Sedative for colonoscopy

[Tonnerre]

I've got to have a colonoscopy and am not looking forward to it.

The blurb from the hospital says I'll need to choose between Entonox, or intravenous sedation and a painkiller. It sounds as if I'd be more dopey after intravenous sedation; on the other hand I don't recall that entonox was that effective during labour.

Has anyone had a colonoscopy or similar? Any thoughts on which might be better?

I had sedation and can barely remember anything about it so I would recommend that option personally. I dreaded it but it really was nowhere near as bad as I anticipated .

Opt for sedation. The prep is the worst part.

I recently had a gastroscopy with no sedation. Not many people do it without sedation. Obviously it's the other end. But I would have MUCH preferred to have it in the other end! Not to minamise yuur procedure!

It was unpleasant but fine. The tube isn't that wide for either procedure I think really like a little finger. And really what you feel is the entry bit. I didn't feel anything internally.

I went for no sedation as I have anxiety which can be triggered by health issues. So I just didn't want the risk of (very rare) complications. I felt a sedation just makes it into a huge deal, youre dozy and can't be alone for 24 hours.

I'd bite the bullet get it done without sedation then do something nice treat yourself afterwards.

Take the sedation, don't be a hero!

@Namechangedforthistoday

Opt for sedation. The prep is the worst part.

That's the other bit I'm not looking forward to. I've already told DH that, once I've taken the first dose, if he gets between me and the bathroom he's a dead man.

Which reminds me. I'm supposed to take the first dose (senna tablets) 24 hours beforehand, and the last one (picolax) around 6 hours beforehand. They give the same timings whether your appointment 1pm or 5 pm, and mine is more towards 1pm. I'm a bit worried I could get caught short on the way to the hospital. What is other people's experience? Should I consider taking the last dose a bit earlier?

Had one two weeks ago without sedation but I had to do an emema at home before and not the prep (enema much more pleasant!), so if I'd had the sedation and they weren't clear enough, then I couldn't have the examination and would have to return for another one. It did hurt but was over quickly. Less painful than a smear which I find excrutiating.

Have the sedation. I wasn't knocked out but once it kicked in absolutely nothing bothered me! I remember talking so much rubbish to the surgery team I was a bit wiped out after but I had an afternoon appointment so hadn't eaten all day. It really wasn't a problem recovering from it other than you are not allowed to drive for 24 hours after. You will be fine, the teams that do these procedures are great at putting you at ease. Good luck!

I had it without sedation. I don't recommend it.

The sedation is very good, you don't feel a thing once the port is in your hand and you do feel very relaxed. I was extremely chatty with the nurse, asking where she came from in Spain and what the local delicacies were!
The consultant was disturbingly young but lovely -- he came to take me into the theatre himself and on the way he said it would not be nearly as bad as I thought. I didn't believe him, but he was absolutely right.
Take the sedation. Really.

I had it without sedation, I didn't have loads of choice because I wanted to be able to drive/be okay for children later that day. I won't lie, it wasn't the most fun day out and it was uncomfortable at times. However, it's nowhere near labour levels if that's what you're worried about with the gas and air, and obviously much quicker! I did find watching my colon on a screen bizarre

And, if during the procedure, you so much as wince even slightly, they top up the sedation immediately.
I went to Addenbrookes in Cambridge which is known for its expertise in this and I wrote them a letter afterwards saying how impressed I was with the whole process. (Well, apart from the bowel prep.)

I've had several colonoscopies and recommend intravenous sedation if offered; (because it gives me a great rush as it goes in) though I have had it with no sedation and that was fine too.

With sedation I get the rush then will just verbally count down to oblivion and next thing I'm waking up back in bed with no memory of the procedure, very ready for tea and toast which they bring round. Without sedation, I've watched the entire procedure on screen (interesting to see up your own colon). I had no pain either way.

Prep; In your own best interest do EXACTLY what they told you for the prep; no skimping . it is really really important to get your colon totally clear so that the scope can see everything well . You'll be totally poo-less/ empty after finishing the picolax so don't worry about getting caught short.
While doing the prep, Stay home, close to loo, no visitors, quiet day, don't plan to do anything else at all. Just slob out on sofa with a book or watch a DVD . Good luck, and don't worry. Colonoscopy isn't nearly as bad as your imagination expects.

Other tip; take a book or mag to read while you're waiting in your little cotton gown.

Thanks everyone, I think I'll go for for sedation. No-one gives you medals for suffering unnecessarily, after all, and DH is lined up to collect me anyway.

Any thoughts about my query about timing of the prep medication?

I think sedation is the way to go, no need to suffer and you will feel so much more relaxed!

Honestly I've had 5, and I don't think sedation is necessary. Gas and air is perfectly fine, it's really not that bad. It's very different to labour to I wouldn't compare the two pain wise! It's uncomfortable, I wouldn't say painful.

Thanks, @2bazookas, I posted my last message before yours came up.

I'm certainly not planning on skimping on the prep medication. My issue is that they tell you to take the last dose of Picolax at 7 a.m. irrespective of whether your appointment is at 1 or 5, and I'm just wondering whether I'll still be needing to be near the loo at 12.30 when I need to start off for the hospital.

In some respects, the prospect of slobbing out for a day without feeling guilty is quite inviting.

If it's a full colonoscopy and not just a sigmoidoscopy then I'd take the sedation. Just after the sigmoid colon there is a corner they have to turn and I found it quite painful. I've always recovered from sedation quite quickly though and I'm gone home again within the hour.

I had a colonoscopy with no sedation , mainly because they were only offering Midazolam and that makes me really ill , it was fine , slight discomfort on occasion but that’s all . With regards to the prep if you are on the clear fluid diet beforehand it shouldn’t really matter if you do the prep slightly earlier although senna and a sachet of picolax doesn’t actually sound like a lot of prep .

I have had a gastroscopy without sedation-in fact I was talked out of it by the Nurse, It was uncomfortable but no where near painful and over in minutes.
I have also had a colonoscopy with sedation-I found it quite uncomfortable but it was blurry and seemed over quickly!
I wouldn't want to do it without..
The prep despite everyone saying was awful I didn't mind at all-I missed eating and cups of tea though!

I’ve had it done twice. No sedation each time. Didn’t hurt at all, just a strange sensation. Chose not to watch the screen and just chatted away to the nurses in the room

I had intravenous sedation. Was absolutely knocked out and didn't feel or remember a thing. Highly recommended.

www.miamiherald.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/dave-barry/article1928847.html

This article is always worth a share when the topic of colonoscopies comes up.

For people who would like to read the article but don’t use links in threads, the following should bring up the article on google - Dave Barry: A journey into my colon — and yours

I’ve had 3 (most recently 3 weeks ago). Take the sedation. It is LOVELY.

The prep is the worst bit, but totally doable.
You will be fine leaving at 12.30. Once it’s finished, it’s finished. Wear a pad if still nervous. Good luck!

With regards to the prep if you are on the clear fluid diet beforehand it shouldn’t really matter if you do the prep slightly earlier although senna and a sachet of picolax doesn’t actually sound like a lot of prep

It's senna plus two sachets of picolax over around 24 hours.

Thanks everyone, this thread's really helpful.