worried about colonoscopy

[unknown88x]

hi everyone i’m looking for some advice around sedation or no sedation for colonoscopy. been referred by GP after a positive FIT test.. i’m sure it’s just IBS but they’re being really thorough with me.

i have anxiety disorder (more so health related), i don’t do well with feeling out of control (eg. when i had my daughter the gas & air made me feel weird & out of control & gave me panic) therefore i’m worried the sedation may do the same?? however i’m also worried about the pain etc

what to do for the best? my procedure is tomorrow, finding the bowel prep not too bad.

Hi, take the sedation, I'm like you, don't like being out of control, but this doesn't do that. It will just relax you, sleepy, dreamy, you will have a nurse by your side, she can even hold your hand the whole time if you like. It doesn't take long but is definitely worthwhile having it done. It will be fine and you will be fine.

Take the sedation.

You won't really feel out of control at all, just a bit sleepy and relaxed.

The alternative to sedation is gas and air.

I had sedation with my colonoscopy and am so glad I did
It just took the edge off, I was still fully in control both physically and mentally
Apparently, the maximum dose of the sedative is 5mg and I had 2mg
So you can start off with a low dose, which can then be topped up (increased), should you need it
Good luck with the procedure tomorrow, I have health anxiety too, I know how you feel

Definitely take the sedation. You won't feel out of control, just relaxed

thank you all - i’ll report back, i’ll take the sedation

hi guys i had it done, no sedation or gas & air was awful!!! i cried & begged him to stop at one point felt sick sweaty, dr said with type of anxiety i have sedation not recommended & previous sickness with gas & air … i got through it but with lots of 😥shouting & swearing

Oh my goodness, you brave brave lady!! You've got through it. I hope the results are ok.

Holy crap OP!! Pardon the pun but I cannot believe you didn’t get the sedation.

I had mine last month and with a nice syringe of Propofol, one minute I was lying on the table and the next I was being helped to recovery by a nurse. I had a cup of tea and a biscuit and went on my way.

I knew nothing!

I've had a colonoscopy and was sedated. I don't remember a thing. I woke up and felt like it has been five minutes but it had been two hours! It was just like taking a nap. No loss of control.

thank you everyone the staff was really nice i did feel a bit pathetic after i apologised for swearing but it really was agony i’m not sure they appreciated how bad it was…i was begging for it to be over but the staff were really supportive & got me through it & thankfully it only lasted 20 LONG minutes … my results were clear so IBS as i suspected!

So sorry it was horrible but glad that the result was clear.
A friend of mine is due one following an abnormal stool sample. They're currently terrified as they have poor health + sensory issues + autism. No partner to go with them.
Knowing its 20 min may be useful. I don't think they will go for sedation as they'd be concerned about being able to drive.

WTF? That is barbaric doing it without sedation. I cannot understand why the doctor said you couldn't have it because of anxiety, it is midazolam which is a benzo - made for anxiety! They often add fentanyl for pain relief too, and as others have said you do not experience anything at all apart from a nice doze.

I am very surprised to hear they would not give you sedation. Very. Any further information on this OP? I've had several and would not have it without sedation. But maybe you have other health issues that mean you cannot take benzodiazepines.

You were very brave, well done. I couldn't do it like you did.

@fizzywat thank you - i’m 31 no health issues except mild asthma! i’d hope they didn’t put me off the sedation to save time??? this concerns me …. they gave me a cannula for pain relief but i never got any! im starting to think my experience wasn’t that positive from the staff 😐

@ZarquonsSandals i hope your friend will be ok, maybe encourage sedation i’ll be honest it was pretty horrendous & i am in good health (i wish i’d have listened to previous posters)

Hi Unknown. I’m like you, suffer from ibs and anxiety. Had a positive fit test.
I was told that Colonoscopy was uncomfortable but not painful. Had my first one yesterday. They lied !!
I didn’t want sedatives because I’m on quite a high dose of antidepressants. At first I found it uncomfortable but then bad pain started. I was given gas and air which eventually made it bearable. I wish I’d started taking the gas and air at the beginning of the procedure.
After it was over I was asked to score my discomfort. I said it was 3 (moderate discomfort). The Colonoscopist said it was only 1 ( no discomfort ) The nurse mediated and we agreed on 2 ( mild discomfort). If that was mild discomfort I dread to think what severe pain is !!!! Why can’t they be honest?