Colonoscopy and gastroscopy same day - sedation?

[Onewayanoth]

Got to have both same day this week. Following the low fibre diet in preparation and after reading lots of threads here, also cut out seeds etc ahead of the NHS suggested three days. nervous about the prep but I’m sure I’ll manage, I’m hoping it’s just boringly unpleasant

but cant decide whether to opt for sedation on the day. I feel like it might help with panic but I’m less keen on the hangover / recovery time. has anyone had both together and would sedation be best option?

I will also likely have heavy period, in excellent timing (no choice over appt, had to be within two week) and but I think the diet rules out painkillers beforehand too

I've had both procedures not at the same time though. I would opt for sedation. It takes the edge off, rather than knock you out. x

I work in theatres where both these procedures are done and I've had a gastroscopy (OGD) myself.

I would definitely opt for sedation, no one wins any medals for doing it without! and provided you're able to get a family member or friend to drive you home then it's a good idea.

I was quite drowsy and don't remember the OGD, the issue can be if you're gagging a little too much it can be difficult for the operator, they gave me more sedation on top of the initial dose as I apparently wasn't tolerating the scope well! Don't remember a thing.

If you opt for sedation it'll likely be a bit of IV Midazolam and maybe even a bit of Fentanyl. It feels good! Enjoy it! And you'll not remember much about the procedure(s).

Definitely have sedation. It wears off really quickly. I have had gastroscopy with and without. Without was horrid.

Def sedation. Only had colonoscopy. It’s really not something you want to remember.

Yes, take the sedation! I've had both together and sedation made it bearable as I only remember the very start (very unpleasant) and a vague memory of pain during the colonoscopy that I appreciate I wasn't fully aware of!

I had both the same day with sedation. One minute they were putting something in my mouth to start the OGD and the next thing I knew they were finishing the colonoscopy!

I opted for sedation because I was terrified of the OGD. I'm glad I had it and had no I'll effects after. Got home and ate a huge McDonalds!

Have had both together twice. I had sedation both times and very much recommend it.

I've had both many times, often on the same day. Always go for sedation.

Joining the chorus! I had sedation under similar circumstances.

Exactly like pp, I had both on the same day and was very frightened of the upper one (emetophobic) - so I went for sedation to avoid panicking. Unfortunately I have a bad reaction to fentanyl so had propofol, which is amazing stuff!

Sedation has to be light-ish for the upper end as you need to breathe for yourself with the scope going down your throat. I was aware of it and gagged pretty hard, but thanks to the drugs gave absolutely no shits about it and just let it all happen, no big deal.

Don't remember a thing after that despite having the full colonoscopy as well, pinged awake after the best sleep of my life and remember bargaining with the anaesthetist to try and score paracetamol through my cannula for the dehydration headache.

I didn't get it! I had to be driven home but I had no hangover, felt completely normal. Prep is no picnic, just horribly necessary. Good luck OP, soon be over.

Having the scope down your throat won't stop you breathing for yourself even if unconscious. I panic badly with these ones & they have to knock me out pretty hard.

Thanks all. Sounds sensible, I can get someone to drive me there and back so no concerns about that.

I've had a colonoscopy without sedation - I really wouldn't recommend it! (And I have a high pain and discomfort threshold)

Sedation - maximum dose! It’s fine with it but I wouldn’t like it, particularly the gastroscopy, without. You should be able to take painkillers I think too.

I had my first colonoscopy without sedation and it was awful! Very painful and I fainted during the procedure. So I would definitely opt for sedation, it wears off pretty quickly.

being deeply sedated can make you stop breathing though and that's very much more difficult to manage when you've got a tube down your oesophagus (because you can't just bag-mask ventilate someone). For patients for whom deep sedation may be needed a GA and intubation before starting the scope may be the safer option, otherwise enough sedation to make it tolerable but not interfere with the breathing is the usual aim.

Yes, that's what the anaesthetist explained to me! I nearly did a runner as the consultant promised me I wouldn't be aware of anything at all - anaesthetist said errr, not quite...

But I'd been through all the prep and couldn't bear to do it again, so told myself to get a grip. It was fine, due to propofol I really didn't care anyway. 😊

I had both together with a general anaesthetic. Was fine. I was around and sitting up in a chair chomping on a sandwich and having a cup of tea in no time, got changed and was out the door. In fact, I was annoyed as I had to wait around for half an hour while DH drove to get me (I thought I’d have plenty of time after coming around to contact him, and for him to drive over to pick me up).

Had these together recently. No sedation, just throat spray for the gastroscopy and gas and air for the colonoscopy. It was easy - drinking the awful prep stuff for the colonoscopy is FAR worse than the discomfort of both procedures put together!

Sedation!

Go for proper sedation. Gas and air doesn't touch the sides. You need the good stuff.

I've had this. I'm in Australia and you don't get the option - GA only. It's fine.

They don't sedate for Gastroscopy here, and it isn't too bad provided you can cope with your gag reflex constantly triggering. Had it done a couple of times, and by far the worst bit was the nurse who took it upon herself to hold my head and stroke my brow despite never bothering to ask me beforehand if I minded, which I very much did.

We can only do these under a general anaesthetic here in Australia and thank god for that!