To ask if I can go to a colonoscopy alone?

[Lutherant]

Just that really, posting here for traffic. I have to have a colonoscopy (not urgently). I have a young baby and absolutely no support network nearby - none - except my husband. Husband would have to stay with the baby so there is no one to come with me. I wouldn't drive myself, I would get a taxi there and back.

Is this OK?

It's possible my parents might be able to visit and help but they are notoriously flaky so I don't want to rely on them doing it.

def get your DH to pick you up in a taxi. I was out of it after sedation and wouldn’t have wanted to be in a taxi on my own in that state.

I got an Uber there had sedation, DH came to fetch me but they said would have been happy for me to go home in another Uber if he'd been at home waiting for me. It's only if you're driving yourself that you're not allowed to do.

I have had them in 3 different health areas and if you have sedation you must have someone to collect you afterwards. A taxi is not permitted on your own as you could be at risk.

My ds did

I didn't even consider sedation, just wanted to be in and out (pardon the pun 😅) It was really nothing. I used gas and air for about 5-10secs then that was it.

It's not a lifetime commitment, for goodness sake! it's just to ensure you are not alone for 24 hours after having a general anaesthetic in case of any adverse side effects and would be the same for any operation or procedure where you were sedated.

If you let them know in advance that you want sedation but have no one to get you home and/or stay with you for 24 hours afterwards I think they'll arrange for you to stay in a ward overnight for monitoring. It may mean that you don't get the procedure done as promptly though.

You can't drive because your insurance would be invalid if you had a an accident and they found out you'd had a GA less than 24 hour before.

In the OP's case, as she has someone at home, I wonder if perhaps it would be acceptable for the hospital to arrange hospital transport back home afterwards - probably worth asking if that's an option as they'll want to avoid taking up a hospital bed unnecessarily.

It's fine to do without sedation- I did mine without sedation or gas and air. A bit crampy sometimes but not painful.

My mil had several in a Kent hospital,me Surrey (actually worked there, consultant looked down "do I know you, you look familiar,") no sedation because he said he would need me to move, change position. We were not allowed to leave alone, and had to have company for 24 hours,in case of complications. I didn't find it painful. The sigmoidoscopy however with a metal instrument was very painful.

Yes forgive me if I don't trust this given how I was told repeatedly smears don't hurt...

I picked up dp but I didn't have to go into the building to fetch him. He didn't have sedation

Yes, I did.

They either don't sedate you, or admit you overnight after the procedure.

I'd not have it without sedation. I had sedation and it must have been painful because once it wore off it was pretty uncomfortable, I could feel it for about two days. But I did have eighteen biopsies.

@Lutherant I've had a few where I felt no pain and a few that were excruciating. I have no idea why you never know what you're going to get. That's why I say, prepare for the worst.

Yeah, I had a GA for my last coil fitting, so I know where you're coming from. I wouldn't have it without sedation. We're all different.

I was sedated. Put in the hallway behind a curtain to recover. Woke up all groggy, started pulling on my socks and shoes. A nurse appeared just as I was all dressed and ready to leave. She was surprised I was already awake and rearing to go. She was concerned that I was going to just walk home by myself but off I went, what was she to do.

The first few minutes of the walk I felt gently tipsy but at that age (I was 20) every Saturday night had a much worse walk to it.
Under no circumstances it would be wise to drive after sedation but other than that I'm not sure what the fuss is about. Some people must experience harsher side effects and they need tending to?

That’s a good step in right direction though.

Plan A, parents help.

Plan B, husband picks up in taxi (so you’re not stuffed in parents fail).

Some other options, any neighbour teenagers that drive? Pick you up and take you home.

Or neighbours or friends who’d either pick you up, or mind your baby while husband does the taxi trip.

There are different levels though. Some only go a bit in, some go much further. The guy who did mine said I might feel it, despite sedation, when he "went round corners" as it stretches the colon. I did feel it.
I also had eighteen biopsies taken. It was sore for two days so imagine that it would have been pretty painful unsedated.

Can your DH & baby come with you to the hospital, go for a walk/canteen for lunch or coffee etc then meet you after your procedure to get a taxi home together? I appreciate it’s not ideal entertaining a baby in a hospital canteen but as a one off, it’s manageable.

I doubt they would discharge you to the care of a teenager.

I doubt they would discharge you to the care of a teenager.

Having all sedation options is reassuring, so husband taxi option is advisable. Not sure if GA is offered on NHS in England???? It wasn't in Wales, maybe that has changed??

Can your husband not come in a taxi with the baby to collect you ?

I had a similar procedure done and i had a friend collect me and take me to my hotel (it wasn’t local) then she went home as she wasn’t able to stay as she’s a carer.

I went alone. I don't remember any pain relief ( maybe gas and air but nothing that made me groggy) or any pain either but I think I had a lift back. The procedure was Ok it was drinking all that nasty stuff beforehand I didn't like. I would have been fine in a taxi. Could you organise your husband to bring baby and pick you up from the hospital? And a nice treat for you after!

Yes he'll have to but I'm not happy about having my baby driven in a taxi tbh. Needs must though.