Colonoscopy Without Sedation

Thanks.  My colonoscopy is scheduled for tomorrow.  I want to do it without sedation.  I've always had trust issues when put under.  There is a water immersion technique that is available but Health Partners does not cover it yet. 

I was advised to have an IV started just in case I changed my mind.  I still refused it. 

Many of my issues stem from the last time I was at the hospital I had requested a laparoscopic hernia operation.  They got their wires crossed and were going to do a standard one...  In a nut shell, they shaved pubic hair when it was totally unnecessary and part of the reason I specified laparoscopic.   I was furious and may be able to forgive but won't put myself in that situation again,  (They showed me a consent form and I informed them that it was not my signature next to the authorization).  I've also heard medical personnel talk about what they've seen while patients were under "conscious sedation;" I'm more private than that even if names are not used.

If I am actually put under, I have woken up during the procedures.  I think trying to tough it out is the best option.  Your post was helpful because it may not be that painful.

The doctor called to tell me how painful I felt the last procedure was - 6 years ago.  I still am going to try it without sedation or a IV hooked up (just in case).  I don't want to chicken out or give them the option.

I respect the opinions of people that want sedation; I've just want my wishes to be respected as well.  I had to call the patient advocate to get my wishes started.  I specified all male staff (same gender), no just in case IV, and no sedation or anesthetic.

Hi all I am a late teenager I had a gastrscopy and a colonoscopy on the same day without sedation. But I did need gas and air for the colonoscopy as I found the first 6 minutes not too bad but the rest felt really painful I had several biopsies taken but I do know I had a biopsy for the duodenum and helicobacter pylori and a colonoscopy alongside many random biopsies. I did seem to have a lot more biopsies for the bowl endoscopy not sure if that what could have been making the pain worse. At one point I wasn't sure if I could keep going as the pain was starting to become unbearable halfway through. The last roughly 8 minutes at the end of the procedure when no biopsies were taken I didn't feel much pain at all and the nurse kept speaking to me which really helped. The gas and air was horrible and gave me cramp in my right hand I felt like I was nearly passing out all time and couldn't stop sweating I felt so dizzy. I was surprised I was experiencing so much pain as I generally have a high pain tolerance due to being an ex gymnast I was used to having to deal with pain in strange positions for a long time and due to my lower back injury I've experienced lots of pain over these couple of years although now I would like to say I'm fully recovered there are still times were my back goes really stiff and I can't really move without pain. However my period was due on that day therefore i' m not sure if that could have been making the pain worse? Has anyone else experienced what I have mentioned? Is it possible I could actually have problems with my bowls since I was experiencing a lot of pain? I did hear someone mention something about twisted and colon however I was still passing out so I can't be certain, I was actually in quite a lot of pain at that point which was when the colonoscopy biopsy was getting taken. I highly recommend to work on your breathing through your nose before the procedure for the gastrscopy as it really helps calm you down and feel relaxed I hope this helps.

I had the colonoscopy without sedation and didn't like it.  I had colonoscopy without propofol but with fentanyl 10 years ago and this time I had it without it and definitely felt the pressure/pain.  I was able to watch on the monitor and it wasn't a big deal so I insistent that I didn't have any anesthesia at all this time.  The GI and I were talking while he was conducting the colonoscopy and noticed that I stopped twice.  It wasn't the worst pain in the world but I definitely didn't felt pain.  The GI did something weird when I got to those moments.  He told the nurse to come and help hold my colon area, which helped.  If I had to do it again, I probably just stick with the pain medication like I did last night and go without the anti-anxiety and sedation.

I had a few typos in my past post, so I decided to re-post to avoid confusing anyone.

