Colonoscopy without sedation

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I’m having a colonoscopy first thing Wednesday morning. (Please note I’m not the PBP who had a thread last night about a colonoscopy on Wednesday morning!).

I have a 3y DD who I’ve arranged childcare for and I did have SIL arranged to collect me from the hospital in case I had to have sedation. The plan has gone to pot as DN has a fever so they’re isolating.

My appointment is at a hospital 1.5hr drive from where I live and parking is very difficult so I’ll be hard pushed to arrange someone else to be my ‘escort’ as most of my friends are working and the ones who aren’t would find the drive into the big city and parking stressful.

I’ve had a colonoscopy before with light sedation (I didn’t sleep at all and chatted with the medical staff throughout) and found it pain free; just a bit pinchy on the biopsies. I’m wondering if I can just grit my teeth and get on with this one without any sedation.

Do most people who set off on a colonoscopy without sedation make it through the procedure ok?

Entonox will not be available due to aerosols/Covid.

I've had 2 without sedation and although not pleasant It was bearable.

Much easier than the endoscopys without sedetation.

Good luck x

I managed really well with sedation and therefore thought next time I really didn't need it.

Big. Mistake.

OP, trust me, you need sedation.

I had one with nothing

Found it fine

I have regular colonoscopys and have never had sedation. Its always been fine, and very worth not having to hang around and being able to drive myself home. I hope it goes well for you

Thanks for the replies.

At least more of you have had a reasonable experience than haven't.

I'll be glad to get through it and then just be able to collect DD from nursery as normal and head home.

I have sedation and gas and air but apparently I have a very mobile gut which makes it more painful.

Fair play if you do it without sedation though.

When I last had one I don’t recall them saying anything about me having a difficult colon. I’m hoping that because my UC is in remission that the lack of inflammation should make it easier.

When I went to have my OGD I was all set to have sedation but there were a group of ladies in the waiting room ready to have their colonscopies without sedation.

They were all repeat attenders and said it was fine so I thought if you can have a colonoscopy without sedation, I can have my little OGD without too. They were all really chilled about it as well - I was really surprised.

Thanks AnnaMagnani - that makes me feel hopeful it’ll be ok.

Prep all down the hatch. God I hate that stuff. I never drink soft drinks usually and I can’t stand aspartame so it’s really hard to stomach the overly sweet prep. Having a black coffee as a reward!

I had one without sedation and although it wasn't my favourite day out ever, it's really not too bad, can be a bit uncomfortable but passes quickly. Gas and air was available but I only took a couple of puffs.

You'll be fine, enjoy the weird view of your insides

All done! Thought I'd report back in case it's useful to anyone else.

Really positive experience today at the hospital. Staff were all fantastic and everything was done efficiently but with tons of kindness too. Lovely lovely people.

I managed without sedation and with no pain relief as entonox is out of bounds due to Covid. Most of it was absolutely fine, just ranging between painless and uncomfortable.

There was five minutes that was a bit hellish as there was a difficult turn and the doctor who was in training had a few attempts which were very painful and it was bad enough to make me go clammy but then the consultant took over and navigated the loop quickly and actually painlessly. It goes to show what a difference the driver makes.

Without that one particularly awkward loop it honestly would have been pretty much a walk in the park!