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Posted 7/24/2008 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
hi there I was wondering how everyone's experiences have been with their colonoscopy procedures. I've had two in my uc lifetime, today being the second, and so far they experiences have both been different. Six years ago when they gave me the iv anesthesia i was awake and aware. I was even watching what they were doing on the tv screen...maybe I'm weired. Today however when they gave me the anesthesia I was out like a light and didn't even know they had done the thing. Last thing i saw was my iv being shot up and then I'm being bugged to wake up by a nurse. Apparently they had trouble waking me. My wife says they were shaking me hard enough to make my head shake back and forth but I still wouldn't respond. So they had to get two more nurses and the anesthesiologist. well anyway just curious about anyone else that had differences in their experiences. thanks -Andrew
Posted 7/24/2008 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
I've had two of them (first one in 2000) and in both cases I was completely under for both. I had no problem waking up afterward and I was totally woozy (& gassy) afterward for about 20 minutes.
Posted 7/24/2008 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
yeah, *gassy* was a new experience but not just for me. It was more being in the same area hearing other people letting them go after their c-scopy. That was a real new one that i didn't expect.Of course it made me feel less nervous about me, lol. The nurses say they are used to it but it's weird being able to look out at them and see and hear them talking and let them go. maybe cause I'm new to the world of it. of course where you've had uc for a while you stop worring about what others might think when you have to go...
Posted 7/24/2008 1:28 AM (GMT 0)

I've had several of them done.  A couple of times I was awake when they started to scope me, then I fell asleep right away, and woke up thinking the scope was going to come out through my belly button, agonizing pain, the Doc was say "I'm just going around a curve" or whatever and OMG I just thought I would die.  That happened 2 times.  The rest of the times, I've been pretty much out cold just as they were about to start it. 

I experience alot of gas afterwards too.  Only I go home all bloated and in pain because I hold in the gas, I'm embarassed to let it out.  But when ya think about it........I'm sure they won't stink, because there's nothing in there to stink, but I don't want anybody to hear me so I wait til I go home and then I'm uncomfortable for hours.  But I've heard other patients letting them fly... yeah

Posted 7/24/2008 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
Well, I've only had one, which was last June. I had to travel two hours (!!) to my aunt's place, because she happens to be my specialist. I went to her clinic, which is MNGI (in Minnesota).

They had to poke me 5 times to get a good spot for the IV. DUH it took that long since I hadn't eaten/drank in a while. That sucked. The nurse said to speak up if I can feel the scope, and I did, and I freaked, and one second after she put more stuff in my IV I was out. I woke up looking at my Mom sitting in the chair next to me. I tried to get up and walk out of there right away only to be stopped by nurses. I was the crazy one that day. =] My Mom said I looked like a zombie trying to walk out of there in my pathetic hospital robe.. LOL

Overall, it sucked getting ready for it, and it sucked during the IV session, and then right before. Everything else was fine.
Posted 7/24/2008 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
I've only had one and I was completely out for all of it (thank god!). I don't remember being gassy but I was still a bit foggy after waking up.
Posted 7/24/2008 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
19 years ago had my first, I remember asking the nurses and doctor as I was looking at the long tube scope thing, "You do use a new one for each person right?" They busted out laughing, told me how much one of the scopes cost and that's about all I remember until I woke up and passed gas without any control, that was weird. This past winter had my 2nd and I had medication in the IV but never fell asleep, did not feel pain, watched it all on TV and talked to doc during it. They told me to pass gas after but I realy didn't need to that much nor want to. I'm a bathroom girl when it comes to that. Then recently had a flex-sig, had to prep and then got to hospital they said, no sedation......WHAT? It was uncomfortable a little but I survived. No gas, bad headache though. I just hate the whole thought if people going up my butt and looking at it. Why would anybody want that job? Yuk, I am getting over it and used to it. The nurses and doctors have all been fabulous and friendly, that helped me not feel so strange about it. Sorry to talk so much, but you asked. And where else can I talk about it? lol
Posted 7/24/2008 7:05 AM (GMT 0)
Well,  i"ve had 2 actual colonoscopys.  For both of them I had Fentanyl and Versed.  I'm wondering tho if the doses were different.   The first one, I was mostly awake,  but I don't remember it all much.   I remember watching it on the tv for a few minutes,  and then it was like it was over,   but my hubby asked me if I remember having to roll over and what not,  and if I remember crying out in pain.  I don't remember any of that,  so I guess the Versed did its job.   The second colonoscopy was in the hospital when i was REALLy sick...and all I remember is watching them put it in my IV, then just waking up.    So I"m wondering if they didn't give me higher dose of pain meds and versed when in the hospital because of the discomfort I was already in. 

