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Original poster

Colonoscopy sedation, yes or no

32 replies

Damekitty · 04/01/2025 09:42

I’m due to have a colonoscopy and whilst I would like sedation I also want to be with it enough to take in what the doctor says. Can I ask for your experience? Thanks.

OP posts:
JC03745 · 04/01/2025 09:45

TBH- I never knew there was an option to NOT have sedation! My mum (abroad) has one every 2yrs and I'm sure she has a general each time.

Surely, even if you have sedation, they will explain the findings only once you are fully awake?

Natsku · 04/01/2025 09:45

I've had two, the first without sedation, the second supposedly with sedation (but it didn't work). I would never ever have one again without proper sedation. Its not like the doctor talks to you during it anyway except perhaps to tell you to shift your position a bit so there's nothing to take in, you get your results later.

GG1986 · 04/01/2025 09:55

Absolutely take the sedation!! I didn't and it was awful for me.

CharlotteStreetW1 · 04/01/2025 09:57

I wasn't offered sedation and, apart from having your arse out in front of a bunch of strangers 😄, the only discomfort was when the camera went round a particularly sharp bend which was only momentary.

Nursemumma92 · 04/01/2025 11:41

I would take the sedation, they will explain it to you once fully awake from the sedation and should send you home with a copy of the colonscopy report.

Lovelysummerdays · 04/01/2025 11:44

I didn’t have sedation I did have gas and air which was enough to take the edge off.

Physiologicalmalfunction · 04/01/2025 11:50

I've had one with, and one without.

The first one was with and they waited till I was ready to be discharged (they give you an hours bed rest and tea etc to make sure you are fit to leave) before they went through the results and they gave me a print out of the findings to take home.

The second one was without and it was really quite uncomfortable, but you can go home straight away.

If I had a third it would be with!

Original poster
Damekitty · 04/01/2025 11:53

Thanks everyone. I will go with the sedation.

OP posts:
MrsCarson · 04/01/2025 12:23

I had sedation, I wouldn't have considered not having sedation.

ForPearlViper · 04/01/2025 12:25

Natsku · 04/01/2025 09:45

I've had two, the first without sedation, the second supposedly with sedation (but it didn't work). I would never ever have one again without proper sedation. Its not like the doctor talks to you during it anyway except perhaps to tell you to shift your position a bit so there's nothing to take in, you get your results later.

I asked for sedation but it didn't work properly (I've got previous form for this though). It was painful when they pumped in the air to distend the colon.

However, it was utterly fascinating and, pain aside, I quite enjoyed it. I could see everything on the big screen they used and the colononoscopy nurses talked through everything. I watched them remove the polyps they found and knew before I left the room that they hadn't found anything sinister.

However, whilst it was 'fun' to see inside my own body, if I have another I will definitely be making sure I have sufficient sedation!

CeciledeVolangesdeNouveau · 04/01/2025 12:28

Definitely. If anyone is putting a tube in any part of your digestive tract, you want sedation. I've discussed this enough times in acute wards to know that everyone has a different experience, some feel nothing, for some it's excruciating, but either way 100% take the sedation option. Even if you have a high pain threshold, take what they offer, and don't try to be brave during the procedure, if you need a break just ask. By the way, I am not very responsive to sedation in general but I was able to go to work straight away (by public transport) and do a full day's work after I was sedated for an endoscopy back in 2019. The colonoscopy left me drowsy but I still functioned.
Also, just FYI

MsJinks · 04/01/2025 12:30

I had gas and air instead though also offered sedation part way through for some polyp removals, which I declined - the gas and air works well for me and I knew this after kids. No problem at all, no pain, felt fine straight after and could go home unaccompanied. Had sedation for other cameras which doesn't work as well imo.
The worst bit of a colonoscopy imo is the prep.

Natsku · 04/01/2025 12:32

ForPearlViper · 04/01/2025 12:25

I asked for sedation but it didn't work properly (I've got previous form for this though). It was painful when they pumped in the air to distend the colon.

However, it was utterly fascinating and, pain aside, I quite enjoyed it. I could see everything on the big screen they used and the colononoscopy nurses talked through everything. I watched them remove the polyps they found and knew before I left the room that they hadn't found anything sinister.

However, whilst it was 'fun' to see inside my own body, if I have another I will definitely be making sure I have sufficient sedation!

Show quote history

The air was very painful, as were the bends. I don't recall watching the screen, perhaps it wasn't angled towards me, or I was just in too much pain to pay attention to anything. I did find watching the screen on my ureteroscopy fascinating though, and at least that was only painful at the beginning.

mitogoshigg · 04/01/2025 12:32

Dh didn't have sedation by choice, meant he could leave after 30 mins, with sedation it was hours

Sinkintotheswamp · 04/01/2025 12:34

Take the sedation. I always make sure I'm drugged to the max for things like this (see also, hysteroscopy, endoscopy).
Even then it hurt as they found a tight bend on my colon. They explain it afterwards and you should get discharge notes / letter.

TotemPolly · 04/01/2025 12:36

It's a very light sedation , you will have nurses in front of you and I remember having a conversation with them , although it probably wasn't much of a good one !

FreshOutOfFucks · 04/01/2025 12:38

I had sedation for mine and I was wide awake throughout, just really, really high!

MadKittenWoman · 04/01/2025 12:39

I had 'sedation' and it was still agony. the NHS sent me to a private hospital and, apparently, they cannot give the same level of sedation as an NHS hospital. If I had to have another one, I would insist on a general.

BashfulClam · 04/01/2025 12:41

I had a endoscopy which is when they go down your throat. The nurse did say there isn’t much difference as you are still aware of everything. I had walking sedation to remove teeth surgically and it hurt but I couldn’t give a shit. With the endoscopy I didn’t take it and it was unpleasant but I just had to breathe and get through it as it doesn’t take long.

sherbertcandy · 04/01/2025 12:42

I've had quite a few now and ALWAYS with sedation as also they get a clearer picture if you are relaxed. Where I go the staff are brilliant and make you feel comfortable the whole time

Eyesopenwideawake · 04/01/2025 12:45

I love the sedation! Danced my way out of the clinic and down the street, much to everyone's amusement 😂

Boffle · 04/01/2025 13:41

I had sedation for this and also on a different occasion for a gastroscopy.
Both times I didn't feel noticabley sedated, was fully awake and aware of what was going on. For the colonoscopy I also needed additional pain relief.

GinandGingerBeer · 04/01/2025 14:07

Sedation hardly touches the sides. You're still with it. It's still very uncomfortable (sorry but it is) I was in floods of tears after mine but I was in a state as I had an endoscopy as well the same day. Brutal!

I think the sedation made me teary afterwards but seemed to do FA during!
Take as much as they offer!

Richardchamberlainrocks · 05/01/2025 00:41

I had one without sedation and I can honestly say that I find going to the dentist more painful than this procedure. I didn’t bother with the gas and air and whilst it was a little uncomfortable it was in no way painful. If only doing the prep the day before had been so easy!

Floralnomad · 05/01/2025 00:51

I had mine without sedation and it was fine . The only sedation they were offering was Midazolam and that makes me vomit and affects my breathing for about 3 days afterwards ( I have COPD) . Like the pp the prep was the worst part , the procedure was not painful in anyway it was more discomfort .