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Is Colonoscopy Painful? Do They Put You to Sleep?

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j0hn

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Jul 2004
Posts: 3
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. Shocked
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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

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Joined: 12 Apr 2007
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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.


Shocked 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!
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