Colonoscopy, please advise

I have had several colonoscopies and wouldn't dream of doing it without the sedative.

Hi I’ve just had two Colonoscopy’s .
The first one had to be stopped after ten minutes due to adhesions from two previous surgery’s .
First one was due to Caesarian section. And second Hysterectomy,
The second was a colonoscopy scan.
The first one l asked for the
Entonox (gas &air)
The second for the scan they just injected a dye to show any polyps ,
I didn’t feel anything .
Try not to worry , they don’t tell you anything as the results have to go to the consultant to check.
They removed two polyps from mine and sent them to the lab,
I waited an anxious three weeks for results thank goodness they were clear,
The only thing l will say the laxative drink you have to take the day before isn’t very nice tasting .
Hope all goes well for you.
Take care 🤗

I am the biggest wuss ever but I had one without sedation and it was fine! the tube going round your bowel gives you the sensation of having a wriggly worm going round but no pain whatsoever. They found a polyp in mine and I watched on screen it being removed but did not feel a thing! If its a polyp they won't be able to tell you 100% that its not cancerous until its been sent off to the lab, but the consultant who did mine told me then and there that he didn't think it was cancerous at all. I think if I were to have bad news I would also prefer not to be sedated so I could completely understand what was being said to me after?

You can decide on the day. I was sedated but it knocked me out.I had a sore hip after this and always wondered whether they manhandled me on the table.

It is sometimes very obvious there is cancer present and l was told.

Quite agree about the horrible drink on the day before - the actual procedure was OK and I found it interesting!! I had Fentanyl sedation as I had an endoscopy first ( much worse than a colonoscopy- being told to swallow a tube as if it was the easiest thing in the world) so probably still had effects of Fentanyl in my system - you’ll be fine - all the best x

Replying to Oldmutton: I had a colonoscopy last year The worst part was the medicines that emptied everything from my intestines beforehand, so expect to be up all night- I was sick and galloping to the loo all the time. The actual colonoscopy was done without any kind of anaesthetic - it didn't hurt, and I found it really interesting watching the device go around my inside. Hope you are OK, and have a good night's sleep afterwards!

Just a thought re driving yourself home.
It sounds as though you might be able to do so, but I wonder if you have any charitable organization in your area that transports people to and from hospital appointments when needed.

I live in Berkshire, and have been very grateful for an organization which consists of volunteer drivers who have taken me to and from many eye clinic appointments, and I Ihave been happy to pay towards the petrol.
( To be honest its only in the past few years I have used them. Before that, I used to drive myself, have drops administered before examination etc then sit in the hospital cafe for half an hour afterwards , until one time I got found out, and knew that I would be questioned each time I had an appointment after that !

I would definitely have sedation. It depends on the person who is performing the op I think. But you come around virtually immediately. I had Colonoscop under sedation was told directly afterwards they had found cancer. Please dont worry as the op is no problem just relax and let them do their stuff. As you see from the responses to your posting we all have had differing experiences.
Best wishes hope it goes well

Yes I have,I had gas and air....not easy but I defo did not want the anesthetic as I hate cannula's. I am the biggest woose but managed....staff were brilliant. No discomfort afterwards. My daughter dropped me off and picked me up but I would have been fine to drive. To me the bowel prep is worse..Been through it twice both no anesthetic because they found a polyp, had to go back and get it removed. They normally would do it at the time but because of my other medical issues they couldn't. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I had one, supposedly under sedation…It wasn’t though as I felt everything and told them to get it out.

My first colonoscopy was without sedation and was fine, just a little uncomfortable. the last one I had was with sedation but still had to have gas and air because the pain was so intense I kept waking up. I think my intestines are so shot now that the slightest thing is very painful.

I've had several and managed with gas and air each time. The prep is the worst part in my experience. I settle in, enjoy the gas and air and kinda disassociate from what's going on 'back there'.

N4nna

I had one, supposedly under sedation…It wasn’t though as I felt everything and told them to get it out.

I don’t know what they use now…I had one a couple of decades ago…I was given something that was supposed to help with the ‘discomfort’. It was uncomfortable having the tube inserted but I drifted off after that, but woke up fully alert and in pain as they dragged the tube through…apart from childbirth it was the most excruciating pain…at the point I woke they swivelled the tv screen round and insisted I watch! I swore never again …or if essential I would insist on double sedation! I remember the ‘emptying out’ part less vividly as I have suffered from IBS /
Diarrhoea all my life and was used to it…tho what I took sounds milder than what others describe? Good luck…take the sedation and have some transport home. If nothing else you are likely to be shakey with relief!

I had one ladt week ...I didnt have the sedation ( midazolam).....but used the gas and Air the whole way thru .....at one point I felt a bit of pain so the put some buscopan into my cannula ( to stop the bowel spasming) ...I was fine after that .....the midazalam can affect you for up to 24 hrs the nurse said ......they told me they had only seen piles ....then when they took me to recovery for a cup of tea....a nurse brought my report which had just been typed up....biopsies taken which is routine ... .no areas of concern noted .....the staff were lovely and it was a very slick process
Hope it goes well 🍀

I too had a relative who was told of cancer at the time of endoscopy (I was accompanying him). This is rare though, it's more often a biopsy and a wait to find out if the polyp's benign or in many cases, there's nothing to see & you're told that. And my relative was successfully treated, had no chemo & the cancer never recurred despite being obvious at endoscopy.

