Would you go through colonoscopy unsedated?

[Ross]

For those of you that have had the procedure done, would you consider having it done unsedated?

 

[twinmaker]

Ross, I had my first one done about a year and a half ago. They had to turn off my pacemaker/defibrillator for it, and therefore, my heart rate dropped pretty low (in the 40's). Duh!! Anyway, because of this, they didn't give me as much sedative as they give most people. These days, I hear people saying they don't remember anything. My husband said he didn't remember anything or feel anything. I remember some discomfort (more like pain, but just moments here and there). I could hear them talking, etc. My father has had to have them done for years, sometime every year. Years ago, he said they hardly gave a patient anything, and he said they were pretty bad. Sorry, I don't want to scare you out of getting one. They are very important tests, and I feel strongly about people getting them. I've lost two close friends to colon cancer. They were in their fifties. That's it for my sermon. I suspect from your question that the docs have recommended one for you because of your GI bleed? Let me know what's going on. LINDA

 

[Guest]

I had a prostate biopsy unsedated. They go in the same orifice but they stab through the wall of the intestine about 12 times into the prostate. Dragging the needle thing around in there was uncomfortable too. I don't know if I would go so far as to recommend it, but it can be survived.

 

[Kathleen]

Had one in January and nope would not do one without some calming aids. Like Linda I have an ICD and they can have some issues so they just gave me a little sedation and from what I remember I was not very calm. They called the rep down to stand outside the door while they did it which allowed them to not have to turn the ICD down since I am 100% dependant. Also make sure they had a bag of antibiotics during the procedure.
Kathleen

 

[Ross]

I'm supposed to make an appointment for 6 weeks from recovery of this last bout to have one done. I'm not thrilled at all and even less thrilled about how ACT will be carried out. Need to talk with my Cardio and get him together with the butt man. Buttman says he can't do mine sedated, but PCP says OH YES HE CAN and that he wouldn't do it without sedation.

 

[twinmaker]

Kathleen, I too am pacemaker dependant though I think only 98% dependant. I guess there was enough of my A-V node left for a beat to keep going, at least for a little. The Medtronic rep was there for the whole thing. Ross, it seems like the consenus from the group so far is to at least have some sedation. I wouldn't take no for an answer concerning the sedation. For people like you, Kathleen, and me, they probably don't like to use sedation, but we have feelings too. And I don't mean just the emotional kind! LINDA

 

[catwoman]

Ross:

My PCP, cardiologist & GI guy all say a colonoscopy can be done while patient is fully anticoagulated. They don't want to touch me unless I am on warfarin; if something is found, they'd deal with that (an encore, with Lovenox, heparin drip, etc.).

Good luck......

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi ross,
i had my first done this year and although the doc told me he was giving me "twilight" sedation, i don't remember a single thing! it was a piece of cake (except the iv in my arm_ i can't stand those!).
i can't imagine doing it without some type of sedation. they gave joey versed with something else when he had his done over a year ago.
it is a mighty important test to take. maybe ask what the least amount of sedative you can take that would still be effective?
be well and get that well needed rest!!!!!!
-sylvia

 

[Nan]

I think sedation is needed...even with it during my first one I let out a couple of ooomphs....the last one (after which I did have a GI Bleed) I was out totally...that is the way to do it.

Ross, perhaps you need to get the two or three docs together about this. And another altenative might be to ask your PCP for a referral to another gastro who will work with your situation and is willing to use sedation.

MIne wouldn't do it on warfarin, but I (after an argument and a call to my cardio) was bridged with Lovenox. As I remember you can't take that, but I think it is better to go with the Heparin anyway....doesn't Al say that there is more risk of bleeding with the Lovenox? I think so.

