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Original poster

Colonoscopy - sedation or not?

103 replies

User415373 · 11/10/2025 10:00

I have to have a colonoscopy next week. It's in the morning. The only problem is that I have an event I absolutely have to attend in the evening. It would be near home and I wouldn't need to drive there, but I just can't miss it.
I initially thought I would definitely have sedation, but now I'm worried that I'll be feeling rough later on if I do?
They've obviously said I can have gas and air if not.

I'm not really worried about pain but I realise that it might end up being very painful. I'm also worried about what I might say when I'm sedated (I don't know why I have this but I would be so embarrassed if I started going on about my personal life or something - does it have that effect or not I have no idea?)

What would you do in my situation?

OP posts:

Giggorata · 11/10/2025 10:03

Sedation every time and not drink alcohol or wear heels at the event.

katmunchkin · 11/10/2025 10:05

I didn't have sedation but it wasnt comfortable!

Maria1982 · 11/10/2025 10:06

I had colonoscopy with sedation. I was giggle for about half an hour afterwards (it was great fun actually!). Was absolutely fine two hours later.

i would make sure you allow a few hours in between, have a nap and you should be okay.

Bookblanketteaandsympathy · 11/10/2025 10:06

I have had 2 with just gas and air. The first time was because I was breastfeeding/single parent to 3 dc so couldn't have any sedation, the second i thought i managed last time so I'll manage again.
Honestly the worst bit is the prep which is disgusting and really wiped me out (make sure you stay hydrated). I also found not having sedation meant I could leave hospital quicker and mobilise more (to pass all that air).

Maria1982 · 11/10/2025 10:07

PS mine wasn’t painful but it was uncomfortable, so for me I wouldn’t want to repeat the experience without . But everyone is so different it’s hard to say

Bulbsbulbsbulbs · 11/10/2025 10:10

God yes, sedation. You can't drive in the evening though I seem to remember. Get a taxi.

I certainly didn't say anything odd. Even if I had I'd have sedation every time! Mine wore off at the very end ( a minute or so) and that was bad enough.

BalloonSlayer · 11/10/2025 10:11

I had sedation both times, I was wide awake and it was excruciating. I felt I could have driven home (of course I didn't). I had had sedation for an endoscopy and was totally out of it, got home went to bed and slept so it's not as if sedation doesn't work on me. I would never have colonoscopy without sedation given how bad it was with it.

Throwitawayagain · 11/10/2025 10:12

I had it with gas and air, no sedation.
Do not recommend that!

RoverReturn · 11/10/2025 10:20

Dh had one without sedation and didn't find it a problem. Found the prep for the procedure worse. They did put in a port in his hand for incase sedation became needed.

Greybeardy · 11/10/2025 10:30

is the event one where it wouldn't matter if you were still quite farty and bowel preppy? Not sure I'd be going out until I knew my bowels could be 100% relied upon!

iziwizi · 11/10/2025 11:15

Sedation definitely. As the scope passes the “corners” it can cause a nano second of discomfort/pain. Wear a pad on the journey home just in case…
There will be so much concentration on the procedure and any findings no one will notice or care about anything you inadvertently say.
Sedation can result in no memory of the event - win win, really.

Mydoglovescheese · 11/10/2025 11:19

From past experiences I would definitely opt for sedation for any procedure where it’s offered.

Craftysue · 11/10/2025 11:20

I had one without sedation - just gas and air and it was ok . I did have a cannula in just in case I changed my mind but I coped fine without it

Catwalking · 11/10/2025 11:33

I had gas& air, it wasn’t pleasant, but not as bad as giving birth!
I was told there was a possibility i’d have to stay overnight if i had sedation (blood pressure & anesthesia side effects need watching) & I would NOT be allowed to drive home after (in event of car accident, insurers wouldn’t cover).
Was great to walk away to car park feeling perfectly ‘normal’ 😆.
I hope everything is ok for you with the procedure. 🙂

Tcateh · 11/10/2025 11:56

The prep had me extremely ill and wiped out for a few days. I certainly wouldn't have been able to put the bins out let alone go to an event.

I had sedation but it didn't do anything until 10 mins after so if probably ask for more if I could if I had to do it again.
I probably should have tried gas and air as a couple of bends made me shout out loud.

