Colonoscopy experience without sedation

i had a colonoscopy last week due to bleeding from back passage I am 37 and went down two week rule due to family history just wanted to say it was absolutely fine took the laxative drink night before and in the morning was not as bad as thought!Had colonoscopy at 1 30pm and had it without sedation staff were amazing felt at ease and not at all embarrassed!The only time it hurt was when going round the corners of colon but as soon as I felt the pain it was gone again!Was over in 30 mins and was out and done within an hour whilst everyone else was either asleep or not totally with it!I drove home and before I left told result was normal such a relief had lots of wind rest of day and worst part was not going lol for a couple of days after but would definitely do it again without sedation and to anyone worrying it’s honestly not bad at all so happy result was normal was so worried especially with symptoms and family history I also work in a cancer hospital so I see lots of cases s of bowel cancer!Its definitely worth going to the test for anyone worried better to be safe than sorry!My brother was diagnosed with stage 2 and his only symptom was tummy Pain and loose stools on and off!

Bowel cancer symptoms can be mild and if caught early can be cured!To anyone worrying about the procedure honestly it was fine would do it all again in a heartbeat!Its easily treated when caught early but caught late it’s a horrible cancer to have!Its also a cancer associated with older people but if your worried and have symptoms see your GP if your fobed off with IBS keep pushing as symptoms are very similar and we have cases daily of young people the youngest case I have seen was19!My brother was fobed off for 6 months luckily enough after 6th GP visit he demanded colonoscopy and had stage 2 which was treated and he’s fine if he listened to the doctor and just accepted it was IBS this story could have been very different!Trust your instincts you know your own body!

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  • Welcome to the forum RMT2011.

    I noticed no-one had replied yet so I just wanted to stop by and thank you for sharing your experience with us.

    I'm glad it went well and that the hospital staff made you feel comfortable throughout. Plus it's great that your results came back normal as well.

    We have quite a lot of posts on the forum from members asking about this procedure so I have no doubt your post will be a massive help to others waiting for their appointments to have this done.

    All the best, 

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi

    Having had a Colonoscopy yesterday my only reference to pain caused by the procedure was from my mother in law, no sedation (she likes to talk!) and my father in law, not a lover of hospitals so took sedation (also likes value for money so anything free!).

    After a chat with the nursing staff in which they pointed out individuals pain thresholds are different, I woud say if you are concerned then the sedation is probably best. I was offered sedation or gas and air, given the choices I went for gas and air, and was told if needed sedation would be given.

    As it happened I didn't use either during the procedure, the discomfort was minor, the same as the blood pressure thing on my arm in my opinion.

    For me it was well worth being aware of the process and understanding what was seen 'live' rather than trying to understand from the photos.

  • Thanks for the input, have a colonoscopy next week, and really do not want to tell family or friends, just want to do this on my own, we family have history of bowel cancer, means I want to just have clarity for  myself.without the worry of my family knowing...this is precautionary...but will opt for gas and air, and take taxi back and forth...to be honest it is more stress with family sometimes..

  • Thank you for putting your post on here, it's give me comfort for getting mine done on the 7, of February, I only want the gas and air, but I'm really stressed out with it all and scared. 

    Ps I'm so pleased yours went well for you 

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