Colonoscopy, please advise

Yes I have, I was OK to drive afterwards. I have had four colonoscopys and the three I had sedation for were much more comfortable.
The above us my experience only bit others will be different. I wish you well whatever yiu choose.

I had a sigmoidoscopy, which is a partial colonoscopy, without sedation. They offered gas and air but I find that useless anyway. It was uncomfortable but I didn’t find it actually painful and though my husband drove home, I’m sure I would have been fine driving had I needed to.

I have had about 8 of these, have never had bad news thank goodness. There is really nothing to worry about. I have always had sedation and my most recent one I drove home. I was awake all the time, and felt nothing but it’s certainly an Interesting watch on the tv screen.
They do tell you if it looks clear but also they may take a small biopsy which has to be sent off, so bad news would be unlikely to be given because it takes a week or two fir any biopsy to be read,
You are not knocked out with sedation, you can talk walk hear, see, and you are awake, but sedated. If you don’t want that then don’t have it. It’s not obligatory.
I think the worst thing about it is the preparation process beforehand where you need to be very close to a toilet if you get my drift.

They told me I might get bad news. I wondered how they would know so quickly.

Hi yes I had one last year. I was very worried about it, but also worried about the sedation as I’ve never had an operation before, so decided to try without.
Thankfully I was fine, I had 2 small polyps removed, it was very uncomfortable in places but the worst bits were over in a few seconds. They still make you wait for a while after, and the coffee and biscuits were very welcome as I hadn’t had anything eat for 28 hours. My DH drove home but I’d have been fine to drive. Good luck.

i have had 8 over the last 10 years, only once did the sedative work, i found them uncomfortable more than painful, the clear out part is the bit i don't like, be prepared as you don't always get the results on the same day as they may have to send something to be tested.

Thank you for all this helpful advice. I think I will get in touch with them again to double check, I don't think I have got the right message.

I have had several colonoscopies with sedation plus gas and air. If its at an NHS hospital, could the hospital arrange a car service for you (plus the person you would need with you) I wasn't allowed to leave the centre without someone with me and had to have someone with me for 24 hours in case of problems arising.

I can see why you are concerned oldmutton. I am not an expert but have had more than my fair share and in my experience, having had a few biopsies, I don’t see how they would be in a position to have that sort of conversation immediately after the procedure.

If they havnt taken biopsies, they do usually say that all looked ok. All being well you will be ok but if the news isn’t good, you will be able to discuss what treatment you need to deal with it. Good luck 🤞

I’ve had two of these, both with sedation. A little uncomfortable the first time but nothing hideous. The second was done by a student who was closely supervised. I hardly felt a thing. The preparation is definitely the worst but! Don’t leave the house and be very near the loo. The first time OH drove me and waited. The second time the village taxi took me and OH collected me. He can’t manage early mornings. I was told I had polyps which they removed and diverticulitis. I had a letter a couple of weeks later to say all was well. The very worst thing was the ladies waiting room tv being tuned to a dreadful afternoon quiz programme!

DD had hers under full GA, because of a spinal injury. Woke up to tea and biscuits and a pain under her rib cage!

I had it done without sedation. For a second I felt the tube being inserted but after that next to nothing. I felt more discomfort from my rear end which was on fire!

I had 2 polyps removed and a friend took me home after the coffee and biscuits afterwards.

The prep is the worst and I had problems for a couple of days afterwards so did not leave the house.

Oldmutton

I have to have a colonoscopy following screening and I am worried about the whole thing. I don't know whether or not to have anaesthetic. I know I cannot drive myself if I do. I know I need to have someone with me in case I get bad news, but if I don't drive my options are limited as to who I take.
Has anyone had this procedure without anaesthetic?
Thank you.

You don't get an anaesthetic, you have 'sedation'.

I would definitely recommend it if you can find someone who can be with you. They do say you need to have that person with you for 24 hours, but it's generally not necessary, I never do, I just lie about it!

I know of several folk who have done it without though, it is very uncomfortable, but not exactly painful .. good luck!

