Colonoscopy: anaesthetic or Entonox?

[Shortfatandangry]

Just that really. Not sure which to go with, the anaesthetic is Fentynl I believe, which I don't like the thought of but everyone I've spoken to says gas and air isn't enough.

I had one earlier this year and had the fentanyl. A better experience I could not have had, can see why people get addicted to it, supremely relaxing!

I've had several and always have sedation, I don't know specifically what drug it is but I agree that gas and air is not enough.

Having done both definitely the sedative. I found the experience with Entonox was still painful. Good luck

I have them every 5 years and usually get away without any pain relief. I needed gas and air on one occasion when my bowel seemed to be particularly twisted!

I had the gas and air and it wasn’t enough - I was crying at the end. I had no pain relief at all with either of my children so i don’t consider myself a wuss. Take the drugs hth.

Anaesthetic

Fentanyl is lovely, more a sedative though.

I just had the gas and air but had a cannula in in case I changed my mind. I was fine and fairly comfortable. I could also leave straight away which was a bonus for me

I had nothing its really not bad at all they had the gas and air ready as a back up if needed but it wasn't. Iv had 3

This is what I like had a cup of tea and biscuit got dressed and out the door as if nothing happened

I have had both, the anaesthetic was great no pain and no side effects. I found the one I did with gas and air was very painful. The cramps were a bit like birth contraction pains.
Everyone is different but if I have another I would definitely take the anaesthetic

I'm in the US and it's always done under general anesthesia. There was no discussion about any other option. And quite frankly, I'm glad.

Fentanyl. It's just a small dose of sedative fine for the colonoscopy but entirely inadequate for the endoscopy I had at the same time.

The adrenaline rush I had from the horror of the camera and mouth guard entirely eclipsed any benefit from the drug.

Had one three weeks ago, Fentanyl was wonderful.

I'd be gutted i like watching it on the screen I find it fascinating but I might be weird

Which part of painful and unpleasant? Is it stomach cramps? Or where it’s inserted?!

For info it's the same in France..

I have them on a regular basis and they are done under a general. First one I was sedated and the consultant said that was too traumatic for everyone in the room, I don't remember but apparently I was in a lot of pain. So now the general and the worst part is taking the prep medication.

They give you pictures afterwards. That's enough for me!

I loved showing them pictures to everyone i was like so this is what up my bum hole and bowel looks like nobody wanted to see🤣🤣🤣

I think often when its painful it's down to the drs technique as I had a junior dr practice on one of mine and it hurt and the other dr stepped in and said il make it more comfortable for you as he had looped it and I felt fine again when he sorted it and passed it back to the junior dr again. I also think the shape of your insides make a difference as its dependent on the bends you have.

Not for a colonoscopy but I gave birth with only gas and air and it literally did nothing. In the end I just used the mouthpiece as something to bite down on.

I’m ‘lucky’ enough to have one every year and always have the fentanyl and gas and air!

Sedation all the way. There is no way I'd even contemplate anything else for either or both endoscopy/colonoscopy.

The sedation is a combination of Midazolam (benzodiazepine) which has amnesiac effects, so you don't remember much about the procedure afterwards, and Fentanyl which is the pain relief.

Give me the drugs any day!

I agree with this comment . I’ve had two and had sedation both times, I don't think they gave me much as I was very aware of everything . The first colonoscopy was uncomfortable at times but ok. The second time the nurse said Dr XYZ has just started doing colonoscopies for us and I found it painful