partial C-scopy w/o anethesia?

I'd assume that Sigmoidoscopies are done without anesthesia. Dr. did a 40 cm. partial Colonoscopy today without any. It was mildly uncomfortable until 25 cm. 30 -40 cm was unbearable. For my one and only full C-scope procedure, he gave me Valium in the arm maybe w/ Demerol. It didn't mitigate the pain, though it put me in a slight fog. I think he skimped on the amount... He said, in the 80's, they'd do a 60 cm w/o anethesia. He got his license in the late 60'w-70'w (he's older). He said, today's young dr.'s ake a full clonoscopy w/ anethesia for the smallest checkups..... Im not arguing that.

Is it normal to not give anesthesia for a procedure like a 40 cm?

 

When I had a colon my first GI would not give me any sedation for sigmoidoscopies. They would go in as far as 40 cm. Beyond that I would receive a full colonoscopy with only enough sedation to kill the pain but not to put me out cold.

My second GI wanted to put me right out even for sigmoidoscopies up to 40 cm. Since I was already use to no sedation and I found it not to be too bad I always asked for no sedation. No sedation also allowed me to drive myself home. My first full colonoscopy with him, he put me right out and I didn’t like it. I just love watching on the monitor and asking the doctor questions. Since then I always asked for minimum sedation for colonoscopies.

I have had 6 or 7 colonoscopies and an equal number of sigmoidoscopies. I only had one that was a little painful and that was because it was performed by an intern doctor when supervised by my GI. He kept pulling it in and out irritating my anus.

I had two full scopes in 2008 - with versid and Demerol.  When I had the sigmoid three weeks ago I told them PLEASE give me same thing - they did - just in smaller amounts and latest shorter.   I heard the doc giving his report at end - I would never have any of them done without sedation.  My husband had a colonoscopy years ago without anything and I heard him scream down the hall  and he is NO wimp!  If it is that simple and I feel fine after - why would I try to do without it.

ElaineNY

My 1st gastro went to 40+ cm. once w/o any sedation-- because the procedure started out as a flex sig, but when she saw that there was inflammation farther up she wanted to keep on looking to get a full picture of what my UC was doing. Basically, I agree with Paul L. I prefer to have minimal sedation during scopes so that I can watch the monitor and/or hear & understand what the gastro says. But what your doctor commented is true, :) --there is more emphasis on total anaesthesia for procedures now than back in the 1970s. I think it's due to the proliferation of newer sedatives like Propofol that the younger doctors like to try out. Also, some state and/or local laws have been applied to scoping during the past decade, which dictate practice requirements. In NYC, for example, the gastro cannot inject sedation unless an RN is present during the scope procedure. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])

Possibly could be whether insurance will pay also, etc.  I had all mine done at an outpatient hospital surgical unit - they do all different procedures there and can do whatever is required for medication.  I always have the doc, RN and another nurse present.  Pain is not necessary!  My opinion! Versid makes it so you can follow instructions, move around, etc. but you don't remember a thing - YES!!

ElaineNY

Sorry Old Hat - I was told that was the reason for using it - they better give me enough so I forget!  I have never heard that before - learn something new everyday - so what is the other reason for it then?

ElaineNHY