to hold and if it got uncomfortable I could squeeze his hand. I found it fascinating to watch.

I don’t know if I’m just a wuss but I opted not to have sedation either, just gas and air, and I found it incredibly painful to the point I was swearing at the pain. It was the going round the bends that was the worse. If I have to have it again I’m definitely having sedation.