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.

My poor MIL has had 4 in about 8 months (once to clear her from cancer pathway, twice they couldn't remove all the polyps that they wanted to, 4th time was successful). She opted to have the first 3 without sedation but they insisted she have sedation (and she had a lead consultant do the procedure) the final time due to the trouble they'd had removing the polyps.

Had she had sedation the 2nd or 3rd time she may not have needed a 4th colonoscopy.

However her recovery from the first 3 she had without sedation was pretty easy and simple. She was well enough to WFH for a few hours later that same day. I collected her after sedation and she said she felt awful, it was heatwave conditions here at the time though. It took her a good 48h to feel back to normal.

As per most other posters, the prep was the worst part. But nope she wouldn't have been able to go back to the office after, even without sedation. A few hours WFH was manageable though.

It is also worth noting that you need to be collected after sedation, they won't discharge you otherwise. At least this is the rule at the NHS hospital my MIL was at.

Everyone reacts differently but honestly, why would you risk it? Take the day off and take the drugs!

I just don't want to do the drugs, for personal reasons. And if I can't work, I'll take the day off, for sure.

Which bit of the prep is awful? Is the drink disgusting? Or is it the fasting?

Yes ,this is the rule at my hospital too. I'm potentially facing having to have it done without sedation even though I would much rather have it, because I wouldn't have anyone to collect me. They don't allow you to go home in a taxi (unless accompanied). I'm hoping that I can get away without having one after all.

I found coil insertion totally manageable, very sorry about that. That doesn’t mean I think it is for everyone. Pain relief should be offered, but with the understanding it isn’t necessary for all women.

Women should be offered pain relief and in the OP’s case it sounds entirely appropriate - we’ll try without, and if you need it we’ll administer during the procedure. Or start with it, that’s fine.

My point was that the team was shocked I wasn’t taking it during my colonoscopy and I would have taken it given the strength of their recommendation. Plainly, it would have been an unnecessary intervention for me as I simply didn’t need it. It should be made clear to the patient that some people don’t need it, just as much as the patient should be offered it.

For me it was the taste of the prep.

People suggested a few things, use a straw, chill the prep/water mixture alternate between prep and another drink.

It still had me in tears.

I think its fair to say everyone is different with this. As a family we all have had regular colonoscopies for years due to issues, my sister now has gas and air with no problems, yet I tried gas and air and found the air they pump your bowel of just incredibly painful, like constant trapped wind pain. I couldn't feel them removing large polyps, yet another family member had zero problems with the air but said he polyp removal was horrific.

We all have different kinds of bowels and pain tolerances too. I'd say try it with gas and air but it's only moments to swap to sedation.

Also be aware that you can be very flatulent after one. I remember being in recovery after one and others had had the same procedure and it was like the scene from Blazing Saddles!! 😂

They aren't that bothered when I get it done

I opted for the CT colonography first after a positive FIT, as I really didn’t want the colonoscopy.

In retrospect the wrong choice, as
I still had to do the prep for this too
They did not offer any sedation.
They inflate you with even more gas than the colonoscopy which I found excruciating, particularly without the sedation.
No one can hold your hand in the CT room
And then I had to go for a colonoscopy anyway to remove the polyp they found

I thought it was the easier option and it really wasn’t. Just meant I had to do the prep all over again, and go in for a colonoscopy later, and have the stress of waiting as well as knowledge that I’d have something up my bum again, and still didn’t have a definitive answer as to why I had a positive FIT.

I have had several and agree with others that the prep is the worst. Really do stick to the foods they suggest and drink the prep through the straw, I drink lemonade in between to help.

I have never had sedation, it is a bit painful round a couple of bends but an only for a few seconds and doesn’t last. I have gone home and had no issues other than being tired for that day so could have managed emails/work if at home

I work for myself, from home, so I don’t need to go to work per se, but I would like to work if possible that afternoon as I’m hugely busy

I have had several colonoscopies, all of them with some sedation. I was absolutely fine and back to normal within an hour or so.

on one occasion I had no one to drive me, so I just told them that I was waiting for my husband to collect me. Sat in the waiting room for half an hour, until I felt confident that all was well. Went to the loo and quietly slipped out. Drove home and had a cuppa.

I had sedation, carried on a normal conversation during the colonoscopy and went straight out for lunch after as I was starving.
Felt a little odd but it was the best night's sleep later.
During the colonoscopy there was an awkward loop to get round. The doc said it would be uncomfortable. It was bloody painful.
Have to agree, the fasting was the worst part. The prep was absolutely fine. I had picolax- just make sure you drink plenty of liquids.
You won't want to work the same day though.

The nurses all advised sedation and said that if a man had said it was fine without - they have less tight bowls because they are larger and have less in there

If you’re sedated you’d need collecting by a responsible adult usually and not allowed to get a taxi, but you can ask and see what they say

I found the prep and the fasting unpleasant.

The procedure began with minimal intravenous sedation, which was fine, but it needed ramping up when the camera reached the transverse bowel. It was painful and uncomfortable across my upper abdomen.
The doctor remarked that I have some tight corners. I guess we’re all shaped differently and they can’t tell in advance how much discomfort or pain will be felt.
I wouldn’t have liked to be without sedation for those few minutes but I think gas and air would have been fine.
I felt good afterwards. I could have worked but wouldn’t have been safe to drive because of the residual sedation.

My first one was without sedation and they complained that my screams were disturbing people in the waiting room!

Second was supposed to be sedated but they just gave me a pill which did nothing, added sedation half way through but it didn't take effect until it was over so was pointless. And painful.

Having my third tomorrow. Informed them that I will only be doing it if I am properly sedated this time. Having a gastroscopy too and also need to be sedated for that as last time I panicked and almost punched the doctor in the face!

Definitely do not expect to be working afterwards whether you get sedated or not.

It's intl sedation. It's nothing. You are still awake, conscious, know what is happening

Really? I went for a bronchoscopy, with someone to drive me home, but when I got there they then dropped it on me that they wouldn't sedate unless I had someone to stay with me for 24 hours? Thought it seemed excessive but had to go without

It's obvious that everyone is having different experiences with these procedures depending on pain levels, how loopy your bowels are , how deep they need to investigate, expertise of the doctor etc. I've had about 5 of these now ( 3, abroad and 2 in the UK) and on every single occasion I have been out for the event - on the notes it says I was responsive to instructions but I don't remember a single thing.

I have them regularly and much prefer gas and air. However, you will be wiped out after - you can’t really go back to work.

Well that’s bollocks. Most people that have them regularly don’t have sedation. If gas and air can get you through childbirth it can get you through a bloody colonoscopy.

Most ? Do you have statistics on this or is this just your opinion ?

I had one last week the second one this year.I decline sedation a little discomfort.If you have sedation you have to have someone with you for the rest of the day.The prep is the worst part awful.I was at the hospital pm appt for over 4 hours.30 minutes in recovery even without sedation then discharge area to see the nurse.I wouldn’t even think about work especially as you will have been up half the night on the loo.Good luck .

Mine took longer than usual-90 minutes-because my colon was very twisty. I was okay until about 45 minutes in when it became quite painful and I had Gas and air which helped and was enough.

I wouldn’t have been able to go to work that day. A combination of lack of sleep because of the bowel prep, feeling uncomfortable and the uncontrollable farting!