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.

Ok thanks

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

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

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.

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?

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.

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!

I have Ulcerative Colitis and now they are thinking Crohns. I have had around 15 scopes and they are not bad. The worst part is the prep. My first one I was 16- I am now 27. They seem to get easier thru the years too. My very first one I was awake during- the rest I made sure to tell them to knock me out as much as possible. The worst pain for me is the gas after- they pump air in you to open you up...you have to just forget about being embarrassed and let it go...it feels much better after that!

I am having a colonoscopy this week but just diagnosed with a upper respitatory infection. Really I just have a runny nose and my chest is clear. Should I cancel my colonoscopy?

Call them and they will be able to tell you if you should keep your appt or cancel...

I'm having a colonoscopy in two days, and I'm about to start the preperation procedure in 2 hours and 12 minutes. >_< I'm 15, and I'm so freaking out almost. I've never stepped into a hospital for anything medical, I've never had IVs, I can't imagine an "artificial sleep." I don't wanna drink the stuff they gave me. And on top of that, I get to imagine a tube going down my mouth! And then up my butt! I don't like the thoughts about this. >_< I hope this finishes everything and I don't have to go back. =[ I've been bleeding for over a year now, but I didn't tell my mom until about 11 months. (I think) I'm so scared about being embarassed and what people will think. =[

If a tear is found in your colon, how do they fix it? Apparently if they find one, they would bring a surgeon in. Would they have to cut me open, or would they use the intruments through the tube?

Hi oboeGirlz012
I had a colonoscopy done last Friday (6-5-09) Yes they will put you to sleep, you will not remember any thing til it is done. There will be no pain associated with it. They found something in my colon which required removal, and they removed it with the intruments through the tube. There were no cancer or such like found in my colon, but just a tear or something. They will tell you before they put to sleep that they will pump some air in you and you will be passing a lot of gas for a few minutes after you are awakened. The worst part about the whole yhing is drinking the stuff the day before. If you have any more questions, you can pm. me.

My husband and I both had this done last year...It is a very simple procedure...The worst part is the medication you have to take beforehand...You feel or know nothing...No tubes or feeling anything...Good luck...

Does it really taste THAT bad? I'm gonna try to take HUGE gulps to get it over with. I'm usually NOT good with liquid medications. When I was little, it probably took me an hour to take a tablespoon of cold medication.

Hold your nose when you swallow it...I think we all have this problem...But, think of all the good that they are doing with this testing...Believe me, years ago it was much more difficult than it is now...They used to keep you awake instead of letting you sleep..Nowadays, it is nothing...Just a little bit of bad tasting medicine and it is all over...You will do just fine...

Hi I had this done a few months ago..Like Caroline said worst part is the drink..It has a bad taste..Doing quick big gulps is what I did to get it done quickly..I was put to sleep after being given a muscle relaxer and off to la la land..I woke up feeling fine..They found a few polyps that were benign..You'll do fine..

Whatever the reson for this test on you be sure to follow through.
kd

I had a colonoscopy yesterday....I had been putting it off for years. (Suffering from IBS meant the doctors didn't insist I had one, it was more a case of me needing to put my mind at rest.) I had chickened out of two previously. Anyway it finally happened and it wasn't that bad, and the best news..my bowel was fine. I did faint when I had the IV put in!!!My blood pressure dropeed so low, they talked about rearranging it. Thank goodness they did not! I didn't think I could stand the prep again. The evening prep-though hard work was not as bad as the morning one, having to do it all over again was so disheartening. I think it did help that I had very light meals on the 1st day of the prep.No cramping or anything. The procedure itself is a different story. After the fainting thing they were light on the drugs I think , and I remember writhing around groaning at one point on the last bend. Whether I have a low pain threshold or the Nurse was a bit heavy handed I do not know...but the whole team I had were so nice..and when I did have pain they gave me more sedatives/pain killers. I think if you are worried I would make sure you are fully sedated. I was actually worried about being sedated, but it was actually quite nice!! If you are sedated fully, you only have to handle the prep and the IV (not scary to your average person, I'm just a bit of a baby with needles!)... and normally the wind afterwards. (uncharacteristically I didn't have much!!)Hope it all went well for you.