Take care,

 

[bvdr]

I had mine while in the hospital for the ischemic colitis about 2 1/2 years ago and had versed(concious sedation). I remember parts of it and do remember some pain and pressure. I wouldn't want to do it without sedation but I don't know that I couldn't. I guess the other question is what they are the options if they find something. If you wouldn't be physically able to go through any of the options than knowing just for the sake of knowing seems to benefit the medical minds rather than the patient's. I didn't have the colonoscopy because of a bleed but rather the abdominal pain and an abnormal cat scan. The bleed I had was about a year later and that was followed up by the EGD. I had concious sedation for that too. I was fully anti-coagulated for the EGD but was on Lovenox except for one dose held and the next one delayed a little for the colonoscopy. I did have biopsies taken on the colonoscopy but not with the EGD.

 

[geebee]

The last one I had was done as an inpatient with heparin bridging. I would never do that again. If I have another one it will be on ACT and I will have another one if anything is found.
As far as having one non-sedated - no way. Even while "out" I still remember some very bad pain while they (according to what the doctor was saying during the pain) went around curves. It was awful and I was sedated.

 

[Nancy]

I've had a couple of them. The first one was with light sedation. Some discomfort. Had some minute abrasions that were looked at. At a follow up in the doctor's office, had another look-see. He definitely went up higher than a sigmoidoscope. He went around a couple of bowel turns, and this one was without any sedation. It was horrible. He kept telling me to take some deep breaths--right--that didn't do one thing for me. What did do something for me was to fire the SOB.

The next one was with another doctor. I asked if I could watch, thinking I could get something to take the edge off enough to be comfortable, but still see the screen. He said,, "sure, if you promise not to swear at me. " So I said, "OK, put my lights out"

I don't recommend doing it without sedation of some kind. They blow air into you and the expansion of the bowel is painful, plus going around those turns is extremely painful.

Be kind to yourself, and go to la-la land.

 

[Natanni]

If it were me, I would get sedated Ross. Out of the hundreds of colonoscopies I have helped with, less than 10 were without sedation. If you are going to consider doing this anticoagulated with coumadin, I would definaltey get sedated. It isn't always just the removing of a polyp that is the issue with bleeding, there is risk of perforation. In those that I saw that had no meds on board, the scope has more tension and is more difficult (high chance of a perforation). Ask the surgeon about that. Good luck!

 

[tommy]

Some of my most pleasant moments in life have been counting down from 100. I asked the anesthesiologist (or was it the anesthetist?) if they could let me count down to 90.

 

[azpam]

I am a nurse and would recommend versed/light sedation. yes there are doctors out there that still do it without anything. i agree with Nancy-they are SOB's and cruel.With today's medication,even mild doses of versed/light sedations shouldn't be a problem. Your buttman should be able to deal with light sedation. Get firm and demand something!

 

[Ross]

I am a nurse and would recommend versed/light sedation. yes there are doctors out there that still do it without anything. i agree with Nancy-they are SOB's and cruel.With today's medication,even mild doses of versed/light sedations shouldn't be a problem. Your buttman should be able to deal with light sedation. Get firm and demand something!

I'm demanding NOT TO KNOW A THING! I have problems simply entering the hospital after my last surgery. It took mild sedation in the ER just to get me to calm down and breath. They done messed me up for life in 2002!

 

[perkicar]

For those of you that have had the procedure done, would you consider having it done unsedated?

No how no way would I go through one unsedated. I was waking up at the end of my last one and remember being pretty darn uncomfortable. Even if y ou've got the pain tolerance of a manly man, (LOL), I would at the very least want some versed. I think my last one I got fentanyl (or maybe demarol) and versed. I don't remember anything about the first one in 2003. I liked that alot better!!!

Drugs are your friend!

 

[denobobeno]

Ross,
The two I had I was three sheets to the wind! I wouldn't do it any other way! What does Buttman think you are??? Superman? You've had enough grief lately!
xxooDeana

 

[Ross]

Buttman is oriental and next to the Cardologists, he too thinks he is a God. Dr. Yung! All I can say is he had better treat mine as if it were his own or his will be next and unsedated at that!

 

[catwoman]

Ross:

My mom has had many colonoscopies since the fall of 1977, when she had colon cancer surgery. I remember her groaning about an upcoming cscope, and I'll bet they didn't anesthetize very much back then. The last several she's had, she's been sedated pretty much for.