Colonoscopy

Hi Mini I had one a couple of years ago. I didn’t like the sound of sedation so went for gas and air. All was fine a little uncomfortable at times but nothing I couldn’t cope with, after a little rest a could drive home. Good luck.

From my own experience and what I have read on GN, people differ in how uncomfortable they find the procedure. Having had 3 now, I found the second one quite painful and gas and air only just adequate and the next time I opted for sedation. Others seem to sail through with no pain relief. If you have sedation you can’t drive afterwards until it has worn off (as you probably know) and need to have someone to take you home afterwards. The staff involved will do everything to make sure you are comfortable.
Best wishes for Thursday MiniMoon 💕

Had loads of colonoscopies and had sedation every time. Was never offered gas and air. The sedation is wonderful. You are blissfully dozy and just don’t care what is being done to you. I wouldn’t mind some this afternoon actually! 😝

I have had one without sedation and a couple with. I would go for sedation.

Thank you all. I have my husband to drive me home, so I think I'll go for sedation over gas and air. I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to hospitals and treatment.

Do go for sedation, I call it "the twilight zone" because it doesn't knock you out, it just puts you in a state where you don't feel anything or remember anything about the procedure the next day, which is perfect.

Another one here who has had sedation. I knew my gag reflex would make it impossible for the camera to go down my throat. Sedation wasn’t needed for the camera going in the ‘other end’!

I had sedation wasn’t given the option of gas and air. Would choose sedation every time.

I had sedation for a colonoscopy. I didn't go to sleep and I thought at the time that I didn't feel any different. However, in hindsight, I realise that the sedation just made me feel relaxed.

I watched the whole procedure on the tv screen. The only pain I had was in the first minute or so when the camera was going around the corner - if you see what I mean. I had ten polyps removed, which was completely painless.

I was in the recovery room for about an hour afterwards but I felt fine.

As many others have said, the preparation (the bowel clearing drinks and effects) was worse than the procedure.

Hope it all goes well for you.

Sedation every time & plenty of buscapan, saying that I was awake & watched the whole thing on the screen by the bed.
Must have conked out later as I woke up to one of the ‘Brookside’ actors in the bed next to me ha.

I had the sedation AND gas and air.

MiniMoon

I wonder if anyone who has had this procedure could give me some advice.
I'm asking about sedation. Would you opt for gas and air, or the sedation that puts you into a sleepy state? I'm going on Thursday afternoon so I'm currently on the low fibre diet.
Thank you.

Good luck I’m in for one next week too. Dreading the prep but I will enjoy looking at the screen.

I had one a few years ago.Gas and air worked fine.

I’ve had 2 this year and several in the past. I’ve done it both ways but I would definitely go with sedation but you can’t drive after it and do need to have someone around. I was absolutely fine after it and it definitely took the edge off the discomfort.

I have this every 3 years due to family history of colon cancer. I always have sedation , never had gas and air.
In my opinion the bowel prep stuff you have to drink the day before is worse than the procedure. The procedure itself is nothing to worry about . Good luck.x

A wise move, far better with sedation, although the pre colonoscope fluid I find the worse part. Good luck

I have had sedation every time. I woke up afterwards feeling fine. After about an hours rest my husband took me home.

Definitely sedation. I speak from bitter experience having once been persuaded I needed neither sedation nor gas and air. You’ll feel nothing with sedation. The clear out is the worst thing!

Oh me too! Mine is this Friday and not my first but I really dread it as my DH will have to drive me quite a distance from home to the clinic. Just hope the ghastly pre-prep does a good job. I wondered about sedation as I have not had it previously. Looking at the comments above, I think I will ask for it this time. Good luck MiniMoon and Dogsmother!

I had sedation, woke up felt fine.

I had one many years ago.
Some form of sedation was inserted into my hand and I felt it didn’t do anything. I felt just as normal.

Unfortunately, the procedure was fairly painful and I was yelping.

I vowed never again.

As others have remarked, the "preparation" is not easy or pleasant! The procedure itself, I found okay with gas and air and was awake enough to see all on the screen. I live alone so I didn't want sedation and could get myself home okay. But honestly, it's not that big a thing. Have sedation if you prefer to be more woozy and out of it.

If you struggle with the bowel prep, or it doesn’t clear you out properly they can offer an ultrasound instead.

Momac55

I have this every 3 years due to family history of colon cancer. I always have sedation , never had gas and air.
In my opinion the bowel prep stuff you have to drink the day before is worse than the procedure. The procedure itself is nothing to worry about . Good luck.x

This exactly describes DH’s experience.