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Endoscopy and or Colonoscopy without sedation

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Ringodyle
Ringodyle

Endoscopy and Colonoscopy without Sedation

Today I have had an Endoscopy and Colonoscopy with no sedation. I was very nervous about the procedure and I am sure other people will feel the same so I will share my experience.

Bowel preparation. Klean-Prep

This was not nice but not terrible, mine tasted of vanilla with salt and I had to drink four litres over 6 hours. My only difficulty was forcing it down but a mouthful of water as soon as the glass was finished made it bearable. Now, the business end. In less than an hour it started working.  I had no desperate rush to go but definitely knew it was time to get in the loo. For me I had a movement approximately the same time apart as the time between taking it. So. I drank my litre spaced over 15 minute intervals, after about an hour I needed to go approximately every 15 mins. The actual going was strange but not unpleasant and for me by the second litre all I passed was clear water. It was so simple I found it was about as quick as having a wee and no more distressing. By litre 4 my backside was getting a little sore but good old Vaseline saved the day there. Unpleasantness scale 1 out of ten.

Endoscopy

i was taken into the room with 4 staff. I was given the throat spray that tasted horrible. Instantly I could feel nothing in my throat but had a sensation of something was stuck. After a few deep breaths I soon realised that I could breathe and all was normal. The mouth guard was put in and the staff explained every step.The endoscope was put in up to the back of my tongue and I was asked to swallow. I gagged a couple of times but that soon settled. Breathing is key here, in through the nose count 123 and out through the mouth count 123. I could feel the endoscope but there was no pain. Air was pumped in and that was uncomfortable but not painful 4 minutes later the endoscope was removed and I gagged a few times again. No pain at all but unpleasant. Remember that as the stomach was empty I could not actually be sick and as soon as the endoscope was removed I felt fine. Unpleasantness scale 5 out of ten. Pain 1 out of ten

Colonoscopy

After the endoscopy the table turned round ready for the other end. I was asked to lay on my left side and the gown lifted exposing my bare backside. Yep it was embarrassing but the staff were so professional and quickly put me at ease. The procedure was explained and I was given a gas and air (Entonox) to use if I needed. Then in the colonoscopy went in. Strange sensation but did not hurt. As the scope went in it has to negotiate some bends and it at these points it hurt a bit. From no pain at all to a moderate discomfort but the gas and air soon go to work so after about 10 seconds it eased back, as soon as the bend was cleared the pain disappeared. The continued like this all the way up and each bend gave the same issue, not nice but certainly not end of the world either. Several biopsies were taken and I was vaguely aware of them but they did not hurt. 

The air that is pumped in does cause discomfort and made feel sick, however, the consultant removed some of the air and I felt fine again. Finally just before the colonoscopy came out the camera was bent round so it could look back out, imagine the top of a walking stick! Anyhow that hurt a little but was over in about 5 seconds. Then it was done the whole thing taking about 45 mins and the discomfort in total lasting less than 2 minutes.

As I had no sedation I was allowed to leave as soon as the throat spray had worn off.

Now here is one really important tip. Remember that you are full of air and what goes in must come out. For me it I felt totally inflated and very uncomfortable like I had eaten a huge meal. As I was leaving the hospital it started moving out, please excuse the slang but it is farting like I have never known. This is embarrassing in a public place but the relief is marvellous. This continued for me for about 3 hours.

overall the experience was unpleasant and not something I enjoyed but it certainly was not the stuff of nightmare. I have read all the horror stories but my experience simply was not that bad.

So if you are considering these procedures with no sedation, I hope my experience is of some comfort to you. If it helps if I need to do it again I would not hesitate to have no sedation again. The only lasting effect is a sore throat and stingy backside. All the best to anyone who needs the procedure, try not to worry.

 

1 like, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • ooops64
    ooops64 Ringodyle

    Posted

    Well done, I had the Endoscopy without sedation. But having other end, I am presuming at the same appointment. Well done you. It is nice walking out and, you feel you have spared the hospital a bed, and laundry. 

    Regards Maureen 

  • Uneektokka
    Uneektokka Ringodyle

    Posted

    I'm a 30 year old male and chose to do a colonoscopy today without sedation.  I was pretty blessed because the anesthesist was very supportive and said she completely agreed with me with my choice.  She talked me throughout the whole process and helped set my mind at ease. Only issues is the cramping (briefly).  The experience was pretty simple.  Dont understand why sedation is so pressed upon the patients.  Definitely not worth the side effects if you dont need it. 
  • ooops64
    ooops64 Ringodyle

    Posted

    Well it's nice to feel you can walk out, and not have to up wake feeling groggy. As you say you've spared them, the need for a bed and bedding. Well done and hope all goes well.

    Maureen

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