Posted 7/24/2008 7:09 AM (GMT 0)
I've only had one and it was pretty much like your second experience. Last thing I remember was them wheeling me into the room and me saying I was a bit cold so the one nurse threw another blanket on me and I was out. After I finally woke up, they said that they expected me to be awake 10 minutes ago and that the doctor was waiting for me to get up finally so he could leave.
Posted 7/24/2008 7:16 AM (GMT 0)
I've had two colonoscopies and one sigmoidoscopy, I opted to be knocked out for all three, it's bad enough that a room full of people were looking up my bum, I didn't want to be awake and prolong the indignity .. :-)

I didn't have any problems coming round from any of the proceedures, and had no discomfort or adverse effects.

The nursing staff have always been great and made me feel totally comfortable.

I have no worries at all about having them in the future. 

Posted 7/24/2008 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
Have had one colonoscopy and two flex sigs although prep for colonoscopy bad did not have any bother with any of them and no sedation with either flex sigs just a bit uncomfotable but was out of it with colonoscopy.
Posted 7/24/2008 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
I've had 3 and was out cold for all of them. The last one was also an upper GI. I need to ask about the IV meds as I'm on anxiety meds too.. I'm not sure if that would make it harder for me to wake up.
Posted 7/24/2008 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
I have had two so far. They both went exactly the same-the last thing I remember is them upping the IV and then being woken up from such a good sleep! My first one was done when I was 17 and my doctor said that I was so funny during the whole thing. He said that I talked to him the whole time (even though I don't remember any of it). His favorite part was when he asked me what my three favorite things in the world were. My response: "Beer, boys and the beach." cool
Posted 7/24/2008 7:40 PM (GMT 0)

Maureen4RU said...
 He said that I talked to him the whole time (even though I don't remember any of it). His favorite part was when he asked me what my three favorite things in the world were. My response: "Beer, boys and the beach." cool

That is too funny!!
Posted 7/24/2008 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
I've had about 6 of them in my Uc lifetime with numerous sigs. Even though the prep is horrible, I will take a cscope any day! The first one - where they made my diagnosis - I was partially awake and I remember being in horrendous pain. They kep upping the pain med or whatever they use but it didn't help. I remember though that I kept thinking that I was walking up stairs for some reason while I was in that drug daze. After that, I told the doc that I want to be out! No ifs, ands or buts. So now I get knocked out for each one. I get super gassy too and it is so odd to hear others tootin' all around you - but at least it makes me feel less conspicous when I do it! :) The nurses won't let anyone go if they don't release their gas at the hospital I go to. They actually want to HEAR you before they discharge you. What a job eh? lol
Posted 7/24/2008 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
I've had three or four colonoscopies (with one coming up next Wednesday  skull  ) three barium tests, more sigmoidoscopies than I remember, and at least two EGDs. It was really sad when the ladies in the hospital remembered me, and wrote me a get well card. It was really nice but I don't want the people at the hospital and labs knowing me by name!!

Anyway, I've been knocked out cold for all of the c-scopes, and the prep is certainly the worst part (which is what I'm DREADING right now). Passing gas after sucks too and after having UC for 8 years I STILL haven't gotten used to it and refuse to do so in front of people. After every scope I wait until I can walk and then go straight for the bathroom, turn on the water, and let them go until I can't anymore. Once the nurse actually wanted to stay in there with me because she was worried about me falling- I was young and really out of it from the anesthesia- but she settled for standing right outside the door with my mom. Seriously mortifying. It's easy to say "They've seen and heard it all, they don't care" but I still can't bring myself to be that open.

