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nomorepanic
24-05-14, 00:24
Hi all

I am not new to this procedure but the last one I had they had to stop as they could not get round the bend in the bowel and since then I have had sigmoidoscopy's

Both are very very painful for me as I have them without sedation and suffered the pain though my pain threshold is very high so I could just about cope.

I am having a colonoscopy on the 16th June and am really not looking forward to the prep day and the procedure as like I said I have been there a few times before and because my bowel is red and inflammed from the crohn's it really hurts to have the procedure done.

I think I need sedation but the thought of this freaks me out as I do not like being out of control and drugged up.

Can someone tell me what the sedation is like during and after the procedure and how do you feel and can you function as normal.

It doesn't help that they tell me some people can react to the sedation as well !

Mr.Jitters
24-05-14, 01:35
I can completely understand your concerns. I felt the same way for a long time. Worth pointing out that your pain threshold puts me to shame, though! I couldn't stand it for a second.

I am desperately afraid of losing control, being drugged, saying something baaaad, or, worse still, the worst happening. I won't even take a Nytol. I made myself ill by refusing sedation for wisdom tooth extraction and putting off a colonoscopy for over two years. I read some pretty nasty horror stories.

In the end, I was left with no choice but get sedation from a dentist, using IV midazolam. He explained that the dose was given very slowly, and any reaction could be countered by administering another drug immediately. He reassured me that as I had taken diazepam before, I wasn't likely to suffer any ill effects as it was the same kind of drug. And as the dose was given slowly, I wouldn't feel like I was actually losing control, but I'd start to feel pleasant. They'd stop when I was calm enough to proceed, not when I was zonked.

So, ok. I didn't feel pleasant. I went from crying hysterically to kind of, sobbing, and apologising for being such a nervous nelly. After I had the teeth out, they told me to sit quietly for 20 minutes before trying to get up, and I was almost snoozing. When my friend came to get me into the car, I got up and walked no problem. I remember being really chilled out on the drive home, lay down and watched the news for an hour until I got up and did some washing.

When I asked about the sedation during a colonoscopy and was told that it was going to be the same drug, I kinda lost my fear of it. I explained to them that I had an anxiety disorder or six and wanted to take things slowly, and they were really good. I kept my eyes open that time, whereas they were pretty heavy the first time. Remember my conversation with the nurse pretty well during the procedure, and being amazed that it was over so quickly. Sat there for a while until they said I could go, and off I went. Friend took me home, lay down and watched a film to spoil myself.

At no point was I unable to function, and they check on this while they're sedating you. They talk to you and judge your reactions, making sure you don't get too much sedation. I didn't even have a headache afterwards.

Sorry to ramble, but I just wanted to let you know that there are positive experiences out there too. Whichever route you decide to take, good luck with it!

SADnomore
24-05-14, 01:53
Hi, Nicola! Good for you, Mr Jitters! :D I have had two colonoscopies, and I can vouch that the drugs and procedure are very safe and have very little by the way of side effects. First time I got a bit weepy afterwards because, although I had no recollection of it, they had to stop as well and I was disappointed as I had been worried and had no answer after all. The doctor had said there were adhesions or something preventing going past the bend. So I went for that one where you drink the chalky stuff and they put you on a table that turns and take what seems like thousands of x-rays. No problems they said, but, still, the gold standard is colonoscopy. When it came time again (family history of colon cancer), I told the gp that I didn't want that kind of x-ray exposure again and he agreed. Sent me to a different specialist, who had no trouble completing the colonoscopy (no polyps, yay!) There is an actual anesthesiologist in control of the drug, and Mr Jitters is right, they are expert with it! I had a few tummy cramps later on and just took some acetaminophen and chilled with tv, too. So good to get results this time and know that it can be done with me after all. Plan to treat yourself, hunni, with a fave meal or snacks and a movie afterwards. I know the prep is not joy, but I make up lots of gelatin to eat (remember, no red or purple jelly) and will have warm clear broths as well. The relief of the results is well worth it all! Fingers crossed for you! xx

Catherine S
24-05-14, 03:24
You know what..I'm completely in awe of you guys. Claustrophobia? No problem. Freaking out at the airport? No problem. A few palps? Where's the problem. Colonoscopy..........

