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Colonoscopy, please advise

(67 Posts)
Oldmutton Mon 07-Oct-24 14:26:55

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.

littleflo Tue 08-Oct-24 20:20:46

I have and it was nowhere near as bad as I expected. I got some good advice about the prep as that is the worst part.

5 days before the procedure, move to a very light diet. Soup, fruit, white fish. Avoid fibre, bread and cereals. I know that some patients have to come back for a second op if they have not done enough bowl prep.

Shizam Tue 08-Oct-24 20:23:32

The mild sedation did nothing for me. Found procedure uncomfortable, but I’m a big baby with anything medical. Went home on the bus alone. Felt fine.
Hope it goes well for you.

mokryna Tue 08-Oct-24 21:47:30

I have had two, the last one a couple of months ago, both with GA quick and comfortable but I am in France so there was no choice that I know of.

JdotJ Tue 08-Oct-24 21:51:27

I had a sigmoidoscopy without sedation and was fine, slightly uncomfortable and actually watched it on the monitor.
Felt very pleased with myself as I has been dreading it.

annodomini Tue 08-Oct-24 21:58:59

I've had two gastroscopies without sedation, found them quite comfortable, and was able to drive myself home.However when I had a gastroscopy and a colonoscopy both at the same time, I opted for sedation. I was aware of what they were doing and could hear their comments. The sedation wore off quickly but a friend drove me home.

Chocolatenoodle8 Tue 08-Oct-24 22:30:21

I have had loads of colonoscopies, but just one without sedation. On that one occasion the endoscopist was rough and it hurt. On all other occasions I had sedation; felt nothing and afterwards remembered nothing. Hospital ask for someone to accompany you not in case there’s bad news, but because you’ll feel a little fuzzy for a while.

Mt61 Tue 08-Oct-24 23:34:32

I had that camera put down my throat, gave me horrible banana liquid first to numb my throat & midazolam, woke up to Billy Corkhill ( from brookside) in the next bed asking if “I had the full Monty”, only time I didn’t complain being on a mixed recovery bay 😊

GrauntyHelen Wed 09-Oct-24 03:19:03

I'd definitely go for sedation

charlie2753 Wed 09-Oct-24 08:14:22

1st one without sedition was awful, 2nd one was brilliant with sedation, amazing watching the monitor, what goes on inside and then the doctor trying to remove a fiddly little polyp, seemed like he was playing a computer game, he wasn’t
giving up til he got it 😂 and nice cup of tea after. I could of drove but they recommended someone drive me home.

Lisaangel10 Wed 09-Oct-24 09:35:18

Mt61

I had that camera put down my throat, gave me horrible banana liquid first to numb my throat & midazolam, woke up to Billy Corkhill ( from brookside) in the next bed asking if “I had the full Monty”, only time I didn’t complain being on a mixed recovery bay 😊

That’s an endoscopy. I’ve had both plus a gastroscopy.
The colonoscopy is by far the most comfortable.

Mt61 Wed 09-Oct-24 11:12:02

That’s right, lisangel10 endoscopy.
Apart from the throat spray, I was knocked out, so I didn’t find that to bad.
The rear end camera I found to be so uncomfortable even with fentanyl & gas & air, we are so lucky to have these tests, so I am not grumbling 😊

Oldmutton Wed 09-Oct-24 23:42:31

Thank you, all, for your very helpful comments and advice. Much appreciated!

Milliedog Fri 11-Oct-24 21:19:39

I was given so much sedation, I couldn't tell the medics I was in pain. It really hurt. Apparently I have a very twisty colon. I had back to back labour, but the colonoscopy was worse. If I have it again, I'll ask for lots of pain killer but no sedation.

WelwynWitch3 Fri 25-Oct-24 15:09:31

Had to have screening every three years due to bowl cancer, mother and sister. I just had sedation not too uncomfortable even though I had loop in colon. I was able to watch procedure on screen.

Lydie45 Fri 25-Oct-24 17:19:23

As everyone has said it’s the preparation before that is the worse. The sedation is just to relax you.

They found a large polyp which was too big to remove there and then so I had to go back to have it removed. A follow up this year found another small polyp which they removed and a follow up letter said it was harmless.

WelshPoppy Fri 25-Oct-24 18:08:43

I chose sedation and found the procedure easy with it. I found the prep beforehand the worst part of it.