I had one recently under sedation, slight discomfort. I wasn't allowed to drive myself home.
The prep beforehand is the worse bit.

PS - you are VERY unlikely to get bad news from the endoscopist, they'll leave that to your consultant if there is any, as if they take some biopsies then they have to be sent away.

I have to have mine through my colostomy and through the usual way, so it's always a double whammy! I had sedation AND gas and air last time, that one I couldn't have managed without, but I take a lot of medication anyway so takes a lot to sedate me.

Ref the prep, I couldn't tolerate the first stuff they gave me, I had to drink so much fluid it all came back, about 1.5L of it, so fast I couldn't get out of the way of it! The second lot was different & much easier to take, but didn't quite clear me out fully. They could still see diverticular pouches though, and generally they'll tell you about those as they are doing it and tell you if they take a biopsy. I find it quite fascinating looking at the screen!

I think it's a good idea to have someone with you even if you decide not to have sedation. OH had one last year without sedation, he said it was uncomfortable but I still took him and brought him home fwiw he was told before he left that he was clear. I had one 10 years ago and tbh I did find it very uncomfortable so they gave me some sedation which really helped but OH was there to bring me home. I was also told that nothing bad was found on the day. Good luck I hope it goes well for you.

I have had a few of these & found it uncomfortable with fentanyl & muscle relaxant, I wouldn’t want one without sedation.
Can you not ask friend/ neighbor/ taxi?

I have recently had a colonoscopy to check for cancer and I had gas and air as no one could take me and pick up. The gas and air was amazing much better than sedation and you can drive home.

I have had bad news from an endoscopist who spotted cancer in my oesophagus( a different visit) who put me straight on to the 2 week wait cancer pathway. It was very reassuring that he acted so fast and did not wait for the results to go back and forth.

In the event of you having the misfortune to be involved in a driving accident on the way home from hospital and in the event of the insurance company being informed that you had been advised to not drive, you may then be in some financial difficulty.

I have had 7 in total. The first one was following the bowel screening test, and that lead to surgery x 2.

The colonoscopy is a little uncomfortable, but you can ask for sedation and analgesia. I was given a small dose of Midazolam, some fentanyl and entonox too - this made my mouth very dry. The sedation dose helps reduce anxiety and fear, and makes the procedure more comfortable, and you can watch the camera as it winds it's way along your bowel!

I had a very tortuous bowel, and the camera trying to get along the very windy tube was painful. A lot of air/gas is pushed into your bowel too, but you pass that normally very quickly.
The nurses and staff in the endoscopy suite are key to your comfort, mine were excellent.

I think the worse bit is drinking the prep and the very frequent trips to the loo the day before. This has to be done I'm afraid, otherwise the camera cannot see clearly, no biopsies can be taken and the whole thing has to be repeated!!
I did not mind the prep, the taste was not too bad, just a matter of getting the first litre done as quickly as possible (30 mins or so), then a rest before the second litre. I like water anyway, so no problem drinking that in between, and I like mint tea, so I could enjoy that too - because coffee and tea with milk is not allowed.

If you have sedation, you will need someone to collect you and stay with you afterwards.

I was told I had cancer during/after the colonoscopy. I had specifically said l wanted to know if possible. Greatest shock of my life. Anyway, 17 years on and I'm fine. Best you know asap xxx

I had a colonoscopy a couple of weeks ago, it was a check up from 2 years ago when I had pre cancerous polyps removed.
In my opinion the preparation is worse than the sedation and procedure, I did have a lift home but a lady I sat with didn’t have sedation and she said it was absolutely fine.
The staff at the hospital were lovely and very caring, I was given the all clear on the day and also later with a follow up letter.

I’ve had several with sedation. Nothing at all to worry about. They always tell you at the time if everything looks normal or if you have a polyp or two and they will offer to remove them there and then.

Oldmutton

They told me I might get bad news. I wondered how they would know so quickly.

They know because they’re watching the procedure as it happens. I opted for sedation and no regrets about that. The doctor held my hand and said using my first name, I’m pleased to tell you there is no cancer’. I hope you get the same message. Use a cab if you don’t have anyone to drive you