Sedation for procedure

[MegGriffin]

I am having a flexible sigmoidoscopy next month and have been offered sedation. After reading the info about the procedure I have decided to be sedated. I am apparently able to follow instructions so not completely out of it. My question is this - can I go to work the next day? Has anyone had this type of sedation and if you had it, when did you feel 'normal' again?

Ah the joys of the sigmoidoscopy! I had one under sedation a couple of years ago. You'll be absolutely fine. It didn't hurt at all - just a bit of mild discomfort. I was awake but pleasantly out of it during the procedure - enough so that I can remember at least some of the total nonsense I was spouting at the doctor and nurse [hblush]. I was back in my room and tucking into a roast chicken dinner an hour or so later. And, again, talking complete rubbish to everyone who cared to listen and finding random things hilariously funny [hblush]. I was back to normal the next day and was fine to go to work, although I think they say not to drive or operate machinery, etc for 24 hours afterwards. Good luck!

Thank you for your reply cardamomginger. You have reassured me a little. Not loking forward to it one bit!

I'm having a colonoscopy under pethadine soon, I think that sounds like what you're having. I'm not to be left on my own for 24 hrs so I'd say you probably couldn't go to work the next day.

Will report back when I've had it done.

Meglet, yours goes in further as I understand it. I think mine only goes in some of the way. I have to give myself an enema 1 hour before leaving home but I believe you have more prep to do. Either way, it sounds a blast! Good luck Meglet and let me know how you get on. Mine is not till the 15th Nov.

yes, it goes further in . I have stop eating 36 hours beforehand and drink some God-awful laxative to flush myself out.

Flat stomach here I come .

With a bit of luck mine won't be too bad so yours should be easier. I'll let you know.

I used to work in endoscopy, a sigmoidoscopy is usually a short test which takes around 10 mins we used to do around 40 of these a day and clinics every day in that time I can only think or 1 person who had sedation. a colonoscopy is different in that the camera looks round the whole large colon and most people had sedation for that. It is entirely your decision as it's your body but the people who did not have sedation drove themselves upnand back for the test. It is uncomfortable but is short lived and if you get the sedation we used which I think would be the one of choice you are not knocked out it is only there to relax you slightly. you can't drive for 24 hours after and should have someone else around for that time too, reason being is if you have an accident although feeling fine insurance companies will not cover you.

Although it is uncomfortable most people tolerate it well and younger left feeling quite gassy (nothing a good trump won't sort out).

I am not trying to put you off just to give you more info to make an informed decision.

I've had a few colonoscopies, I know it's not the same thing.
Had a sedative called hypnoval , a couple of times and I was told not to drive the next day , so I had a lift to work ( self employed so no choice really ) felt worn out and dreadful so wouldn't work if I had to do it again.
Last colonoscopy , a different consultant , he doesn't like giving a sedative , so just had pain killer type drug , and it was fine , felt a bit light headed after but it's actually better for me without the sedative.

I was sedated for endoscopy. I was only 17 though so age maight have been a factor. I don't remember anything! but was told to be wtached for 24 hours after.

Have also been sedated for dental treatment and can relate to the talking rubbish non-stop senario - not too helpful when dentist is trying to work in your mouth. I also carried on to my friend on the phone for hours afterwards.

sorry should have said or colonoscopies (had 3) I've never been sedated or offered it.

Hello, thanks for the relies.
neverever, I keep swaying between sedation or not. When I searched other threads on here about the sigmoinoscopy, most people who had it said they either had sedation or if they didn't they would if there was a next time.
I also thought if it wasn't necessary, why are they offering it to me on my consent form and in the literature? This is my thought process behind my decision. I have someone to take me etc and can move my shifts around.
I want to be brave but i'm so worried.

Gosh I am astonished only one person had sedation, now I feel like a big baby.

I would say don't worry but everyone is different don't feel like a baby and don't be a hero if your instinct is telling you sedation then go for it, I just wanted you to know it is usually over very quickly and another benefit of having nothing is that our consultants/nurse endoscopists would speak to patient straight after to give them their findings but that would depend on the person doing it.

If you want to pm me I don't mind if you want to ask anything else. :)

You are not a big baby!! Have the sedation! Someone is sticking something up your bum - the sedation is the only pleasant part about it! OK, I'm being flippant here, and I know that having fewer drugs is better, etc etc etc. Mine was mildly uncomfortable with the sedation and the procedure overall was absolutely fine. But I really wouldn't have wanted to have had it done without sedation. Someone is sticking a camera up your bum - it's inevitable that you will tense up no matter how much they tell you to relax. The sedation helps with that. Unless you have had a bad reaction to the particular drug they are using, I'd take it if they are offering it. Regarding having to have someone take you to hospital (and bring you home again) if you have sedation - if you have to give yourself an enema at home before you go to hospital, I would recommend having someone drive you in, as you need to consider the effects of the enema too. I didn't like my enema (given in hospital) at all. Felt very crampy and uncomfortable. Wouldn't want to have to drive at the same time. What's the big deal about "being brave"?? You are being brave - you're dealing with your health issue and having a sigmoidoscopy. Who says that you're only brave if you do it without sedation? Good luck!

Thank you cardamomginger, I appreciate your post [hsmile].
My Dh will be taking me and picking me up after so I am fine with that side of things. I have had various operations and procedures over the years and have never had a reaction to any drugs so I think I am ok with that as well. I will see what happens on the day.

I have been so consumed with the procedure I haven't even thought about what might be wrong. I guess that's not a bad thing though.

Meg , even when I had no sedation ( just something for pain relief ) I wasn't allowed to drive home . Felt a bit light headed and was glad DH was there to fetch me.
The laxative the day before was pure poison ugh !

doilook (sorry for hijack meg!). Did you take Picolax before your colonoscopy? I have to take mine tomorrow, dreading it .

I had a sigmoidoscopy without sedation

It was fine - an uncomfortable and gassy few hours followed but was back at work the work next day

Am due for a colonoscopoy soon and will have sedation for that without question

Meg , no I have taken fleet phosphate a couple of times ( like a very salty lemon ) I don't remember the name of the one last year , but not pico lax . I googled the name of it , and found a chat room where people compared notes and gave tips on what to take with it to make it more palatable , and how long it took to have an effect..... Interesting reading !

Remembered now, Kleen Prep.

where I worked it was picolax for siggy and keen prep for colon.

Well I had my flex sig today with sedation and I am glad I chose that option. I found it very painful even with sedation. The other ladies having them done before me also had sedation so it's not unusual in our PCT I guess.

The doctors and nurses were lovely but I hope I don't ever need another one.