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Autoimmune disease

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Original poster

Colonoscopy - sedation yes or no?

51 replies

GG1986 · 13/08/2023 21:51

Anyone that has had a colonoscopy before, did you have just gas and air or did you have intravenous sedation? I have my first one soon and not sure what to expect. Is it painful?

OP posts:

Bringonthesunforthewashing · 13/08/2023 21:57

I have had looaaaddds.

i really don’t understand why anyone would choose not too?!!

it makes the whole thing fine believe me.

it isn’t painful, but can be uncomfortable at times. But with sedation, it makes it absolutely fine!!!

the worse bit is the prep before. Make the mixture up and put in the fridge, use a straw to drink - you are welcome 😊.

you will be fine honestly! Xx

Bringonthesunforthewashing · 13/08/2023 21:58

Oh and you can have gas and air with sedation too

TinkerbellefromYorkshire · 13/08/2023 21:58

.You can chose to have a sedative (usually Midazolam) and a painkiller (usually Pethidine or Fentanyl) and sometimes something to relax your bowel (usually Buscopan) which will be administered via the cannula into your vein, and will make you lightly drowsy and relaxed, but not unconscious.
I have had five and always had this..
It's not bad at all.. l find the laxatives ( the powder you put in water and drink before hand harder..
Good luck.

msbevvy · 13/08/2023 21:58

I have had several and didn't have either.

I wanted to get away as quickly as possible. It isn't that bad at all.

nopuppiesallowed · 13/08/2023 22:01

I had a colonoscopy a few years ago and was sedated for it. They discovered I have kinks in my bowel, so could have done with a lot more sedation and painkillers, but other people with less complicated insides apparently manage just fine and even watch the screen while it's being done!

BlackJumpsuit · 13/08/2023 22:02

Yes yes yes.

The bonus is you won't even remember it afterwards.

FloofCloud · 13/08/2023 22:03

I would, just so they could get in with it without me grumping

FitAt50 · 13/08/2023 22:07

I have had 2 and had gas and air both times and not painfull. Also had 3 endoscopy's and they are 100 times worse - each time was refused sedation.

scrollinginthedark · 13/08/2023 22:17

I had one just with gas and air and it was the most horrific experience of my life. Absolute agony and, to make matters worse, I was in so much pain they couldn't complete it so had to go again. I've had a lot of bum things (medically) and from then on I cried as soon as they said they needed to examine me. Get yourself sedated!!!

Rocknrollstar · 13/08/2023 22:34

Definitely have sedation. It isn’t painful but not very nice. I was offered the chance to watch the screen but I declined. Concerning the stuff you have to drink in advance - basically I spent three hours sitting on the loo with a good book. Start drinking it early.

JenWillsiam · 13/08/2023 22:36

I’ve had 2. First time I didn’t and honestly no idea why I made such a ridiculous decision. It doesn’t hurt but it’s easily the most unpleasant sensation I’ve experienced in a while. And it takes a LONG time. Second time I had sedation and a super time.

PercyMcPigface · 13/08/2023 22:40

Sedation every bloody time. As PP have said, why on earth wouldn't you?

Careerdilemma · 13/08/2023 22:41

I didn't bother with the sedation, just an IV painkiller and it was totally fine. The nurse told me the main reason for offering sedation is that people can find it very embarrassing. I'm not easily embarrassed so it was a non-issue.

nocoolnamesleft · 13/08/2023 22:42

I had oral sedation, probably midazolam. Was fine.

Beaucielblues · 13/08/2023 22:42

Sedation all the way. When I left the hospital, I lay on the grass outside and kept saying what an incredibly beautiful world it is! Felt blissful. No pain, just intense curiosity as I watched the screen, even though I am very squeamish. Nice tea and biscuit after. Please don't worry.

Mirabai · 13/08/2023 22:44

Hell yes. I did it without and it was so painful it and to be aborted. It’s not the camera it’s the air.

In France they only do them under a general.

Original poster

GG1986 · 13/08/2023 22:46

Thank you so much all. I will just go for the IV sedation then 👍

OP posts:

ForestGoblin · 13/08/2023 22:46

Aren't you worried about what you might say/ reveal while under the influence??

OhYouSweetSweetFool · 13/08/2023 22:47

Never had anything.
Those that had sedation had to wait for ages to be discharged, I got to have a quick cup of tea and leave straight away.

percypig · 13/08/2023 22:52

I agree with the majority - sedation makes it a breeze, I actually remember pretty much all of mine, but didn’t really experience discomfort either during or after.

The prep was far worse, I followed all the tips but still found it impossible to finish 2 litres of moviprep. Fortunately I had followed the low residue diet for 5 days and only had some jelly and dilutable juice on the day before, so everything was yellow liquid right from the start of my prep anyway, meaning my prep was actually classified as good - apparently a lot of people don’t follow the instructions re diet properly.

I also had an endoscopy (OGD) and initially felt a bit pressured into trying it without sedation, but couldn’t tolerate the mouth guard and tube, so had sedation for it too - I didn’t remember anything after the sedation started!

Floralnomad · 13/08/2023 22:55

I had mine without sedation because the sedation they offered ( Midazolam) makes me very sick and seems to affect my breathing for hours afterwards . I have Addisons and COPD so neither of those things would be good for me .

Cosycatz · 13/08/2023 22:56

I had nothing it was absolutely fine. A little uncomfortable especially the uncontrollable farting from the air but definitely not painful.

thaegumathteth · 13/08/2023 22:56

I didn't have anything when I had mine because I knew I had to get back to looking after newborn ds. It wasn't sore just horrible pressure and uncomfortable.

That said I think I'd get sedated on future just so I could forget the details!!

Cosycatz · 13/08/2023 22:58

I opted for nothing because a recent anaesthetic did not agree with me and I decided it would be a much easier recovery. The whole thing was enormously quick. As others said it is the prep that is no fun.

JollyMollyPolly · 13/08/2023 23:02

I had my last one without any sedation or pain relief, it was mostly uncomfortable, however when the consultant pulled it back out he hit a part of my bowel that was inflamed and I instantly tried to pull the tube out and cried some tears it was so painful! So while I felt brave and got lots of praise from the team for going through it without any painrelief, I personally wouldn't do it without sedation again.

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