Scope wout sedation on Friday-feedback please

Hi guys--I have my colonoscopy on Friday. I am doing it awake-I do not want meds as I do not like medication and also I want to be productive after. Has anyone on this board done the scope awake? Is it awful? I did an endoscopy last yr awake and it was just very uncomfortable, however, it was only 5 minutes and I hear a colonoscopy is about 15?

 

I would never do a colonoscopy without any sedation. You won't be able to completely relax enough, and it will be painful. You could also get hurt. If you are not relaxed enough and jump or startle at some point during the procedure, you could be injured. I would seriously give this some consideration.

Actually, I have to wonder if the Dr. would even allow you to go completely without sedation due to the safety issue.

I do, however, understand your not wanting to be completely sedated. I hate it, too. I prefer to stay awake as well and just always go with the mild sedative. You are definitely alert and can pay attention to the monitor, etc., but you are very, very relaxed. You might think about going that direction.

I had a sigmoidoscopy done about 10 years ago with no sedation whatsoever.  It hurt so bad I was crying, and that was only a sigmoid not a colon.  I vowed never to have another one without some sort of sedation.  If they mildly sedate you, you will be sleepy for about an hour or so, not all day.  Maybe you could try that.  Gook luck Friday!

No way no how would I do that without sedation. I get them yearly and they aren't bad WHEN YOU ARE ASLEEP! The worst is the prep. I also have had sigmoid's done and will never do that again without being put to sleep. Good luck.

Stacy

The sigmoid is part of the colon. Look at a diagram online when you get a chance - it will show what all the different parts of the colon is called. A sigmoidoscopy only goes to the sigmoid and that can be done without sedation. It's not pleasant though. A colonoscopy goes thru the entire length of the colon - all 7(?) feet of it. There are a few bends in the colon that when the scope goes thru that it can be extremely painful. I've never had an endoscope but I hear that is easier of the two. Please reconsider some form of sedation.

Hi King! A bunch of people on the crohns board get scoped without sedation. Not me. But you can post over there for some advice. Specifically look for Crohnietoo and someone named Mike. Both are veterans of the no sedation scope.

My first colonoscopy, last year when I was 30, was the first time I was "put under" for any procedure. I had always been TERRIFIED of being sedated -- I hate not being in control. And on top of that I was psyching myself out by reading these "disaster stories" on the internet.

But in all reality, you're just as safe in the hands of your anasthesiologist and or gastroenterologist as you are getting driven in the passenger seat of a car or flying on an airplane.

Also...the demerol/versed combination felt AMAZING -- if you have an opportunity to get some demerol, take it!

In any case, I strongly suggest the sedation -- it will help your doctor perform the procedure with more ease, it will comfort you during the procedure, and it will keep you from fearing future colonoscopies. If you're going to be afraid of anything, be afraid of the prep -- the prep is brutal (a tip: keep your fridge colder than normal and make sure the solution is as cold as you can get it).

Also, I was able to function pretty well after my colonoscopy in about 4 hours.

Hi King!  With all the colonoscopies that I have had, I was always able to watch the screen and ask questions throughout the whole procedure.  I was given a sedative so I was relaxed and didn't feel anything but was never out cold.  I hate being knocked out but I would never have a colonoscopy without some sedative.  Sigmoidoscopies though I have never been given anything and I've had too many of those and they were very uncomfortable especially when they go around the bends. 

"demerol/versed combination felt AMAZING" - I have to agree with that one.  I am 68 and VERY sensitive to medications.  This combination put me out (which is fine with me) but nurse said I would be responsive, etc. but the versed causes you not to remember anything.  I felt fine when I woke up and 45 drive home - hungry when I got home, ate some light dinner and a nap and was fine.

ElaineNY 

Wow.....I had a sigmoid about 8 years ago with a mild sedative in an IV....they could not complete it - had to keep stopping - the cramping and pain was too much for me. They made a BIG note on my chart - next time Colonoscopy with full sedation. I have had the colonoscopy with full sedation and that is definitely the way to go for me. I am a bit surprised a doctor would agree to no kind of sedation - I'd be concerned if I made a sudden jerky move to cause the scope to cause some harm????

Hubby feels the same way - and he has to have them more often. He has a very high tolerance for pain and I am more of a baby but he embraced the idea of not putting himself in any unnecessary pain as he had sigmoids with mild sedation as well.

Following a day of prep and everything that goes with it as someone mentioned above I wouldn't even want to consider the procedure without being in la la land. Granted you cannot drive there alone or leave alone regardless of what type of sedation you have so why put yourself through any more discomfort than needed is my opinion.

The anesthesia given where we go always seems to be just the right amount and we wake quickly after the procedure and have never felt overly medicated. Afterwards, just have to go home and relax and take it easy and eat conservatively that first day.

Happy to see you are re-considering. (Not trying to preach - just concerned for you)

As much as it is everyone's choice, do you really need to function after a colonoscopy? Give yourself a day of rest, a sick day!

During one of my c-scopes they didn't give me enough sedation, and it hurt terribly when they started pumping air into my colon. Granted, I was flaring really bad at the time, but I'd never do one without meds. I normally have a really high pain tolerance (I walked around once for two months on a broken leg), but I just about came straight up off the table.

No, I don't go to that GI any more.

i did it once and it was very very uncomfortable. before the procedure i told asked the anesthesiast to prep a knockout dose for me if it got too bad and i did wimp out. having pipes pushed around your insides is pretty bad but when u add being pumped up full of air then u have to ask Is it worth it.

i wanted to stay conscious cos i was curious to see what was going on.