colonoscopy pain relief

[LadyLawson]

I have paroxysmal AF. I’m having a colonoscopy and can choose from sedation or gas and air for pain relief. Which is safer for AF? Many thanks in advance.

[meadfoot]

I had a colonoscopy last month and I was given both. The sedation and gas and air were both fine. I didnt even have hint of Afib. Best wishes.

[LadyLawson in reply to meadfoot]

thanks - very reassuring

[BobD Volunteer]

Never had any problems.

[LadyLawson in reply to BobD]

thanks - I’m going to have sedation I think.

[pd63 in reply to LadyLawson]

Went without, still waiting 2nd colonoscopy appt to remove some tiny polyps, although I ceased my apixabsn the day before as advised the doc wouldn't take em off, he said no apixaban for 2 days, tried twisting his arm but he refused, so gotta go back, apixaban has shorthalf life didn't see the issue myself, watched the whole yhing on the screen.The worst part is the moviprep laxative, nuclear diarrhea basically, aaaarrrrggghhh!

[LadyLawson in reply to pd63]

Thanks. I will do as instructed with Edoxaban. I’m going to have sedation - it was pretty unpleasant when I had a colonoscopy without it some years ago.

[mrgwair567]

I had sedation and gas and air with no problems ! Take care. I’m sure all will be well

[LadyLawson in reply to mrgwair567]

thanks!

[Dave678]

I’ve had 4 colonoscopies now (family history etc) + all with no sedation. Nice to watch on monitor + no problems with pain etc even when polyps been cut off etc. Everyone’s different though! PS…you will prob have to stop your Edoxaban for a couple of days prior.

[LadyLawson in reply to Dave678]

thanks Dave. Looks like I’ll be fine. I’m going to have the sedation.

[Dave678 in reply to LadyLawson]

Great stuff + hope all goes well.

[SuziElley]

I had one this week? Because my asthma has been out of control I couldn’t have entinox anyway so was sedated. You’re monitored throughout so should be quite safe. I chose sedation as had a bad experience with a previous colonoscopy at a different hospital. Musgrove in Taunton couldn’t have been kinder

[LadyLawson in reply to SuziElley]

reassuring thanks. Yes my last one was horrible so I will take full advantage of the sedation.

[john-boy-92]

Is it a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy? I've had a sigmoidoscopy with gas and, without gas or sedation - not a problem. With one colonoscopy, the sedation needle fell out and they had to stop the procedure because of the pain. With sedation I haven't had any pain or discomfort - 20mm flat polyp that they had to break up at the top of the large intestine amongst others. The usual tree polyp removal should be fine. The 20mm flat polyp was OK until the scab gave way seven days later and I passed quite a bit of foul smelling blood (I was back on Pradaxa at the time). With sedation, no driving or signing important documents for 24 hours.

[LadyLawson in reply to john-boy-92]

thanks John - this is helpful. It’s a colonoscopy and the last time it was very unpleasant and sore. So I’m going to opt for sedation.

[john-boy-92]

Ask them to tape the sedation needle and the tube to your arm, otherwise it can fall out as you roll on to your side; that's what happened to me. The sedative is two drugs, one of them is fentanyl which is similar but more powerful than morphine. After the procedure had to be stopped, the next time they upped the dose as they thought I had a low pain threshold (they hadn't realised the needle had fellen out). To say I didn't feel it is an understatement: I fell asleep! Also ask that a trainee doesn't do it; that was advice from a nurse.

[LadyLawson in reply to john-boy-92]

I will take all of this on board thanks. No trainees and the needle taped on. Sound advice.

[Thomas45]

I've had 3 colonoscopies and one sigmoidoscopy over the last 6 years. For 2 and the sigmoidoscopy I had no pains therefore no need for pain relief, for the other colonoscopy I had 30 seconds of pain for which I had gas and air. The worst part of a colonoscopy is having the laxative to empty the colon. The actual procedure is a doddle. Fascinating to watch.

[LadyLawson]

thanks Thomas. I’be been reassured by this reply and the others I have received. Looking forward to getting it done now.