Unsedated Colonoscopy

Ask the hospital/facility if they can arrange for transport for you.

How about just the last appointment of the day and you wait for someone to pick you up? Leave your car at the facility.

Taxi or Uber?

My insurance covers sedation even with Flex sigs; I've never had a scope without it so I don't know how bad it would or wouldn't be.

YOU WILL BE MEDICATED FOR THIS PROCEDURE. YOU MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A FRIEND OR
RELATIVE TO DRIVE YOU HOME. YOU MAY NOT DRIVE, OR GO HOME BY TAXI OR BUS. IF YOU DO NOT
HAVE A DRIVER, YOUR PROCEDURE WILL BE CANCELLED

Serenity Now said...
My husband does not have IBD, don't know about that mystery guy.

Right that is the question. My mother once complained about no-sedation and said it was awful. So much going on as we moved into new home finally but teenage daughter has no drivers license at 15 and here full time and no wife to help with anything.

I think I will just have to 'gut it out'. I really like Propofil but maybe next time.

I believe an unsedated colonoscopy experience would be synonymous with an unsedated flexible sigmoidoscopy (which I've had many of in various stages of inflammation).

If you're in remission, sedation is likely unnecessary and you'd be equivalent to a healthy person. However, if you're badly inflamed/flaring then it's going to be a painful experience. I was flaring badly and had a reflex reaction during a flex-sig where I intended to reach back to pull the scope out, luckily, the assistant pinned my arm down as soon as she saw motion. So, if you're symptom free then you could risk it and go for it unsedated. But, if you have any less than minor symptoms then get the sedation. I recently had a flex-sig (where I was confirmed in endoscopic remission) and there was minimal discomfort, mostly from the air they puff in.

Anyone owe you a favor? Ask them to pick you up afterwards. Or buy a neighbor, friend, family member, or coworker lunch as repayment for giving you a ride home, or something

I can't even get through a flex sig without sedation. I can't imagine how awful an entire scope would be. I guess if you're not inflamed, maybe it's not as bad?

There's no way I'd put up with the discomfort in the name of driving myself home. My dad does them unsedated and said he threw up from the pain last time.

Last time I went, it was in the middle of a work day and I knew finding a ride would be tricky. My doctor's office said to let them know if I couldn't find one and they'd arrange transport.

I've never used sedation, and I've never had a problem. Last time, my GI's resident did the procedure, and he was clearly still learning, so it was a little more uncomfortable. Still, not bad at all.

The first minute or so can be a little intense (a little like hitting your funny bone) as the sigmoid colon is straightened -- and you might think you made a mistake -- but I haven't found it painful and it lasts all of a minute. Once that is out of the way, it's a breeze. They go the to end of the colon as quickly as possible and then spend most of the time backing the scope out. It's about a 20-minute procedure.

When I arrive, they always ask about my driver, but once I tell them it's unsedated, there's no problem with not having driver.

The best part is that I'm almost always in and out in under an hour.

Nope nope and more Nope, i'd ask for the strongest sedation they could legally give me.

I've had a polyp removed while unsedated. That wasn't really the problem. The problem for me is the feeling of wanting to push the scope out, the painful gas they push up there and the cramping around the turns. I once woke up while the scope was at the highest part of my colon. It was terrible. I nearly forgot about that experience until now, so thanks for reminding me... I seriously thought I was going to die. I remember saying, "I'm awake" and they said, "We gave you the maximum allowable medication" and then I was uncomfortable but they were on their way out... Then I got really sick afterwards and had to use my emergency plastic bag to throw up in. That was the only time I used that bag. it was intended for accidents but I was really lucky to have it in this case. I still carry a trash bag in my car.

Have you considered looking at care.com or equivalent and hire someone to accompany you? I had an unsedated flex sig with my initial flare and it was horrible. My first colonoscopy was done with conscious sedation which is versed and an opioid du jour. Again, a very unpleasant experience. I remember the nurse pushing on my abdomen and I tried to push her off of me. In the recovery room, I was so nauseated and the nurse made me drink apple juice and I threw up. Never ever again. I will always have sedation provided by anesthesia personnel. Always.

I think the average healthy 50 year old person getting a screening colonoscopy is the best candidate for non-sedate. I am a nurse anesthetist and often provide sedation in the GI lab. It's not the same "recipe" for everyone and it's no surprise that IBD patients often need more propofol and fentanyl.

Also, I am single and have to arrange for a ride. I usually have one friend drop me off on their way to work and another pick me up. The GI lab calls them when I'm near ready.

I did my last, recent colonoscopy without sedation and in terms of pain it was no different whatsoever. I'd long suspected that the sedation had little effect on me.

I had a morphine based pain killer injection in my hand, and "gas and air". It was absolutely fine and I loved coming out of the colonoscopy high on "gas and air" and not sedated, with no need to be collected.

During the colonoscopy my gastro commented that I must have a high pain tolerance. I don't know if I do though. I was partially flared up at the time of the colonoscopy and it was a little more sensitive in those regions.

If you go without sedation I recommend the "gas and air" and I also recommend you "breathe through" the colonoscopy. If you feel any discomfort then breathe out slowly. Do not hold your breath because that often makes pain feel worse.