Colonoscopy Without Sedation

Hi All.  I just had my colonoscopy sans sedation today and would like to add my $0.02.  I'm 56 and my first one.  I thought it would be prudent, and under my current Obabacare plan it was free except for a $10 co-pay.

I think it's important to relate that there are 3 kinds of tech that I've seen on the web and YouTube re the procedure.  The old fashion kind uses plain air to inflate the colon so that the Dr can see.  This is potentially the most painful.  Another kind uses all warm water to inflate and is supposed to be much more comfortable.   Another kind uses CO2 to inflate, but I think the only benefit of that is because CO2 dissapates in the gut faster than air, so there isn't lot of post-procedure gas to endure. (See below.)

I had the first kind, with air.   Like others have posted the pain was like that of bad gas,  certainly uncomfortable, but not a show stopper, say 3 or 4 on the pain scale.  HOWEVER there were split seconds  (I think when going around the flexures) where the pain spiked to about an 8.  That happened about twice.   He made it to the ileium (sp?), the opening of the appendix, in about 4 or 5 minutes then he took his time inspecting on the way out, and took say about 12 to 15 minutes.   The pain was diffuse and hard for me to locate.  I couldn't really tell where he was, not even the ascending colon vs descending colon which is clear on the other side.  Had he not found one tiny polyp  (and I couldn't belive he caught it because it blended so well with its surroundings) and snared it out, the return trip probably would have taken only 10 minutes.

The anesthesiologist looked thoroughly disgusted throughout.  They made him sit there and "monitor" for some reason.  I was told that if I tapped out they would abort the procedure.  In other words, there was not an option for standby anesthesia.

Anyway I made it all the way thru and my colon was deemed healthy.  The pain of the gas left in my gut was pretty unconfortable for at least the first two hours after the procedure, pretty much the same as the procedure itself (except for the spikes I mentioned).  As soon as I got home I just took a knap on my stomach (a practice I remember using since I was little) and the gas went away.

Lastly I think this whole whining about the prep is overdone.  My prep, unflavored PEG 3350, tasted just like cold saltly water.  OK, maybe it seemed a tiny more viscous than plain water, which I guess adds to the gross factor, but it's not particularly vile.   The others on YouTube really ham it up.  Certainly you don't sit there and savor the taste, you gulp it as quick as you can and get it down and over.  It's a quite powerful laxitive, and the rocket engineer in me was wondering how much thrust I was developing while on the pot.

Will I forego sedation on my next one?  Yes.  I just don't like depending on people to drive me around.  But hopefully by then more doctors will adopt the water inflation method.

I signed up in order to be able to participate in this conversation about sedation and colonoscopy. I have had five colonoscopies and have opted to forgo sedation each time. I would never have thought to do so but my mother had done so before me so I thought I would give it a try. The expectation is that it is going to be unbearably painful but I haven;t had that experience. There are a few very brief moments when you have to breathe deeply and maybe clutch the side of the bed but truly very short lived. I love watching the exploration of the doctor's probe and the brilliant technology that allows the doctor to remove polyps and quite possibly save my life. But more than anything else I love getting up off the table after spending ten hours preparing for the invasion and 30 minutes sometimes uncomfortable seconds ready

to go find a coffee, a sandwich and on to the rest of my day..

Next week I will have a scope. Not the first time, but have said I would prefer not to be sedated. Why ? I asked for 'gas' the first time.  Although there were a few painful moments, especially turning corners, it was not an unbearable pain. In fact, because of the laughing gas aspect, all of us had a massive laugh. Including all the under-grads who I happily assented to watching the process. 

Dear May5,

I agree with you, a colonoscopy is not a big deal. I had one last year and only had a shot of pethidine in a drip which did not seem to do anything.

I did watch the procedure on the little TV by the bed. I had no discomfort at all except when they removed the colonoscope, they touched a patch which made me jump. It appears I have peripheral neuropathy and one of the sensitive areas happens to be in my colon. When I told my GP about this, he listened with interest as if this was completely new to him. It scares the daylights out of me.

I would say to anyone going for a colonoscopy, don't get too worried about it, it's not a big deal and you will find the nurses absolutely marvellous. They are not going to hurt you, just do what they say and you will be fine. I was.

I hope you have a lovely Christmas May5

Best regards

bobcrachet

Hi my name is manny just wondering where you got your colonoscopy done with out sedation or anesthesia I'm trying to get mine but no doctor would do it with anesthesia or sedation.

I live in the United States where colonoscopy with sedation is the norm. Because I was getting ready to schedule my second colonoscopy and did not like being sedated or the inconvenience of having to bring someone with you to the doctor's office whenever you're going to be sedated, I went online to find out if a colonoscopy without sedation were possible. Not only is it possible, it is most often performed without sedation in the EU, I read. In the US, it is difficult to find a doctor who'll do it without sedation, but I did on my second try. My doctor was wonderful about it, but the nurses treated me as if I were half out of my mind. I had to remind them several times "No sedation". The nurse anesthetist asked me why I didn't want to be sedated and I replied "why should I?". Everything went well. There were 4 moments of "discomfort" when he had to pump lots of air in order to see the colon lining more clearly (at the two turns and at the end and beginning of the colon). It was very uncomfortable, but lasted only a few seconds each time. There were two polyps that were snipped painlessly. I left about 15 minutes after it was done. It was wonderful being able to drive myself home and carry on with my day. No 12+ hours of grogginess this time. I plan to do the next one without sedation.

I am due to have my first colonoscopy next week.  As I have noone to collect me and stay with me I have been told I cannot have sedation - even with a taxi to take me home.  I am not expecting anything significant to be found e.g. Crohns or colitis but reading the various comments on here, I am now pretty concerned that without the option of sedation it could be pretty horrible and painful.  I am quite tempted to fib and tell them I have someone at home but I really don't understand the risks of being alone after the sedation.