I had the colonoscopy without sedation and didn't like it.  I had two colonoscopies in my life.  Ten years ago, I had colonoscopy without propofol (sedation) but with pain medication and today, I had it without either and definitely felt the pressure/pain.  Last time, I was awake and able to watch on the monitor and it wasn't a big deal, so this time, I insisted that I not have any anesthesia with the procedure.  Without the pain medicine this time, I definitely felt pressure/pain--kind of a cramp feeling---twice.  If I had to describe those two moments, I would say it definitely felt like bad cramps.  The GI did something weird when I got to those moments.  He told the nurse to come and help hold my colon area.  I don't remember exactly what he told her but she seemed to know what he was talking about and came and put her hands on my abdominal area, kind of trying to massage the colonoscopy in a certain direction.  It definitely helped.  For those thinking of braving it, I would say the pressure/pain only affected me twice and lasted less than two minutes total.  That said, if I had to do it again, I'm not against pain medication just sedation and would probably ask for pain medication next time.  If the option were pain medication with sedation or nothing at all, then I would go choose to go with nothing at all.

Had my second colonoscopy today, last one was 5 yrs ago when they removed a small polyp. Nothing found except two small diverticular pockets high up so no worries. Did not have any sedation 5 years ago and did not have any this time. Was offered gas/air this time which was not available last time but did not use it. Couple of painful crampy times as the consultant went around the bends but I thought by the time the gas/air would take effect it would be over so didn't bother. I think it was less painful this time, maybe better equipment, the display was more informative with a 3d map of where the end of the probe was to allow the operator to be certain they had got to the caecum I guess. In depth conversation throughout with the consultant and could see any issues for myself which is the huge benefit of no sedation (apart from recovery).

Would 100% go for it without any sedation again, had tea then left 10 mins after end of procedure with no after effects.

Co-incidentally my wife had a colonoscopy yesterday, had some gas/air but no sedation. She said it was similar to childbirth contractions as the tube went round bends but again she would do it that way again.

Both of us fortunately had no issues so clearly inflammation etc. could make it different. The consultant also mentioned that some physiological differences could make it tougher like post hyterectomy causing a more difficult navigation up the colon.

As long as you are prepared for it to be a bit crampy and don't have other issues I would say try no sedation. They fit a cannula anyway in case of emergencies so you can always stop them and get it during the procedure and now there is gas/air available you could use that to help in some way I guess.

Happy to hear that it went fine with that procedure.  Next time a doctor reminds me to have such a barbaric test, I will suggest that you can have it since you seemed to enjoy them.

So a second uninformative and unhelpful comment now posted correctly, guess poster eventually worked out how to use a forum but not that the idea is to help people with information rather than post useless text.

 Good luck finding a Gastroenterologist  in the United States who will do it without sedation. Impossible! And they tell me that they’re not doing sigmoidoscopies any more. It sucks. 

