Question Colonoscopy without Anesthesia?

[Akimbo]

I have to get a colonoscopy late this year and have read that a few people refuse anesthesia. This will my 4th colonoscopy. It would be nice not to have driving restrictions after the procedure since I live hours away and will be 75 years old. I recently read that some people have the procedure without anesthesia and it's not "that" uncomfortable. I have had a two bone marrow and two prostate biopsies without anesthesia and was fine with them so seem to be reasonably pain tolerant.

Comments and suggestions?

Ping: @rsingler and @Compressor

 

[The Chairman]

You are a better man than I am, Gunga Din! Give me anesthesia while being violated, please!

 

[rongoodman]

The drugs are the best part!

 

[MB NZ]

I'm an anaesthetist (anaesthesiologist in American). Everyone has different tolerances to discomfort as you suggest. That said, most people would have sedation for this procedure and some would have general anaesthesia because they can't tolerate it under sedation. You would not be able to drive after either for 24 hours. A friend and colleague (also an anaesthetist) had a colonoscopy without sedation and said he felt like he had been raped! The choice is yours.

 

[tursiops]

I have to get a colonoscopy late this year and have read that a few people refuse anesthesia. This will my 4th colonoscopy. It would be nice not to have driving restrictions after the procedure since I live hours away and will be 75 years old. I recently read that some people have the procedure without anesthesia and it's not "that" uncomfortable. I have had a two bone marrow and two prostate biopsies without anesthesia and was fine with them so seem to be reasonably pain tolerant.

Comments and suggestions?

Ping: @rsingler and @Compressor

Sedation. please. La La Land is fun to visit.

 

[Akimbo]

That said, most people would have sedation for this procedure...

How fast acting is the sedation? Could it be administered after the procedure began if it became intolerable?

I had sedation during my previous procedures but can't remember a thing. Odd as it may sound, I would like to watch the video and hear the conversation without my memory being erased before my lights come back on.

 

[RIHappyDiver]

My wife has had both of her’s without anesthesia. They placed a cath both times in case she decided she would rather be under. She states that, at worst, the pain was akin to stomach cramps. She may have meant menstrual cramps, in which case most men should not choose this option, .

I’m due for one and a considering this route.

Erik

 

[-JD-]

I did mine with no anesthesia, no sedation, no cath.

Not that bad really. Uncomfortable occasionally going around bends but tolerable.

Drove myself there and back.

All told, the prep was worse.

 

[Anbaric Cog]

In colonoscopies as in painting…it’s all about the prep!

Good luck with whichever you choose

 

[MB NZ]

How fast acting is the sedation? Could it be administered after the procedure began if it became intolerable?

I had sedation during my previous procedures but can't remember a thing. Odd as it may sound, I would like to watch the video and hear the conversation without my memory being erased before my lights come back on.

Intravenously administered sedative drugs work almost immediately. Following discussion with whoever is administering your sedation (not necessarily an anaesthetist/anaesthesiologist), you could have it on an as needed basis. I do this on regularly for various procedures. Timing is more difficult with orally administered sedatives, so not really possible from a practical perspective.

Midazolam, a benzodiazepine is commonly as used as a sedative drug. One of it's properties is that it causes amnesia. Most anaesthetists and patients would regard this as a benefit, but if it's something you don't want, then discuss with the person administering sedation. All sedative drugs cause loss of consciousness at some point. Obviously, if you're not conscious, you won't remember.

On a personal note, I had an oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) a few years ago. It's generally considered to be less well tolerated in conscious patients than a colonoscopy. I had the drugs and remember nothing. It was great!