Thanks all I am definitely going to ask for sedation.  One thing that is worrying me is that I have read Colonoscopys are dangerous.  This is really concerning me and is making me worried about having it.  Am I allowed to be put completely asleep for it?

Hi sammy

There isn't a medical procedure in the world that is free from risk. Even taking an aspirin can be harmful.

The risks from a colonoscopy are very low indeed and when compared with the risk of an undiagnosed bowel cancer they're negligable.

By the way, if you ask to be put completely to sleep then there's also a risk from the anaesthetic!

Bob

what sort of risk am i looking at from Anesthesia?

Before you can have any procedure, you have to get to the hospital, and getting there is probably riskier than the procedure itself.  Do you worry about driving? Catching a bus? Crossing the road? Climbing the stairs?  If you don't worry about these things why do you worry about the risks from a colonoscopy or anaesthetic?

I'm afraid that once you find yourself on the cancer bandwagon (and no-one gets on by choice!) then being risk averse can seriously shorten your life. If you need a procedure then you need it, and not having it because it carries some low risk could end up shortening your life by many years if you get untreated cancer. You have to trust your medics to give you the best advice - and if you don't trust them then find some different medics who you do trust!

To put it in context, last year I had a radical prostatectomy. Risk of dying within 30 days from that surgery is relatively high: about 0.3%. But, if I didn't have any treatment at all then the risk of dying within 10 years from advanced prostate cancer was up to 100%. What would you do?

To answer your specific question, before you have any general anaesthetic you should have a full pre-op assessment at the hospital.  Once you've had a complete medical, any risks will be explained by the anaesthetist.  Judging from my wife's reaction to her colonoscopy, you don't really need a general anaesthetic, but if you really want one then ask for one, and accept the additional (tiny) risk involved.

Bob

hi sammy

i like many others agree that the taking of the medication to clean your insides out is the worst of it but,if this is what has to be done then it is a small price to pay,and when its over you are usually ok ,so try not to worry about it,and hopefully everything is fine,so take care and let us no how you get on.

  jeff

Sammy,

I have had several and found them more uncomfortable than painful...the guys assertions that the risk of not having it far outweigh the risks for having it are definately correct. It is very very unfortunate that they have to inform you of the risks, frankly they do so as a precaution to cover themselves. The risks are no more dangerous than taken a tablet....If you look at some of the pain relief medications and read through the sheet of paper that comes neatly folded in the packet you would never take another pill.

As for complete sedation, it is not advisable as they need to get you to move about and the sedation they give you enables you to be up and about in 10-20 mins.  You can have the sedation or take gas and air....I have tried both and are equally effective.

Please do not worry if you can, this is a scary time and we all understand what you are going through...however for some reason the cup of tea and the biscuits afterwards are the best ever, maybe something to do with not eating for a while.

All the very best, keep coming on here to let us know how you get on.

Much Love

Tony xxxx

Not sure what terms they use in the UK - when I had a colonoscopy I was offered 'twilight' anaesthetic where apparently you can respond to instructions to move etc. but you won't remember any of it.  Suited me fine.  I have a friend who insisted I had lost a wonderful opportunity to see what my colon looked like on the inside by choosing to be anaesthetised - frankly I leave all that to the experts!  But if you prefer not to have anaesthetic it's your choice.  Good luck!

Not sure what terms they use in the UK - when I had a colonoscopy I was offered 'twilight' anaesthetic where apparently you can respond to instructions to move etc. but you won't remember any of it.  Suited me fine.  I have a friend who insisted I had lost a wonderful opportunity to see what my colon looked like on the inside by choosing to be anaesthetised - frankly I leave all that to the experts!  But if you prefer not to have anaesthetic it's your choice.  Good luck!

Hi expat,

I remember when I had mine (or not) that I said after it had finished that I didn't think the sedation had worked...the nurse replied that I should have been where she was (up by my head) as apparently my eyes were rolling about as I was out of it. I also thought it was over in about 2 mins when it had been about 10. Good stuff!

T x

The other thing to think about when opting for sedation or not is how to get home... I was told that I could not drive until the following day if I had the twilight sedation; however good I felt my insurance would be void if I had an accident.  Took public transport to the hospital and my husband was able to pick me up afterwards.  Another thing to consider.

good luck!

I had a colonoscopy yesterday at Plymouth and even with sedation, it was the most painful thing I have ever experienced.  Was so relieved when it was over.  My husband had one 3 weeks ago and only had mild discomfort.

That is the problem; everyone is different, and you never know how it will affect you as an individual.

I hope none of this debate has put anyone off having either an endoscopy or a colonoscopy.

I've had both several times over the past 20 years during which time the thckness of the endoscopes has reduced considerably. Not the most pleasant of experiences but luckily I've never experienced the sort of pain some people have described here.  - 

So far I've not had sedation, usually because I drove myself to the hospital.. 

Cheers
Dave

DaveK

I'm so pleased to have seen your post as I too want to drive to the hospital and home again after the procedure. The Doctor I saw for the initial consultation insisted that I would have to have sedation and unless I was accompanied the procedure would not go ahead. I argued the toss & explained that I did not wish any friend or family member to know about it as we are all very concerned about a close one who has pancreatic cancer. He eventually relented and agreed that it could be done without sedation. I hope I made the right decision.

Can anybody spell out the dangers of having sedation & being alone afterwards. I asked if I could have the procedure earlier in the day as I should be fully recovered by the time I go to bed after midnight. He said the danger was me being alone & not being able to seek help if I had a problem. Apart from my bowel problem, I am pretty healthy. I do not have any heart or breathing problems and I have quite a good bearing of pain so I hope I'm not taking a stupid risk. 

PS. If I'm not sedated, will I hear interesting comments and will I be told the result at the end of the procedure.  

You're not taking a stupid risk - it is only in recent years that people in the UK have been offered sedation for a colonoscopy. 

There is a very low risk of perforation during the procedure (I was told about 1 in 1,000) and there may be minor bleeding if they take a biopsy. There's a useful article on Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/.../Colonoscopy

Also this US article makes interesting reading commonhealth.wbur.org/.../sedation-free-colonoscopy

Cheers
Dave 

DaveK, you have made my mind up and I am no longer worried about the procedure. However, I'm not looking forward to drinking the purging liquid and the subsequent clearout but I'm sure I wll get iver it.

Cheers

Hello everyone,

I thought I'd share with you this useful little colonoscopy animation we have on our site.

I hope this helps!

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

I had my colonoscopy, without sedation, ten days ago. I barely noticed the scope until the two bends in the colon. Then I experienced about 3 - 5 seconds of pain as the consultant manouvred the scope around each of the two bends. It was similar to a bad period pain but as it did't last long it was soon forgotten. I would happily repeat the excersise, if required. As I was awake during the procedure, I was able to follow the journey on the screen and found it very interesting. Luckily, nothing of concern was found.

What I would not repeat is the drinking of 2 litres of Moviprep. I prepared the first litre at 5pm and at first it was acceptable but by the time I got halfway down the last glass I really did not want to finish it. I did eventually finish after downing a couple of glasses of water. A couple of hours passed and I made up the second litre of Moviprep. I swallowed the first glass but was retching and when I started to drink the second glass I threw up and had to take a break before I finally finished the remainder. All sips followed by lots of water.

After the event I found out I could have asked for a preparation called Picolax and would only have had to drink 2 glasses of the mixture instead of 2 litres. This would have made a big difference to my experience. I wish I knew of the option beforehand and that is why I am naming the preparations so others are aware of the choice.  Other preparations may be available.