Drugs given during colonscopy

[boble1]

Hi

Im having a colonoscopy soon and will be given midazolam.

I've been told someone needs to stay with me for 24 hours after taking this drug. I thought it a short acting medication.

Why would this be?

Thanks

I had one in October. Think I had propofil(?). Same advice given. Got home at 4.30pm ish and dh did go to work the next day but I was very tired and usually I just bounce back. Felt absolutely fine but did need to flake a bit.

I had one in October. Think I had propofil(?). Same advice given. Got home at 4.30pm ish and dh did go to work the next day but I was very tired and usually I just bounce back. Felt absolutely fine but did need to flake a bit.

I'm guessing It's to cover them and you, if you were to have an accident or reaction they need someone there to help you, they haven't got the resources to keep you in so they can only sign you off if you have someone with you.

To be honest the gas and air does make you a bit woozy and shaky. Me anyway!

I declined the sedative when I had mine as I needed to go to an important work meeting afterwards. I just had an IV painkiller and it was fine. My head felt totally clear and no need to be supervised afterwards. Nurse told me the main reason they sedate is to help people over the embarassment issue when it is being done. Didn't worry me personally. These people look at colons for a living, I doubt mine was anything special

I feel exactly the same as you do about it, squee - These people look at colons for a living, I doubt mine was anything special

I'll be having the medication because of my severe anxiety disorder.

sounds wise! Hope it isn't too stressful for you

@squee123

Thank you.

Even when I go to the dentist or doctor, my heart rate and blood pressure shoot up.

Not looking forward to it at all.

Xx

Oh squee, just to say the procedure was totally painless and over before I knew it.

The prep wasn't nearly as bad as written about either. I think it helped that I started the clear and white diet about 36 hours ahead of the recommendations.

I had midolazam, and yes it leaves you feeling very spaced out (and memories of the whole procedure were pretty blurred by it)

That also use fentanyl at my hospital, but I can’t take that so had gas and air instead. Which makes it sound awful, but actually it wasn’t that bad (and the worst bits were brief).

And the bowel prep was way less scary that I’d worried about. I had Citrofleet sachets - took a while to work, but when they did it was quite dramatic. Don’t plan on going out for several hours after each dose - you do need to be near a loo

If you don’t want sedation you can have gas and air - I find that much more preferable and you can control the dose obviously.

Also they’re fine don’t worry - I’ve had loads!!

Thank you!

The consultant never mentioned gas and air.

He said he'll sedate me because of my severe nerves

I will ask about it though xx

I have at least one a year and they never mentioned it to be for about 4 years! I much prefer it as the sedation doesn’t actually work well for me for some reason plus you get to go straight home and I like to have a relaxing glass of wine after!

Oh yes, I want to go home straight away - cannot bear hospitals.

I'll ask about the gas.

Thank you xx

I work in this field We usually give Midazolam and Fentanyl (I would think each trust my differ). We usually have gas and air available if a patient finds it uncomfortable. The reason you need someone for 24 hours after the sedation is it does remain in your system for that long and it can impair your judgement and affect how safe you are - we advise you not to drive (your insurance wouldn’t cover it) or operate any other heavy machinery, make big decisions such as signing legal documents. You’d probably feel fine but it’s a just in case.

FWIW I had both an upper and a colonoscopy before I moved to work in the area. The prep for the colonoscopy isn’t great (get some nice soft wipes for your bottom!) but the procedure was easier to tolerate than the upper.

@FaithInfinity

Thank you for the clarification.

Much appreciated

You’re very welcome. I hope it goes well

god yes a colonoscopy is positively fun compared to an endoscopy. My endoscopy experience was much like I imagine waterboarding to be. The sedation did bugger all to take the edge of that experience. Give me a colonoscopy any day!