I completed my colonoscopy this morning without sedation. I waited in the pre-op area for about an hour and fifteen minutes while medical staff prepped, as I was their first patient today. They were very kind and answered any questions I had. They inserted an IV into my arm in case there was a need to make use of it during the procedure, but it was never needed. As she was about to begin the procedure, my doctor said she would walk me through the entire process. She explained there could be trouble spots where they have to push the scope around corners and through areas with muscle. She advised me I had the option to stop the procedure at any time if it became too unbearable. I told her I was ready. She ensured the scope was well lubricated, so initial insertion was not difficult. She paused to let me feel the air pressure building, and explained the pressure would increase the longer the procedure continued. I told her I was not in any pain, so she continued. About 1/3 of the way through, I felt a severe cramp. My doctor explained that she was at a turn in my colon and that the tubing attached to the scope can get a little twisted in the turns. She paused immediately upon my request and, within a few moments, the cramping stopped. Between that point and the end of my colon, there was only one other point that became uncomfortable, but not painful. My doctor explained that muscle wasn't allowing the scope through, so a nurse applied manual pressure to the outside of my lower abdomen with her hand. It was comforting and it must have relaxed those muscles because my doctor made it quickly to the end of my colon. The reverse process actually took a little bit longer as all of the surface area and each wrinkle or crevice was inspected. I watched the entire procedure on the color monitor and found it fascinating. There were no polyps discovered and no specimens collected. My doctor explained I have diverticulosis in my sigmoid colon. She said it was not severe and may have been a result of eating too little fiber as a child. She told me that as long as I continue to eat foods with fiber on a regular basis, I shouldn't have any problems. Overall, my colonoscopy results were determined to be normal and it only took about 30 minutes from start to finish. For me, the procedure was not painful except for the single cramping incident I previously described. Since I was not sedated, the IV was removed, I was allowed to dress, I was given my results in writing along with discharge instructions, and I walked out to my truck and left. About an hour after leaving, most of the air in my colon was gone and I didn't feel any more pressure. I have been able to proceed with my day as usual. I think the entire day yesterday (and into early this morning for the second dose) drinking the Colyte prep and using the restroom was far more distasteful and uncomfortable than the actual colonoscopy. While the Colyte has a slight lemon flavor and didn't taste all that bad in the beginning, every subsequent 8 oz. cup I drank made me more nauseous. I only felt hunger pangs early in the day yesterday, but they quickly evaporated. Even now, 5 hours after my colonoscopy was completed, I still have no appetite. My discharge instructions recommended sips of water at first, which I did without issue. When I eventually do feel hungry, I'm to slowly reintroduce foods while avoiding too much fiber for today. I haven't suffered any ill effects from the procedure which, since it was normal, I don't have to repeat for 7 more years. With a family history of colon cancer, I can't describe the relief I feel and the peace of mind this procedure has given me. As for completing the colonoscopy without sedation, it was certainly successful for me and I will opt for no sedation the next time, too. That said, I believe we're all unique and people tolerate levels of pain/discomfort at different levels. I heal from injuries quickly and seldom feel pain at a severe level. I was in a dangerous line of work for over two decades. I have been struck with punches, broken bones, and sustained a back injury after being picked up in the air and thrown flat on my back without ever shedding a tear. I'm not sharing this to bragg, but to explain that I have a high pain tolerance. Knowing that made me certain I could handle today's colonoscopy without sedation. For those who do not have a high pain terance, there's no shame in finding a ride and asking for sedation. Better safe than sorry. If I had not completed the procedure today, I would have been required to reschedule and go back through another day [and early the next morning] drinking the Colyte and completing the prep. No thank you.

I didn’t have sedation either as I am terrified of canulas , I also wasn’t eligible because the moviprep made me vomit , I have to say I found it very very painful as the air was pumped , just a horrible experience but luckily I lasted and was able to look at all of the colon thank god 

you are so brave! I'd rather be knocked out. I don't want to remember my procedure haha

First one I had done I watched on TV, I found out after the fact that I could have been knocked out. Ever since I have chose to be put to sleep for it!

I also had gas and air no sedation because if I had opted for sedation I would have had to have someone at home with me overnight, I live on my own so they wouldn't do it with sedation. If I had the choice I would have gone with sedation because I had no idea how painful it would be. But now I am glad I had the gas and air was not painful maybe a little uncomfortable in places but I found it fascinating watching the procedure on the screen, they were very nice and removed 3 polyps, the worst part was actually drinking the prep and not being able to get off the toilet! If I have to go again taking the prep beforehand is the thing I dread more than the actual colonoscopy, I hope that puts others dreading it at ease about it

Since this thread started 4+ years ago things have changed somewhat.. More people are getting Capsule Endos.. No sedation needed, just swallow a pill.

Capsule endoscopy is a procedure that uses a tiny wireless camera to take pictures of your digestive tract. ... As the capsule travels through your digestive tract, the camera takes thousands of pictures that are transmitted to a recorder you wear on a belt around your waist.

Others are getting bowel MRI's instead of Colonoscopies! It's always best to ask if there are new less invasive options as no-one likes colonoscopies do they.