I have been having bright red blood when I go to the bathroom, along with increased fatigue and enlarged lymph nodes in the inguinal area. Saw a GI doc this week and now have a colonoscopy scheduled for Monday. He offered me the choice of sedation (with propofol) vs NO sedation (so I can watch the procedure on the screen as it is being done). He said he had his colonoscopy without sedation and “it was not too bad”. Anybody else on here ever had a colonoscopy without sedation?
sedation
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with for my last. my wife had colon cancer 14 years ago.
good luck and ho ho ho merry christmass Thom
agreed
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Just had one done with what they called “conscious sedation”. I slept thru the entire procedure.
done that! sedated
It really depends on your doc’s skills. I’m a gastroenterologist and do them routinely with conscious sedation. I’ve never had to use propofol. A few times a month I’ll have someone request no sedation. It’s no big deal, really. I’ve had mine done without sedation because my schedule is busy and I’ve got lots of things I’d rather do than sleep off conscious sedation.
That said, if you’re anxious or have a low tolerance for pain, opt for the conscious sedation. Most people tell you they were sound asleep when really, they were watching or talking the whole time and then the Versed amnesia kicks in and they don’t remember a thing.
Another option is to have him start the procedure without and if you feel it’s too much have someone with you so that you can be sedated. Propofol is overkill for colonoscopy.
Definitely sedation of some kind. They may be offering sedation with propofol by an anesthesia provider vs IV sedation with versed administered by a nurse(but ordered by gastroenterologist). By being on this site I assume you are in better health than the average American so either would be fine. IV sedation by a nurse would be cheaper vs propofol by anesthesia provider. The sedation by anesthesia provider would likely be better quality.
Just had one done with what they called “conscious sedation”. I slept thru the entire procedure.
x2
best nap I had in a long time
I push Propofol (Diprivan) for a living and sleep alot of patients for endoscopy procedures. Procedure would be more comfortable with Diprivan, but I see patients frequently choose to under-go procedure sans sedation. If you have a skilled endoscopist and if you have a colon that is relatively straight the experience won’t be too bad. The colon can be more tortuous if you have had previous abdominal surgery. Try it without sedation and have a CRNA standing by with meds if the procedure becomes too uncomfortable.
I agree with roubaixman. I’ve had two done with no sedation, the last one with no IV. Does it hurt? Some, and there a couple times when it really “gets your attention.” But, we’ve all had times in triathlon where we’ve been really uncomfortable. This is a lot like that but it lasts less than 20 minutes, and when you’re done you’re out the door and back into life rather than waiting for the effects of sedation to resolve. You can drive immediately. That said, it hurt enough that I watched the screen for maybe 30 seconds…then it was time for Lamaze.
When it’s time for my next one, it’ll be without any sedation. Listen to your doc and, together, make the decision that’s right for you. Good luck.
John
Take the sedation.
My first one was without what a nightmare and humiliation (upside down position, straight tube, well it felt like a straight tube insertion) with a few inches to go I called it quits. The last 3 have been sedated, pleasant except for the preparation the night before the procedure. Good luck!
I’ve also got one scheduled for the end of January, with conscious sedation. I was advised I can not drive. But the docs office is literally not more than a half mile walk home through a parking lot, 1/4 mile down a bike path and then into my neighborhood and down my street. With conscious sedation - could I just walk home? or do I need to arrange for a ride, which will be a hassle.
I had one last month and I doubt I could have walked home immediately. I was pretty unsteady on my feet. In my case they would not have allowed me to do the procedure without my wife signing off that she would drive me home. If you say you are walking I bet they will be confused because they do not have a form for walking.
The GI doc said I could start without sedation and a CRNA would be present. If it became too uncomfortable then they would give the Propofol. I like the propofol idea because it works quickly and wears off very quickly. My wife had a colonoscopy/EGD done and had fentanyl/versed and she slept all day after the procedure was done.
I’m not nervous/scared about the colonoscopy but the prep scares me shitless.
given this isn’t remotely triathlon-related, can we agree to move this to the Lavender room so you can dicuss colons etc with other like-minded individuals who want to discuss non-triathlon things? I have enough trouble explaining slowtwitch to my wife without her reading “colonoscopy without sedation” over my shoulder.
Sincerely,
The entire Slowtwitch Commmunity and the rest of the world who doesnt want to talk about your ass.
I ended up here as I thought that the subject line was an open offer rather than a request for information.
I’m not nervous/scared about the colonoscopy but the prep scares me shitless.
I just had to quote that for posterity. I think that is pretty much the idea of the prep 
For the record, why on earth would you not want IV sedation?! Can do without the fentanyl, but nothing wrong with a little Versed before going back and some Margarita drip (Diprivan/propofol) during. Personally, I’d think any surgeon would likely do his/her job better not having to worry about the discomfort of the procedure.
Don’t go the outpatient approach with Dr. Conrad Murray
had an uncle that was into this sort of thing.
He always showed up at christmas with his “good friend”.
if you’re going to stick anything bigger than my wife’s pinky up my ass, then damnit, you’d better knock me out.