Colonoscopy

Levels of sedation do vary even between private hospitals - my daughter is almost unconscious for hers but I was in agony for mine because my doctor preferred to use minimal sedation. My impatient friend had hers with no sedation or pain relief on the NHS - when she found out how much longer she would have to wait for the sedation after the long wait she had already sat through, she said she had no more time and to just go ahead - she told me it didn't hurt her that much. My daughter's doctor told her it's a variant of rohypnol (sp?), the so called 'date rape' drug that they use because people find colonoscopy so undignified and it wipes out most of the memory of the procedure - I don't know if that's still the case as that was over 10 years ago.

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That takes 'cutting corners' to a whole new level!

Well apparently they cut my corners haha couldn't get round them

all this talk of going round corners! I'm scared, and I'm not even having one!

And I'm from the Wirral. Must be a new thing.

Yes they do. Not very comfortable either .

I had one a couple of years ago. No sedation, no problems. The Preparation wasn’t a bundle of joy though.
Apparently they give you shorts with a hole in now. (In Norfolk) I suppose to preserve your dignity ? More cost for the NHS and more rubbish to dispose of

Lazigirl I had a colonoscopy recently and it was absolutely fine, so not everybody has problems. The sedative made me very dozy and, when I felt a very slight bit of discomfort, they immediately topped it up and I slept happily. When I woke up it was all over and I had been moved to a different room, where I enjoyed a tasty sandwich and a cup of coffee, which I was more than ready for after the starvation the day before. (I would just mention that the day before wasn't too much fun, 'purging' the system... not painful or anything, just a bit relentless if you get my drift!).

The thing is having a colonoscopy as an adult is they want you to get out quicker, so the lower the sedation, the sooner they can push you out. I would insist on the highest sedation they can give you.

I went for an endoscopy [ other end ] they gave me the lowest possible dose of sedation possible --- I couldn't go through with it.
My GP was furious as she said they they could have given a much higher dose and I wouldn't have known anything about it.

Go to see your GP and explain your concerns, they can they right to the endoscopy department where hopefully they will give you the proper sedation needed. Good luck.

I had both colonoscopy and gastroscopy in the same session. The sedative knocked me out completely and I never felt a thing! It worked as well as a GA and didn't make me sick.

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Will take all drugs offered and report back

I was told they don't do it under general anesthesia as they need to ask you to move at a certain point (as it goes round the corner). Don't worry too much Lazigirl you'll probably be fine with sedation. My advice would be to do the kind of 'chest breathing' you may have done during labour of it gets uncomfortable.

Lazigirl don't be scared . I only felt the pain because of narrowing and scarring from diverticulitis. I've had 3 babies with no pain relief so I'm not a wimp. Most people I know find it a doddle .

Had one a couple of years ago as an investigative procedure. I was very apprehensive but for me it was no more than slightly unpleasant. I have no other problem with my colon, such as diverticulitis, so appreciate that others would have more pain. Just want to reassure anyone going for one soon, that it is not always awful.

I had 2 with sedation and felt no pain at all , just a pushing sensation . I do have a high pain threshold though and a chilled attitude in advance , so perhaps being relaxed in the head (!) helps ?

OMG. I have been referred for one and am now REALLY scared!!

Nanooka. They just don't like giving GA where they think it's not needed. That was my reply to the question anyway. I would have rather had gas and air myself because the sedative never touched me .

Hi harrigran
Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I dont have a private health plan and im unsure if any plan would cover routine colonoscopy for screening every few years. Its worth me asking the question if indeed sedation levels can be higher than NHS. Do you know any reason why this investigation is unlikely to be done under a GA? Good luck and hope all goes well.

I am having another one in a couple of weeks time and I will be opting for sedation as it is really stressful and the endoscope is passed through my stoma. The sedation on the NHS is not as good as a colonoscopy done privately, they are way more generous.

I understand the risks with GA but for me they are no greater than the sudden movements i made whilst on the table. I nearly shot right off at times . I dont know why im smiling - i wasnt then!

Yes I too would not want another without being Knocked out first ! ?

Hi NannyTee, thanks for your reply. Sorry yours was painful but it made me feel a bit better! The poor consultant kept apologising for my distress and admitted it was a most difficult scope. A general anaesthetic would avoid all of this. I live in hope ......

I had my first last year and even though sedated, screeched through the whole procedure. Mine is also due to narrowing and lesions from diverticulitis . Even changing the tube to a child's didn't help . Hope I never have to have another one.