Colonoscopy without meds?

[ab123]

My GI doc has agreed to do a colonoscopy on Monday without any drugs - part of my annual screening. Having it without drugs should hopefully allow me to enjoy the rest of my day and not feel completely confused and intoxicated. Has anyone else tried this? My previous ones have all been under "twilight" conditions. I always hate trying to remember what they told me while in that weird dream state. Makes me feel confused and I hate it, plus I get a hangover - so trying this. I'll report back how it goes.

[Coppercent]

I had my very first colonoscopy where they found my cancer without meds. I actually liked it like that so I could see what I was facing. Plus I found it really interesting to watch the procedure on the big screen tv.

[jgall]

I understand in some other countries (I believe China is one) they don't use sedation for it. From what I remember reading, it's safe (maybe safer because of no anesthesia), and can be done with little to no discomfort or pain. Please report back, I'd love to hear how it goes. Next time I do one, i may consider it. I have a very hard time with coming out of anesthesia!

Julia

[megan120]

I attempted a flex sig without sedation...I didn't make it through the rectal exam! You are far stronger than me if you are able to do it without meds!

[DBF]

I had a flex sig with no sedation. The GI resident told me I wouldn't experience any discomfort. During the procedure I had the medical assistant call him in, and I let him know how inaccurate his information was. I got through most of it, but it was uncomfortable- not painful, but very unpleasant.

I don't think I'd ever get a colonoscopy without sedation. I'm a big fan of Propofol, too- I wake up from it feeling very alert and refreshed.

[KWT]

I did it without. I don't know why looking back. You're probably not gonna feel like running a a marathon after eitherway

[bitchslapped]

I'M W/DBF...I wouldn't even consider it w/o something. Even w/the IV sedation I have had some discomfort w/colonoscopy (@ least one of them) same doc. GI doc told me women have more bowel or switchbacks, IDK. I've had 3, 2 w/IV sedation. last one w/Propofol. Propofol the best. Either one, you snap out of it pretty quickly.

Bitchslapped.

[betsydoglover]

Try propofol - has to be administered by an anesthesiologist, so docs who do the scope outside of an outpatient surgical center usually can't use it. But, with it, you awake refreshed and very alert.

I, personally, could never do a scope without meds - the trick is the right meds.

[John72]

My cancer was discovered with a flex sig without sedation. I have a pretty high pain tolerance and I was screaming pretty loud. It was painful, and due to the tumor I was hemerrouging afterwards for quite a while.

Never ever again having anything in my butt without meds first.

[canadiandaughter]

Im not sure what they gave me, but I was NOT out and I watched the whole thing but did not feel a thing. I watched them remove my polyp. I had an IV. After it was over I went shopping and then we drove home 3 hours. I was fine. It was 4 years ago, so can't recall what it was, but am going again soon so will be sure to ask this time around.

[mm66ny]

Yes, the last few times without. My doc suggested it because it's now more of a straight shot. I wouldn't say I "enjoyed" the rest of my day each time, but the day wasn't shot. It wasn't that big of a deal and I appreciated being able to see what was going on on the screen and the doc explaining everything, although every once in a while something would come floating through the screen that made me think the scope was passing by some of the smaller moons of the outer planetary solar system. Seriously. It was like "what the hell is that!"

[Vegas]

I tried to find a doctor in Vegas that would perform a colonoscopy without sedation. I called 5 different offices and not one would consider it. Please do update us on whether you would recommend it or do it again.

[ab123]

Did it this morning. Easy peasy. If you can handle a doc's finger up your butt and a little gas cramping then you shouldn't have a problem. At least that's my experience. I know others have different anatomy and lots of other issues, but for me, it was truly easy. It was 20 minutes, I got an anatomy lesson from the doc, and I was on my way - drove to work. Oh and also - no polyps or recurrence! So in general, a good day in the endoscopy department.

[ab123]

Update on this thread: I had another colonoscopy this week (about 2 years later) without drugs and again, it really didn't hurt. Yes it was uncomfortable for a couple minutes when they inflated the colon a bit on the way in, but not very bad. You just need to breathe deeply a couple times - it's just like having bad gas cramps for a second or two.

The thing I was thinking about this week was how unpleasant the two colonoscopies I had with Versed and Fentanyl were. Especially for this community, the things the doctor tells you during and after the exam are very important, perhaps some of the most important things anyone will ever say to you. For me, having those moments be barely remembered dreams was very disconcerting. Those drugs make me very confused and mess with memory in an unpleasant way, and I really want to be present in those important moments.

So while taking these drugs may reduce the slight cramping sensation for a few minutes and make it so you may not have to cringe momentarily when the doctor sticks the scope up your butt, the side effects are huge for me: confusion, poor memory, inability to drive, go to work, or do anything the rest of the day. To me it's not much of a choice and the drugs are truly terrible. I don't know why the option of going without sedation is not given to most people.

Here's an article on the topic which I also found interesting: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3109467/

[SEWHAPPY]

When i had my colonoscopy i was chatting with the techs and they said some people choose no drugs for religious reasons. Interesting, but i was glad of the meds and felt fine afterwards.