colonoscopy without anesthesia

[vincent33]

I'm considering not having anesthesia before my colonoscopy this week. Has anyone here done that and if so what was it like?

This will be my second colonoscopy and this time I don't want to be groggy for hours afterward as well as would like to see what is going on. Hopefully I'll be able to see the screen.

[ginabeewell]

When I had an appointment with my colon surgeon at MSK, he gave me an impromptu colonoscopy. While I have to admit it was not what I expected, it was way easier to do an enema (my first!) and then have him to a quick exam. No anesthesia.

I don’t recall it being particularly painful or uncomfortable, other than knowing my husband was right behind the curtain!

[Eleda]

Hi there,

I have to have a general anaesthetic now after my resection, but have had 2 previous colonoscopys ( one sigmoid) without anything!!!! I prefer the having nothing, because yes u are very aware and can see what's going on and depending on ur surgeon u can ask questions while having it done.
It didn't bother me pain wise ( the odds jab, turning corners lol)
But it was fine, if that's ur thing " like me" and want to know what's going on at the time I'd say go for it and see ur colon in real-time
Good luck with it
Adele

[NHMike]

I've had two colonoscopies with Propofil where they put me under. These cost more because they have to have an Anesthesiologist present. I had one with Fentynal where you are just barely awake - it's conscious sedation and you don't feel anything. Fentynal is a powerful painkiller but it makes you drowsy too. Are you talking about conscious sedation or no painkillers/anesthesia at all?

[AmyG]

I had my very first colonoscopy while I was wide awake, zero drugs. I watched as they rounded the corner in to my sigmoid and found my primary tumor. 0/10 would not do again. I was pregnant at the time, so drugs weren't an option. About to do another one on Monday, yearly follow up. Will be my second with sedation. I'm all for it, only drawback is someone has to drive me home.

[vincent33]

I just got back home from having the colonoscopy.

It was fascinating watching it live on a big screen. But there were times when it was very painful. Much worse than I expected. But the pain wasn't constant. There were many times of relief.

I'm glad to have had the experience, but I'm not sure if I would do it that way again.

It was nice to not be groggy afterwards. Last time I stayed home all day afterwards. Today I can drive out to the store.

[roadrunner]

I did one with no anesthesia whatsoever and it was totally fine — better than many routine dental appointments (Well, other than the large rectal tumor she found right at the start — that doesn’t usually happen at the dentist!). I understand that it can be more uncomfortable for a small woman (I’m male, 6’2”/180), but honesty, one of the reasons I waited too long for a colonoscopy was concern over the procedure, and that was, frankly, unfortunate. Anesthesia is not standard for this in many countries around the world, and from my experience at least there’s zero reason to use it. A little pressure from time to time, somewhat uncomfortable, nothing more. Of course, everyone is different, just my story.