SADnomore
24-05-14, 04:06
No big deal! Way more worried about the MRI I have scheduled for July. Last time, I broke out in a cold sweat and I have to say that's when I found out I have claustrophobia :weep: Closing my eyes only made it worse. Took forever :wacko: I'm considering taking something a little bit beforehand this time ...

hanshan
24-05-14, 06:51
I had a colonoscopy. I think it's a very quick procedure in most cases. The sedation put me to sleep so I wasn't aware of anything, and coming out of it was just like waking up after an afternoon nap - no nausea or anything like that. I felt quite clear-headed and normal, but the hospital still insisted that someone drive me home, as a precaution.

Worriedwellornot
24-05-14, 07:54
Hi I have my scheduled for an hours time! Had a horrible night of worry but now is the time to bite the bullet. I haven't decided about sedation as this was not discussed with me but I will take advice. I had sedation for the endoscopy in April but not sure about whether I will today. I must say I'm not worried about the procedure or the pain only the results. I hope it comes out clear and it will be another thing I can cross off in my quest to find out the cause of this horrible pain. I will post later.....wish me luck x

aprilmoon
24-05-14, 08:28
I had a colonoscopy last year without sedation and it wasn't too bad.
Good luck!

Annie0904
24-05-14, 08:33
I had sedation for my colonoscopy and endoscopy and I was sedated to have a tooth out. I don't remember a thing and had a lovely sleep after.
When I was waking up from the sedation after I had the tooth out I apparently told my daughter that I want a Full English breakfast at her wedding reception :D (she is getting married in September).
The sedation didn't make me feel ill at all. Not a good idea to post on here straight after or send text messages as I sent some strange illegible texts to some friends :D
This is what I posted on NMP "I a still abiy wozzy rom the sedatioih i an going to slrep my mouyg id sotre" :roflmao:
I would recommend sedation to anyone :)

spuder
24-05-14, 11:29
Sadtation is good u just feel drunk but not sick if u know what I mean next thing u know is u r coming round and like is that it I was told to keep looking at a clock and I had to tell the person who sedated u the time next thing the clock goes blurry and I wanted to say I can't see the time he kept saying tell me the time but nothing would come out my mouth then before I knew it it's all over good luck to u nic xxxxx

nomorepanic
24-05-14, 14:52
Thank you all so much for the replies.

I know that I will probably have to have it as the procedure is so painful but I was able to control the pain for the sigmoidoscopy but obviously the colonoscopy takes longer so I guess I will have to be sedated. I will let them know my fears and ask if they can do just enough to let me control the pain but not too much lol.

Spot-the-frog
24-05-14, 20:09
I would just like to say that I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy recently and had sedation and there was no problem at all and I was glad that I had it. I was very nervous and once the sedation had been given I was very relaxed. I remember some of the two procedures but not all and I was perfectly ok and awake before they took me back to have a cup of tea and a biscuit. I had no after affects and no sleepiness and was fine when i got home. I would 100% recommend the sedation as it is not like a general anesthetic, it is very light and they can control it.

Good luck, you will be fine x

AlexandriaUK
24-05-14, 20:18
I had valium in liquid form which is diazepam so I knew I woudnt have reaction as have taken it before.
Wouldn't have done it anyother way,

nomorepanic
24-05-14, 21:05
Thanks - it is good to hear that I won't be too spaced out as that would make me panic even more

Goldfynche
10-02-15, 22:51
I've undergone 3 colonoscopys now, to keep a check on Ulcerative colitis. Each time I opted for not having sedation. Simply because I was on my own and they won't let you travel without an escort if you had been sedated.
It can get a little uncomfortable, because, as well as probing, they have to mildly inflate your 'plumbing' in order to get a better view. I didn't find it too distressing, Infact I was fascinated at being able to watch progress on their monitors. And being told "see that! That's the interior of your appendix".

singersongwriter123
11-02-15, 08:14
HI there, I had a gastroscopy and colonoscopy three weeks ago, I was worried too about it, for me it was like a sleep, a little groggy not too much for about two hours afterwards, then I was hungry. It's not like anaesthesia (sp?) where the aftereffects were quite hard for me, the sedation was quite relaxing. the prep is gluggy stuff and clears you out. But the sedation was ok, I was worried before but I didn't feel a thing woke up like nothing had happened. The procedure was quite fast I think 20 minutes for me. You will be fine. Good luck.