Colonoscopy- Will I be under GA?

[Janus]

I’m over 50 so was sent a general bowel cancer test kit and it’s come back that I need more testing so need to have a colonoscopy. I don’t really like medical procedures, I’ve had quite a few for precancerous cells in cervix and complications. To be honest I prefer just to be under GA. Can I ask to be under or will they think I’m a wimp?! I just don’t want to be awake to be honest which is upsetting me, let alone thinking of what may be.
looking for some comfort I think! Thanks.

I think it depends, people I know who had it had a short acting benzos. So they were asleep very briefly and have no recall but it's not as hardcore as GA. You can ask to be asleep and they will if it's safe, but for some people it might not be. I think it really depends on the patient. But tell them you've anxiety and would like to be asleep if possible.

Thank you! Even gas and air would be ok for me (had to have that for a haemorrhage once and made it very bearable!), I will make sure I ask on the booking in call next week.

I've had a few some with gas and air some with nothing. I was fine. Apart from when I was breastfeeding I was offered sedation. The worst pain is afterwards because your full of wind, you need to keep moving.
I remember sat eating tea and toast after one and there were 3 people who'd been in before me who'd had sedation all discussing how they didn't remember anything but thought they'd been a sleep for hours.

You are so heavily sedated you are totally unaware of what's happening. Honestly, the procedure is really easy and painless. The worst bit is taking the bowel prep the day before. I have one every two years, and it's OK.

My mum had one and no was not under GA, she didn't even have strong sedation because she didn't want to stay in hospital too long.

You won't be put under GA. I was given mild sedation last year. The NHS is trying to save money so you don't get a lot. It was enough. I agree, the most unpleasant bit is the prep the day before.

You can usually have gas and air like giving birth or sedation. My DH has these regularly- (every 3 years for the last 30yrs) and has the sedation most of the time- tried gas and air once and it didn't work for him so a painful experience. Sedation is much better - he can't drive after so I drop him off/pick him up. General anesthetic not an option but he says he is very floaty/away with the fairies so does not remember anything.

And OP, my FIT score was 200+ which is extremely high. I had a lot of blood in my sample. Turned out I had 2 x polyps. Removed and all ok. ( I didn't have any symptoms)

GA isn't given as an option in the uk for colonoscopies as it's deemed to high risk for a relatively low risk procedure.
If you go private, you can opt for heavy sedation which knocks you out flat but isn't as strong as a GA. These can be given on the NHS but only under exceptional circumstances.
On the NHS you can have sedation or gas and air.

They ask you if you want sedation and it is very effective so don't worry. Drinking the prep is the worst bit - but manageable! It's all very routine.

I had it with gas and air and no sedation.
It was pretty painful.
I would suggest taking the sedation.

Thank so much everyone, I will go for sedation (whatever that is?!). I will mention it on the booking in call. I’d rather have something/anything as don’t really want to be tense!! I’ve just watched Michael Moseley (bless him) having his a few years ago and he didn’t flinch and had nothing! But I’ll ask for something! Am about to go on holiday for 3 weeks so just going to try and park it for now! I’ve never noticed any blood or had any stomach pain so hoping it’s going to be routine and good news.

Opt for IV sedation, gas and air wasn't enough for me and I wish I had just taken the sedation.

This is what I’m going to ask for, there’s no point me being a total wreck as they try to do it, I just want it done once and they can have a good rummage!! I’ll try and be firm about it! Thanks. Was yours all clear when you had it done in the end?

I've had 2 with gas & air, it was a bit uncomfortable right at the end but it was fine, and being properly awake meant I got to watch the camera screen as well which was actually quite reassuring because I knew there was nothing there to worry about!

I had one and was not offered any sedation but it wasn't remotely painful, even when they removed a polyp they found.

There was a tiny twinge when they went round a particularly sharp "bend" but that was it.

Also I was sent an enema to do at home for the "clearing out" rather than having to drink anything.

Good luck OP 🙂

I'm coming up for my 10th colonoscopy (history of bowel cancer and other problems). I like watching on the screen so I don't usually bother with any sedation. I do take ear buds and listen to very loud music and belting heavy metal gets me through every time. I'm 68 and I do get a few odd looks because sound leakage from the buds but I really don't care any more.

I had one last week. I had sedation and they also gave me fentanyl. There was entonox (gas and air) on offer too.
It was unpleasant and uncomfortable not least because they kept turning me over because apparently I have a long and twisty colon. By far the worst bit was the diet for 4 days before and the bowel prep the day before.
I could watch on the screen in spite of sedation - I didn't actually feel sedated.

You’re all so kind taking the time to explain. I think I’ll take what’s on offer! I’ve had some pretty awful fertility tests in the past that have left me quite traumatised and was told to only take paracetamol and I don’t know how I didn’t pass out it was so awful. I know this is different but I think I just get myself in a state so I will explain at the book in I’d like something. Gas and air has been effective for me in the past and was all I needed for childbirth so I think I have faith in that. Along with AirPods and music another good idea! Thank you.

It’s very usual to have sedation and / or gas and air. If you’re sedated you will need someone to pick you up and stay overnight with you. GA is not an option for colonoscopies in the majority of units.

The most important thing is to do the prep exactly as the instructions say. Don’t worry if it takes a while for things to get going, it always has the desired effect in the end!

Have a chat when you arrive and they’ll be fine with whatever you decide.

I had max sedation which was mix of a benzodiazepine and pethidine, they also gave me gas and air as I woke up when they were inflating inside to see. I took a couple of deep breaths with the G&A and fell back to sleep and woke up in recovery. X

I recently had a colonoscopy. they tell you there and then if there are any causes for concern.
The whole procedure lasts around 25 minutes.
I had gas and air which was very manageable. It only tended to be painful when the camera was going around the 2-3 bends in the bowel, they let you know when that point comes and tell you to have the gas & air.
You can't feel the camera going in or anything like that.
I was offered a sedative or gas & air, they did say you aren't asleep with the sedative, but you can't drive if you have it, someone would need to pick you up afterwards.
The worse bit by far is the prep. The moviprep tastes awful, but small amounts every 10-15 minutes makes it manageable.

I see you've managed fine on it with labour pains - you will be fine with gas & air! It wasn't half as painful as labour.

Wishing you all the best!

So this will SOUND like a scarestory but it's absolutely not!

Had gastroscopy with no sedation & was VERY traumatised by it, so wanted anything and everything for my colonoscopy. I even burst into tears to the radiographer at the suggestion of another gastro, totally out of the blue.

For the colonoscopy, unfortunately, I think the needle popped through my vein & the sedative started to take effect after the procedure was done so I've no recollection of getting back to the ward but remember everything else 🤣. However! This means I now know it's a completely manageable, if uncomfortable, experience.

Go for the sedation (you won’t get GA). I had a bit of pain, but it was manageable. Didn’t feel that out of it tbh. I was looking forward to that part!
Yes prep before I’d def worse. Tip - if you are starting it night before - invest in some incontinence pull ups, that way you’ll get some sleep and not worry about ‘leakage’.
i hope it goes well for you.