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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if I can go to a colonoscopy alone?

151 replies

Lutherant · 22/01/2025 14:00

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?

OP posts:
Msmoonpie · 22/01/2025 15:15

Negroany · 22/01/2025 15:05

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

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Surely if teenager is responsible enough to have a drivers licence they would ? These days they’re unlikely to have managed to pass before 18 as it takes so long due to lack of test availability.

Original poster
Lutherant · 22/01/2025 15:16

I dont know any teenagers so isn't an option anyway! I know almost no one round here who would be able to help.

OP posts:
frecklejuice · 22/01/2025 15:17

I went on my own, had sedation then they let me go home alone on the tube (appointment was in London). I did get my husband to meet me but they didn't know that and to be honest I felt fine. It was only a light sedation and wore off quickly. You'll be fine.

Msmoonpie · 22/01/2025 15:17

P00hsticks · 22/01/2025 14:52

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.

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Some people really don’t have anyone.

Someone I knew but not very well was in this situation and the hospital just shrugged and couldn’t have given a fuck if his symptoms killed him. Fuckwits.

Luckily he told me and I collected him - I was a huge thing to ask for me as I lived at the other end of the UK at the time.

frecklejuice · 22/01/2025 15:18

Lutherant · 22/01/2025 14:26

I get people are saying its fine without sedation but I have form for finding medical tests that others have told me are not painful to in fact be very painful

I found it incredibly painful as I came round from the anaesthetic towards the end.

cheekaa · 22/01/2025 15:19

Marylou62 · 22/01/2025 14:11

I've been alone twice...
Both times I've had no sedation..
It was painful but bearable..
2nd time I had gas and air..
I got the bus home after..
It's like contractions during childbirth.. painful but only in waves..

This.
I walked home afterwards eating a pastry!!

user2848502016 · 22/01/2025 15:19

My mum had one recently and was dropped off & picked up by my dad but she didn't need him to stay there with her, and she also didn't have any sedation so would have been ok to make her own way home.
She just had gas & air and said it was fine.
If you think you need the sedation though your DH could come and get you and bring the baby with him couldn't he?

mathanxiety · 22/01/2025 15:21

You can go on your own, get the proper sedation, and be picked up by your husband.

You won't need anyone to hold your hand for the actual procedure.

He can come for you in a taxi with the baby if you don't have a car. A staff member can walk you to the lobby or he can go to the outpatient check out desk.

Would any of that be possible?

mathanxiety · 22/01/2025 15:21

Lutherant · 22/01/2025 14:26

I get people are saying its fine without sedation but I have form for finding medical tests that others have told me are not painful to in fact be very painful

Don't attempt it without sedation.

mathanxiety · 22/01/2025 15:25

Lutherant · 22/01/2025 15:14

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

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Do you have a car seat or carrier that can be held securely with a seat belt?

CherryRipe1 · 22/01/2025 15:25

I saw a consultant yesterday and having a follow up colonoscopy & he said I absolutely have to have someone to accompany me home. Same as when I had a gastroscopy & teeth implants. I think they use a diazepam type of drug.

tattooshka · 22/01/2025 15:27

I went alone and DH just came to get me after. I had sedation. We went back for my car the other day

Original poster
Lutherant · 22/01/2025 15:30

mathanxiety · 22/01/2025 15:25

Do you have a car seat or carrier that can be held securely with a seat belt?

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Yes, I think it can be used with a seat belt. It is isofix in my car.

OP posts:
Mindymomo · 22/01/2025 15:30

KeyWorker · 22/01/2025 15:03

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 wouldn’t recommend this, I waited for my DH when he last had a colonoscopy, he was 4 hours as they had urgent overnight admissions, I only waited as the one before that, I just got home and they rang for me to collect him.

Op, why are you having the procedure if you don’t have any symptoms or flare ups with your Chrons.

Original poster
Lutherant · 22/01/2025 15:30

It's a heavy car seat and doesn't clip onto a pram so DH will have to lug it about all day if he waits at the hospital.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lutherant · 22/01/2025 15:31

Mindymomo · 22/01/2025 15:30

I wouldn’t recommend this, I waited for my DH when he last had a colonoscopy, he was 4 hours as they had urgent overnight admissions, I only waited as the one before that, I just got home and they rang for me to collect him.

Op, why are you having the procedure if you don’t have any symptoms or flare ups with your Chrons.

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Because I've not had any imaging in so long and they want to make sure it isn't progressing silently in there.

OP posts:
FinallyHere · 22/01/2025 15:40

I'd always go for sedation, take a taxi there on your own, he collects you in another taxi.

mindutopia · 22/01/2025 15:51

Definitely have the sedation. Dh had to come into hospital and literally receive me. Could you ask a friend or family member to give you a lift?

Original poster
Lutherant · 22/01/2025 15:56

mindutopia · 22/01/2025 15:51

Definitely have the sedation. Dh had to come into hospital and literally receive me. Could you ask a friend or family member to give you a lift?

I haven't got anyone nearby who could unfortunately.

OP posts:
YorkshirePuddingsGreatestFan · 22/01/2025 15:59

I had one scheduled on the same day as an important meeting my OH couldn't get out of at work.

I was going to have it without sedation. The pre-op nurse said it's easier with sedation and advised me to book the patient transport. If you ask your GP receptionist, they will give you details of who you need to contact.

One of those minibus/ambulances came and picked me up and took me to the hospital. On the way back, it was a private car driven by a volunteer lady.

TheatreTraveller · 22/01/2025 16:01

Negroany · 22/01/2025 15:03

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.

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Mine was exactly the same but only 12 biopsies taken.

WasteOfPaint · 22/01/2025 16:07

I personally could not have managed without sedation.

Original poster
Lutherant · 22/01/2025 16:08

I'll definitely have sedation. We will do the taxi option. DH will have to have DS in the carrier and carry the car seat. Won't kill him.

OP posts:
MaiAamWaliHun · 22/01/2025 16:09

I was alone and had to sign a disclaimer form before they would let me leave alone but it was fine

welshpolarbear · 22/01/2025 16:09

I had this scenario recently as I live 2 hrs from the hospital. I usually do all my hospital appts alone, I prefer it.

But I called to check I could just get a taxi to a hotel and they said no, you have to be discharged to someone. End of. Difficult isn't it.

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