I had this procedure earlier this year, I don't mind saying I was very worried abd opted for the anesthetic. As soon as it was underway I wondered why I'd been so concerned. It was a breeze and would happily do without the anesthetic if I had it again in the future.
The anesthetic is a cocktail of drugs, given once you are in position on the table, you aren't knocked out, but I understand your body is relaxed. I watched it all......fascinating!
Taking a friend or having one meet you after the event is a good idea, that way you'll have less to worry about. Good luck.

I’ve had six colonoscopies all with sedation. My husband has had three, without and he said he found mildly uncomfortable but nothing that he couldn’t cope with. I didn’t really feel sedated but was completely pain free and calm about the whole procedure. Unfortunately, immediately after the first one I was told they had found something and I would need a CT scan to check for any spread which was scary. However, eight years later I’m cancer free. Good luck with your procedure.

A coincidence to read your thread, Oldmutton, I'm having a relaxing day after having a colonoscopy yesterday afternoon.
(3 weeks ago I had what is called a 'CT Colonoscopy virtual', after 2 days on a 'low residue diet' & the prep the day before, I went to the CT dept., at our local hospital at 8am, I was able to drive home at 11am.).
Yesterday, after 5 days on the 'low residue diet', the prep on Sunday evening & again at 6am yesterday.
I had my appointment at 3pm. The staff were kind & understanding of my worries.
For the procedure I had the sedation & the gas & air, I was fully awake & aware & could see the screen most of the time. Uncomfortable & slightly painful, but bearable.
They removed 2 polyps, also confirmed my (suspected) diverticular disease, they told me there was no visible signs of cancer, (which is why I'd had fairly swift appointments). This they will be able to be sure in a few weeks & let me know. I had already been told that I couldn't drive home, or for the next 24 hours. I was home about 6:30pm.

Last night I slept for 7-8 hours, (unheard of for me!).
I don't know what happened with the sedation, I feel more sleepy today than I did yesterday.!!

Sorry if this is long & garbled!

In short, the prep is worse than the procedure itself, trust the medical staff, tell them if you are anxious. Easy to say, but try not to worry about the 'what ifs'.

I had one recently with sedation, and I don't actually recall any of it past the first few minutes where they were pumping air in, which was quite uncomfortable. I got a list there and then of what they'd seen; luckily nothing serious, but I think they would tell you if they thought it was. Yes, they sent a polyp off for biopsy.
I was told not to drive for 24 hours, and could not be left alone for 12 hours. I would certainly not have had it without sedation, although you don't need a full anaesthetic.
But I'm surprised some people have driven, they particularly checked that someone was with me Could you not take a friend with you? My neighbours all help each other out if necessary, no one minds being asked. Or Age Concern/Red Cross may be able to help. If you are upset you shouldn't drive either.

I did a stool sample thingy in France and the results came back. Doc said I have to have a colonoscopy. I have been terribly upset too, about a possible awful outcome. Cried buckets...

They gave me a light anaesthetic here, thank goodness.

Took my prep last night and this morning (cool it in the fridge, sip it with a straw) I had 500ml to drink. So I spread it over an hour, a quarter of the stuff every 15 minutes or so. I treated myself to sucking on a yellow jelly baby after each time but the prep stuff i had wasn't too bad. Then I had to drink a litre of water after that, over the next hour. I had 250 mls every 15 minutes. Whew! It took me 3 hours to watch a 1.5 hour long film last night .

I was very nervous but hubby helped keep me sane. Just discharged now. All OK with 2 small polyps removed but nothing suspicious.

Good luck!

I had the sedation and barely remember anything about the procedure. When I was completely alert I was given coffee and a sandwich and not permitted to leave the dept.until.my daughter came to collect me. The worst part was the rather gloopy prep, supposedly lemon flavoured, best drunk through a straw. I was advised by a friend, who has had several colonoscopies, to drink Bovril in between doses to get rid of the taste--worked ok

Just on the subject of transport to hospital etc., I have used the organisation called Good Neighbours which operates all over the country. The volunteer driver charges £4 plus £1.80 for one hour parking. GP surgery in town centre has no parking of its own.

This question has come up just at the right time, I'm due a colonoscopy some time soon and whilst I'm not scared, I am a bit vervous so thanks for all comments, i feel a bit better now.

Old mutton, who told you it might be bad news? That sounds rather unlikely if it was your GP. They can't possibly know the outcome before the procedure is performed. Nobody can.

I had a colonoscopy in August. I was all set to have sedation but at the last minute decided against it. There were a few times I felt very, very slightly uncomfortable (think really mild period pain) but otherwise it was way better than I expected. The stuff you have to drink beforehand isn't very nice though.