I've never remembered any of my colonoscopies, but I have been awake for two sigmoidoscopies... In Iowa they don't believe in putting you all the way out I guess. The first time was really uncomfortable, a little painful, and mildly traumatizing. I didn't like laying there while some guy was probing around in my butt with three people watching on TV. And feeling the biopsies being taken was not painful but not something I enjoyed. The next time I had to have one done with them I told them I was seriously uncomfortable before and would really like more medication; they gave it to me and I do remember bits and pieces but no pain and everything is jumbled. It's cool to see your insides but I'd much rather be asleep and hear about it from the doctor than ever go through that again, to be honest.

Posted 7/24/2008 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
Oh and I was just looking at the Fleet website and the flavor of their phospho-soda is "Lemon Ginger"... Is it just me or does that sound ridiculously disgusting??? *barf*
Posted 7/24/2008 8:31 PM (GMT 0)

ediekristen said...
Oh and I was just looking at the Fleet website and the flavor of their phospho-soda is "Lemon Ginger"... Is it just me or does that sound ridiculously disgusting??? *barf*

Yea, that sounds nasty!!! can I ask you how well the Lexapro is working for you?
Posted 7/24/2008 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
I would say the Lexapro has really helped... I've had depression and pretty severe social anxiety (with which I think the UC had a lot to do with) for some time and since starting the Lexapro I feel so much better.. I can actually go shopping by myself and be outgoing at parties, which to some sounds like nothing but before I would seriously panic if I even had to order a pizza myself. Of course I still have days where I'm feeling depressed or worrying about things, and sometimes I think I might need to talk about upping my dosage, but overall I think it's significantly improved my outlook on life in general.
Posted 7/24/2008 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
I've had 2 flex sigs, awake for both and both painful, and one colonoscopy. I wasn't totally out for the colonoscopy, and could feel some discomfort. I remember chanting "om", which I learned in yoga to focus on the the sound of the word and the inner vibration it can create.

The doctor never told me what he thought about that, but I was also mostly unconscious when he came to talk to me, anyway.
Posted 7/25/2008 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
I have had many colonoscopys over the  years and I've always managed to stay awake to watch the screen so I could see for myself what was going on, I'd even ask questions as to certain things I saw.  I think the nurses and doctors always wonder why I'm not out cold.  

Posted 7/25/2008 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
HELLO ALL, I HAVE ONE QUESTION TO ASK.. EVERYONE IS DESCRIBING THEIR EXPERIENCES BEFORE , DURING AND SHORTLY AFTER A COLONOSCOPY...... MY WIFE HAD ONE OVER A WEEK AGO AND SHE HAS A VERY FIRM BELLY ALMOST AS IF IT WAS CONCRETE. IS THIS NORMAL SHE USUALLY HAS A "JELLY-BELLY"  FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM... THANK YOU !!!
Posted 7/25/2008 2:06 AM (GMT 0)

ediekristen said...
I would say the Lexapro has really helped... I've had depression and pretty severe social anxiety (with which I think the UC had a lot to do with) for some time and since starting the Lexapro I feel so much better.. I can actually go shopping by myself and be outgoing at parties, which to some sounds like nothing but before I would seriously panic if I even had to order a pizza myself. Of course I still have days where I'm feeling depressed or worrying about things, and sometimes I think I might need to talk about upping my dosage, but overall I think it's significantly improved my outlook on life in general.

Thanks for the info. My doc wants me to eventually get up to 10mg and I've been worried about it. I'm so sensitive to meds. I have reactions to small increases (like 1/4 of a pill more) for weeks.
Posted 7/25/2008 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone! It was great to hear from you all. It's nice to know sometimes that there are others out there having the some things happening to them too! -Andrew
Posted 7/25/2008 11:28 AM (GMT 0)
Doogie, no this doesn't sound normal. Is she in any pain?
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