Is Colonoscopy Painful? Do They Put You to Sleep? Posted: 07-23-04 19:48pm
I haven't even seen the doctor yet so I
don't know the situation but what is the
process? Is it painful?
Sorry I can't seem to focus on anything
but this right now. I posted my problem
in a thread below.
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cherry_pie
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 Jan 2004 Posts: 599
Posted: 07-23-04 20:32pm
From what ive ever read about that, I
don't believe they put you to sleep. And
I don't think its as painful as it is
uncomfortable. I really wouldn't worry so
much about it.
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j0hn
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 3
Posted: 07-23-04 21:19pm
Ok thanks
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sandyallen
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Feb 2004 Posts: 4580
Posted: 07-23-04 22:37pm
I have seen it done and had it done, yes
they will put you to sleep unless you
prefer not to be, but, I recommend(sp)
being knocked out and your won't remember
a thing, you will be a little groggy and
sore afterwards and they should give you a
picture and explain what they found, if
anything, if they do find something minor,
they will fix it while you are out!
Sincerely,
sandy
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MegEve
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 353 Location: Alabama
Posted: 07-25-04 19:03pm
Hey john! You aren't technically put to
sleep, but they will give you something
that will make you "loo loo!" and you will
not remember anything that goes on. A
colonoscopy is not as bad as people say.
The worst thing is drinking the stuff the
day before. If you have anymore
questions, feel free to ask!
Megan
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donaldsell
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Fulton, Missouri, United States
Posted: 04-17-07 15:30pm
My father just got a colonoscopy done.
This was about 1 week ago from 04/17/07.
When the doctor came back and told us that
he had one small pulup and a small
hemorode which didnt mean much, we were
both extremly happy. Before and currently
though he still has lots of blood comming
from his stools. We both wonder if there
might be something else causing the bloody
stools problem. He called the doctor and
they said that he should just drink more
medamusele, because it was just the small
hemroid causing him the bloody stool
problem. Any questions or comments would
be much appreciated. Thanks.
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parakeets
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Cambridge
Most Painful Medical Procedure of My Life Posted: 07-06-07 14:19pm
I had a colonoscopy in 2001 and it was the
most painful and traumatic medical
procedure of my life. I was writhing in
agony, thrashing about on the surgical
table, even though I had been given Versed
and Demerol. The gastroenterologist then
had me restrained in a surgical restraint
garment and continued with the procedure
against my wishes. I was screaming for
him to stop. He ignored me. I had trauma
for months afterwards. I could not get
any support in my legal case against him,
since this was considered a "routine
colonoscopy." There is a lot of
information going around that
colonoscopies are painless. That simply
is not true. If they were, why are they
performed under strong pain killers? I
want to let other patients know what is
considered a "routine colonoscopy." If I
had known, it would have been more easy
for me to deal with what happened. If at
all possible, avoid a colonoscopy. I am
not referring to the preparation. That
was nothing compared to the trauma of
going through excruciating pain while I
was restrained. Shame on the medical
profession.
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sillyakchick
Supporter
Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 2688
Thanks: 5
Thanked:0
Re: Most Painful Medical Procedure of My Life Posted: 07-06-07 14:40pm
parakeets
wrote:
I had a colonoscopy in 2001
and it was the most painful and traumatic
medical procedure of my life. I was
writhing in agony, thrashing about on the
surgical table, even though I had been
given Versed and Demerol. The
gastroenterologist then had me restrained
in a surgical restraint garment and
continued with the procedure against my
wishes. I was screaming for him to stop.
He ignored me. I had trauma for months
afterwards. I could not get any support
in my legal case against him, since this
was considered a "routine colonoscopy."
There is a lot of information going around
that colonoscopies are painless. That
simply is not true. If they were, why are
they performed under strong pain killers?
I want to let other patients know what is
considered a "routine colonoscopy." If I
had known, it would have been more easy
for me to deal with what happened. If at
all possible, avoid a colonoscopy. I am
not referring to the preparation. That
was nothing compared to the trauma of
going through excruciating pain while I
was restrained. Shame on the medical
profession.
wow, that is
terrible! You must have some strange
reaction to the Versed. Have you had it
before? It is an amnesia drug, which is
why they give it for these procedures, so
that you won't remember anything
afterward. I have had several of these
procedures, and thankfullly I never
experienced what you refer to, but I did
read the report after my last endoscopy
during which it stated that I did similar
things, but thankfully I have no
recollection of it. You are correct that
it is not painless, thus the medications.
I am so sorry you had such an awful
experience. Other patients have reported
being awake during surgical procedures,
yet paralyzed, and being able to remember
the whole thing afterward. I wonder if
that is similar to your experience?
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lindh
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 21 Jul 2007 Posts: 1 Location: NE
Colonoscopy Posted: 07-21-07 08:11am
My wife had some rectal bleeding and her
md recommended a colonoscopy. The prep
used was a phosphate. Two days before the
procedure, the hospital called and said
she should come in at 9am on the day of
the procedure. Since the procedure was
scheduled at 12:30pm, she asked why the
early appointment and was told that enemas
would be required and it would take about
3 hours. She went in at 9am and was given
6 two quart enemas over a period of three
hours. Actually only 5 because during the
last enema she began vomiting from the
pain and cramps and the procedure was
abandoned. We later asked if there had
been anything unusual about her case that
required so many enemas. We were told that
it was routine! We checked with other
patients and they reported the same
procedure. One of them actually got up and
walked out.
She swears she'll never have another
colonoscopy. Turned out that the bleeding
was from internal hemorroids. Needless to
say, after seeing what happened to her,
I'll not be scheduling this procedure
either. We both in our 70s.
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kenish
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Dec 2007 Posts: 1
First Colonoscopy Posted: 12-29-07 00:04am
I had my first preventive routine
colonoscopy today. Bottom line,
everything looked great, and the doctor
joked "This looks so healthy you're going
to put me out of business".
When I arrived, the nurse confirmed that I
wanted sedation. I was going to ask them
about it, because I read several studies
concluded that 60-70% of people who had
colonoscopies with and without sedation
preferred no sedation. I said it was not
presented as an option during the
consultation last week. The nurse said
she had experienced one both ways and
preferred no sedation. For her, the pain
was similar to bad cramps that accompany
diarrhea. She also said I could change my
mind during the procedure if things got
too uncomfortable (but made sure I had a
ride arranged).
I decided to go without. Her description
was very accurate; there were cramps but
they lasted only 10-20 seconds. This
happened 3 or 4 times as the scope was
pushed around bends. The doctor cautioned
when I would feel cramping, and was
constantly looking and asking to make sure
I was reasonably comfortable. The
withdrawl is when they take more time and
have a good look, it is painless, just a
few odd sensations.
Everyone is different when it comes to
pain thresholds and discomfort, but I am
very glad I went without sedation. We
could leave the place immediately, and
could enjoy a celebratory glass of cab
when we got home.
Here's what I learned:
- Strongly consider (or even insist) on
opting out of sedation. If they won't
allow it, consider a different doctor.
I'm guessing a skilled and experienced
doctor will be OK with no sedation (see
below).
- The laxative they used was McKesson
saline laxative. It tastes strange but
not bad, and you just take it with 8oz of
liquid followed by 16oz of water. Not as
bad as other types I've read about. I did
have a few minutes of dry heaves.
- Since I was fully aware and awake, I
could tell the comfort level depends on
the skill of the doctor and assistant in
guiding the scope. Perhaps that is why
some posts in this forum report a very bad
experience.
- Bring along food, you will be craving
something to eat as soon as you're
released. A banana and granola bar never
tasted better!
