Colonoscopy

[Sunny200]

I am due to have a colonoscopy within the next few weeks as I have suspected colitis. I get very nervous to any medical procedures and have a phobia of not being in control and don't at all like the idea of being sedated for the procedure. Can you request not to have sedation? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Yes. I am never sedated. They will give gas and air for the discomfort. I have Crohn's-colitis. It's actually a very interesting experience, as you get to see inside your own body. They give you a cuppa and a biscuit, usually, then you go home.

worst bit is drinking the stuff before. get through that and the actual procedure is simple. I just used gas and air and is definitely interesting, there's no nerves in that area so the only slight discomfort is it going in and the air they pump in to get a good look round. best of luck.

I had one without. mainly because I wanted to leave after as soon as possible.
sedation was offered before and throughout.
it wasn't too bad, a bit unpleasant but manegable.

I'm having one on Tuesday but with sedation. I'm not bothered about the procedure, its the meds before that worry me and no eating for more than 24 hours

You can opt for sedationor no sedation. The worst part by far is the bowel prep beforehand.

I had sedation-was not offered any other option(I did ask and was just told "Oh No you will need to be sedated")
Anyway I do not think it worked (even the nurse commented afterwards) I found it painful but over quickly enough.
I think gas and air would have been a much better option.
Good luck-Just make sure you tell them in no uncertain terms you do not wish to be sedated.

They don’t have to sedate you but I would recommend sedation

I didn’t have sedation. It wasn’t pleasant but I managed to get it done.

Hmmm I wasn’t offered G&A I bet that would’ve helped

Where I work we offer no sedation if you request it. We don't have gas and air though (though we've been trying for years!)

Thank you for the advice, my appointment is next Monday so I will see how I get on. I have a feeling I won't get a choice as my bowel is inflamed. I am dreading it as I have a real phobia about sedatives and anethestics. Would love the option of gas and air but don't think they offer it.

I had one yesterday and was just told I was having deep sedation - the sedation was fine - literally just put something in your hand you go to sleep, wake up its over, no pain, no memory of it.

The 2 litre drink for it is really awful and I am still ill from it now. If they give you a tablet option take it.

I had a sigmoidoscopy (same as a colonoscopy but doesn’t go as far round the bowel) and I had an enema on the day at the hospital to clear my bowels as I refused to do the drink prep (I get bad dizzy spells if I don’t eat proper food as I’m hypoglycaemic).
I didn’t have any sedative and it was unpleasant. The tube they use is the thickness of a finger and I didn’t like feeling it going high up into my bowel. That being said, I survived and it only took 5 mins.
The nurse did say to me that if i’d Been having a colonoscopy they would have insisted on sedating me as it goes so far round and can be painful for a lot of people.