I didn't because it's made me vomit in the past.

Dutchhouse14 · 11/10/2025 12:51

I had sedation and gas and air.
It was painful/uncomfortable in some parts, the sedation doesn't knock you out it's fairly light touch more a relaxant than pain relief I think.
Someone told me it does depend on your bowel shape, ie is it a smooth run? ! as to how uncomfortable it is.
Everyone says the prep is the worst bit but actually it wasn't as bad as I thought, maybe because I kept hearing how awful it was I thought it was going to be really bad.
The colonoscopy was more uncomfortable than I thought it would be there was definitely a few parts that were ouch! But it was manageable and over in about 20-30 mins, staff were lovely.

BUT it did wipe me out, more so than I thought it would, maybe the restrictive diet, fasting beforehand and the big clear out! Or maybe the sedation or the procedure itself, they removed 6 polyps but either way I wouldn't have really been up for going out in the evening.
I had my procedure at about 1pm, but was booked in at 10.30.

unsync · 11/10/2025 13:22

No sedation, just gas and air. It was fine. Endoscopy however, sedation all the way if I ever need that again.

Vinvertebrate · 11/10/2025 13:25

I have had colonoscopies every year since 2006 (high bowel cancer risk). No fecking way would I have a single one without sedation.

Bowels are on a knife edge afterwards for a bit. I wouldn’t recommend a curry afterwards.

nappysan · 11/10/2025 13:28

Sedation and gas and air. Very uncomfortable 😣

viques · 11/10/2025 13:33

I have had several colonoscopies and chose sedation for all of them, apart from one! That one ended up incomplete as I couldn’t cope with the final “turn”. If there had been anything nasty it would have been missed. Luckily subsequent investigations were all negative. It’s an important diagnostic tool, it needs to be as thorough as it can be.

After effects are fine, a bit of farty wind but nothing else. Told not to drive for 24 hours. I am not sure how I would have felt about socialising but that is dependent on how you feel.

inamo · 11/10/2025 13:34

No problems at all with sedation and I just chugged the prep much quicker than advised. Got it all out quite quickly sorry TMI.

Few after effects, except I didn't really remember what consultant said when I was in recovery, but my DH did so all was well. I do remember being a bit woozy for a few hours when I got home, but continued my day (gently) and didn't go to bed or anything. If it's a morning procedure I'd say you'd be fine that night, but not for driving.

Do not be a martyr or try to prove you are brave or anything. Get The Sedation. I know some don't, but that's usually because they don't have anyone to collect them afterwards. Usually, but there are some out there who like pain it seems. Not me!

JKGalbraithsTable · 11/10/2025 13:42

I had no sedation or gas and air. It was a bit ouchy but no worse than period pain.

I would be more worried about shitting liquid at the event than the sedation after effects.

HotTiredDog · 11/10/2025 13:46

Sedation for the endoscopy cos it’s easier on your mind as well a bit easier on your body (less retching & burping as that is sooo yuk!)
Colonoscopy - either is ok tbh although sedation if you’re a bit squeamish.
Had both with both options, whatever you do it doesn’t last long & the team have seen & heard everything before.
Agree with a nap & definitely agree with no heels or alcohol in the evening - also avoid anything particularly challenging & definitely no driving!
Best wishes for a good medical outcome & a pleasant event afterwards

Thissickbeat · 11/10/2025 13:47

Sedation. Accept that you might not be well enough for the evening event.

The prep made me very ill, almost fainted going into hospital, they had to get me in a wheelchair and into a bed quickly.
I wasn't fit for anything that evening. Just got into pj's and slept. Took it very easy the next day, didn't go out the house which is unheard of for me.

Original poster

User415373 · 11/10/2025 13:54

Thanks so much everyone. Sorry to hear so many of you have had to have one. I really appreciate your experiences as I haven't told anyone except my DH in real life.
The event isn't formal or anything - it's a very casual gathering for a charity (I'm the organiser and chair of the charity) and has been rearranged 3 times already. I would like to just be able to show my face and perhaps stay for a short time. It involves a meal but I can skip that obviously.
It's about 500m from my house. Of course if it got to 7pm and I felt awful then I just wouldn't go.
Is bowel control likely to be a problem after? How soon can you eat and I guess it's best to just have a small amount to start with?

OP posts:

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